The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-29

The zephyr the hill.
They sid the shone with a softer CLEAN:
II seemed not me-"
From the partial glimpses we have had of
Miss Helen Beale's character, the reader may
have perceived in it tempered undertone of
romance, the joint product, perhaps, of a con-
vent life and of an exuberant and healthy youth.
To this pleasant imaginative vein it is probable
the PdIazzO Cieeo owed the partial restoration
of its Tapestry Chamber" which, under Miss
Beale's supervision, was fitted up as a species
Of general drawing room, where the family
could meet on common ground. The stately
hall, with its unwieldy furniture, was too lofty,
too dismal, too chilly, to suit the young lady's
ideas Of comfort; and, in casting about for
more suitable place, she had found this room,
one of medium size, with heavily -corniced
ceiling, floor ornamented in mosaic, tall mir
rors between the windows, and the windows
themselves set in deep frames that were heavi-
" ornamented in arabesque. The remaining
three sides of the room were hung with tapestry
Of the richest material and pattern, which,
though soiled and faded, retained enough of
its pristine splendor to attract Miss Beale very
ton of the valiant feats Of Andreas DORA be-
fore Venice, and particularly the glorious deeds
Of arms of a young cavaliero, stately and hand
some, who was probably a scion of the house
whose fallen glories were now in possession of
the Beale family. What gave the room an
added charm in Miss Beale's eyes, was the fact
that there was legend attached to it, for the
&c which he uoS indabtad IN he
old Orazio, one of that barelegged gentry
whom George irreverently denominated hang
erson an old retainer, of bent form, and
.wrinkled, chap-fallen visage, mumbing as he
3talked-who had been born and bred in Pa
iazzo CiecO, and knew no other home at ALL
As Helen happened to be the only one who
had patience to hear him talk-save his grand
son, bright-eyed little Pope, who was Helen's
especial favorite-the ancient conceived a great
fondness for her, and emptied willingly into
her ears his store of legend and tradition, in
which the simple ndirete of his address and
manner more than compensated for the anachro
nisms and absurdities of his narrative. The
legend which he told of the Tapestried Cham
Der completely charmed the young lady with
that room, and decided her in her halfformed
purpose of making it inhabitable and pleasant.
Count CARAMEL, Admiral of Genoa, was the
chief honor of the Palazzo Cieco, which he had
beautifed with his wealth, and given fame to
by his own distinction. The Count was a
proud and naughty noble, and was rather toler-
ated than liked in Genoa, his genius for war rem
dering unassailable the high position which his
unpopular manners caused the people continu-
ally TO begrudge him. His name was cursed
o1oI hx-s bap ofS Marx nd
everywhere, from the gardens of the Bospho-
rus to the piratical harbor of Sallee, the in6del
reviled his memory, but shuddered when his
name was mentioned or his flag ahoat. None
ever dared more than CARAMEL, nor succeeded
better in the most desperate undertakings.
On one occasion, assisted by some galleys of
Rhodes, he had cut out the corn ships from the
very harbor of Alexandria and at another
time, descending upon the coast with the swoop
Of an eagle, he had surprised the Pasha of Ma
rocco in one of his pleasure palaces, and COM
PEELED him to ransom his wives and household
an immense expense of treasure. These
feats, and his performances against the Neni-
tians. had given Count CARAMEL such renown,
that he was called out, upon all occasions, to
vindicate the naval honor of Genoa, and halt
his lie was passed at sea. Although the Ad.
miral had married when young, his wife had
died early and left him childless and now that
wants and retainers of the Pdlazzo Coco la
mented that the noble domain of the Garame-
lis was soon to pass away into the hands OF a
stranger kinsman, belonging to distant and
unknown branch of the family. The Admiral
was often solicited to marry again, but was
used to point, with grave smile, to his vene-
rable poll and beard, saying that he had too
much regard for the honor of the house to ex-
pose it to dishonor and shame by entering into
,,1fl Iowa. ha md iEQp
gallants of Genoa, who, even if they should fail
TO achieve the conquest of an old mans bride
would be sure to act the part of Steno to the
Venitian Doge Faliero, and make Islander dc
the work in which assiduity was defeated. So
a lonesome home was the stately palace of the
proud old Admiral, who had but his glory and
the aches and twinges of his honorable wounds
to keep him company amid its lofty halls and
sounding corridors.
But one day. said old Orazio, there was q
mighty cIamor through the streets of Genoa
cries of rage and fury, and vehement calls fol
the Admiral Garameli. The Senate assembled
in haste, and soon a deputation was dispatched
To wait upon the old Admiral. He received
them in the lofty hall-outside there, you know
aieJnorina belLa-aud heard their tale with kin
ding Indignation. A feet of Algerine cor
sairs five cruisers and three galeys, had dared
to beard the superb Genoa, even on her very
throne. 1hey nau nreu u Snot iulo I>iCoi an"
oh shame and disgrace had sunk one OF the
Republics war galleys, even within sight oil
the city Would the Republics favorite hero
venture once more to sea, to avenge mel
wrongs. her insulted pride? Such would have
been Doria's course, they said. Already
feet was being equipped for sea, and only
waited a commander, whose name itself was q
guaranty of victory.
What hoi without therei My cloak, my
corslet, my wo-handed sword l an the he
publics most humble servant, oh reverend
signors. and / will punish the insolent pride o.
the infdel with the sword and with fire." Thus
saying, the stout old Admiral donned his CLOAK
and corslet, and, grasping his huge two-hanoeo
sword, strobe down to the quay, to empar1
upon his last cruise, followed by the enthusi
astc shouts of the populace.
Scarce month had elapsed, when Gil the
bells of Genoa rang out peal OF triumph, to
| welcome back the Admirars fleet, whose pat
'erei ships broken oars, and temporary masts
a. they sailed proudly into the harbor, told
ar % desperate and stubborn encounters
Nl'.r lhe twenty captive ships that towed 81
u.r stcu4s were guaranty of another grand
'y'ary y the Republic All Genoa crowded
D. tHr avs, TO learn the story and behold the
spoa,. Never had the Crescent suffered from
Such a raid Capturing the ships which had
! par insult upen the Republic, old Caramel
nal followed up his success by sweeping the
whole Alyerine coast and had conquered I'M
tod treasure. Twelve hundred slaves were in
chains in his ships holds, ready for service or
The Republics galleys. Chests OF richlycarvec
Plate, bags of gold and silver coin, bales o.
nd u 4l,oc< ov>1oo q M