, 1858-03-19

N--NN~-~N~N
The first Of Ju ~ was one Of the hottest days
Of the season. had long contemplated Fort St
Elmo, high on the crest Of the mountain which
Overhung Naples, as one Of the objects which |
was bound to visit knew and felt that, like
Vesuvius, II was one Of those sights which exer-
else . tyranny over every traveller, not to be
evaded, and which he must see, or hazard his
peacs Of mind forever; but never yet had been
able tn overcome my natural incidence, and to
proceed to Exp ore it. On this morning | rose
with an alarrity and love Of enterprise quite un-
usual to me, and at once determined to ascend
to St Elmo to sec the magnificent Certosini Con-
vent, with the Chiesa di S. Martino, to enjoy the
extensive view which this summit presents, and
to hear the ascending buzz Of the city and its
numerous inhabitants. / Immediately sent to
T, to accompany me; and, after eating a
hearty b eakGast, we took our departure.
Who that has ever mounted the steep, rugged,
and never-ending ascent, will not pity the middle.
aged gentleman Of indOlent habits, seeing sights
for conscience sake, Of no mean size, Cor such l
AMI as he struggled with the difficulties before
him, looking up In dismay at the castle, initiating
and distending his lungs with an action to which
they had long been unaccustomed, until his face
rivallcd the sun in glowing crimsOni
AT length we reached our object We saw
tho sights; admired the beauty Of the church,
and its beautiful pictures BY Spagnoletto; ex.
claimed with rapture at the view, aud heard the
buzz. With my conscience satisfied, and with
my critical observations on all we had seen ready
to be made upon the first favorable opportunity,
| lost no time in descending to whence we came.
By this time It was past meridian. The descent
was very trying upon legs Of forty-fye years
standing; and the tremulOus motion which it
produced upon the muscles only increased the
longing felt to ind myself once more extended
full.length on my sofa at the Victoria.
had taken of my coat, and, lazzaroni. ike,
had thrown il over my shoulder; my neckclOth
was thrust into my waistcOat pocket, and my
neck was bare. l carried my hat on my stick.
using il by way Of parasOl; and, thus accOutred,
| determined 70 make one desperate effort to
brave the heat Of the sun, that was baking tho
pavement Of Santa Lucia, and emitting glare
that acted like burning-glass upon my eyeballs.
As we walked through this ordeal, we passed
close 70 an assembly Of young lazzarOnis, bask.
ing in the sun, near to stall; there they lay, in
the midst Of tish-bones, orange-peels and decayed
melons. We evidently excited their mirth; and
in particular, felt myself privileged to be laughed
at; for what could be more grOtesque than my
appearance? One Of the boys was standing
We had scarcely turned our backs upon them,
when received u blow on the head from melon.
rind; turned about, and Immediately the whole
gang ran off laughing. wOud have followed;
but in truth, was too tired. could scarcely
move but at . slow walk. The boys stopped
and looked At US At length, making virtue
Of necessity, ] called out to the boy who had
thrown the melOn-rind to cone to me; he hes-
tatsd; called agAin-he was evidently puzzled,
and 'uspiciOus OF my intentions; then showed
him carline: Come herr" said ], "snd take
this"
ain the name Of good .ess |" exclaimed T.,
" what are you about !"
"Neyer mind, " said !, stop and see.'
The boy at length took courage, and can = to
me. "Hers," said |, brarO! 6rauisimO! arsIs
JattO bsnsI take this" Upon which, in sur.
prisS. the boy, taking the piece Of money out Of
lmy hand, ran OF in the greatest exultatiOD,