The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-17

ung the QueStlOH generaliy.
"Aa fol save the drive here yesterday, and
short boat excursion on the lake last evening,
with ten eager minutes at the villa Somariva,
we have seen nothing at all of the place." said
Rupert. The fact is, we loitered so long in the
early part of our journey, that we have over
stayed our limits, and our parents who ought
to have reached Genoa last week, will be anx.
ious about us. So we must hurry on, stopping
in Milan long enough to dispose of our carriage,
see the Cathedral, and have one look at Lion
ardo's Last Supper. Then to Genoa by rail
road"
81 would not advise you to raise any false
hopes in regard to Lionardos Cenacolo. Nor
CHEN does its present condition more than JUS
tee, and really it impresses me painfully to be-
hold the sad ruin of SO much grandeur"
"Do you not like ruins?" asked Miss Beale.
Some ruins, Miss Beale; but this is not the
ruin that solfens and crumbles gently away be-
| fore the refining touch of time, like a half
breathed sigh; it is the ruin of disease, neglect,
| filth. There is no hint of the ivy-grown tower,
| but, like the broken windows and dismantled
| exterior of an occupied house, simply re
minder of the depravity Of those concerned.
J They have cut door through the wall, the top
of which pierces the picture the French bull.
let-marks still on it, and it is mouldy, soiled,
and faded, though it has been frequently re-
| touched. However, you will find much to in
terest yon in Milan the Duomo is brilliant
mass, though not purely beautiful, and then
there is the famous Ambrosian Library, the
Brera Gallery with its Raphael, and its Guerci-
no, the great La Scala, and many other points
of interest. What most delights me in Milan
is the study of the people, how their souls
writhe under the heel of Austrian despotism,
and how, nevertheless, through that despotism,
| hoy of ha
to an Italan-glorious music. If you should
remain in Milan day or two, it would give me
pleasure to act as your cicerone. l am en- route
for Florence ust now, having filled my port
folio, and am beginning to long for palette and
pencils"
If you could make it convenient" said Ru
pert, "we will be delighted to have you join US
and give us the benefit of your experience"
"0h yes struck in the young lady, do
Mr.. Merivale so much want to know Italy
and there is nobody to teach me-"
But your mode Of travelling is too rapid for
me. | saunter on afoot, and you would lose
your patience before the first day was over"
"There is vacant seat in our vettura, now
that rogue Friedrich is gone, and indeed we
would like exceedingly to have you join US, for
we are entirely untravelled, and"--
~ have dismissed your courier" said
Merivale, laughing. " 1t is q tempting offer,
certainly, fair auch in Arcadien' to poor
devil of an artist like me-" added he, glancing
at Miss Beale; if had couple more pockets
in this utilized coat of mine, | should certainly
be able to look the courier to perfection. Bien
We will strike no bargain, but 60 on so long as
we like each other. | will play Herr Pedago
gus, and you -
"Will be most willing pupils, worshipful Art
master" said Miss Beale. 1t is entirely agreed
upon, and now, Meister, begin your instructions
Tell me what to think of Como, i. e., what must
write about it in my diary"
Como, Signorina is one of the spots which
were set apart to the use and benefit of Diana
when this world was building, so that in case
she suffered any sudden access of vanity. she
might find mirror meet for her divine use
Faugh It's concett0 that would not even pass
in Della Crusca. You have seen an American
lake?"
! 81 said Rupert ".nsed to swim ia Caypga
Lake in New York. and / remember, when a
small boy, paying brief visit to Lake George
the Horizon. | do not remember much of it.
but for the sake of Ticonderoga and Jane Nc
Crea, blood and battle which fired my youthful
fancy-I can also bring back to mind fairy I
island, and-the trout"
Bravo III wager you could remember the
trout without the aid of scalping knife, bloody
legend, or Peale's pictures. The stomach is
never a mirror it is daguerrotype plate
4" At the Convent, they used to talk much Of
good Samuel Champlain, and tell us many very
pleasant legends of Lac du Sacrement," said
Miss Beale, :" so love Lake George from as
ISOLATION
Them quoth, Merivale, fourishing his fin
ger like maestro's baton, let Horizon rank as
Pocahontas, Natures child, ripping her ma
tive wood notes wild, and Como will be a fairel
still-the Lucrezia Borga"
6" A paste diamond, them" inquired Rupert
" Never less. Fair and lovely, loving and
passionate; there is no artifce about her, only
deadly art to the too lingering wooer. Genuine
enough is the beauty, and you know
Beauty is its own excuse for being
The miasma so deathly emanated not from it
but dwelt within the lovers BOSOM"
What you say is so strange to me-" remark
ed Helen, with troubled look. I" / have always
thought of that woman as having on terrible
black mask, and gliding about in a gondola
with vial of poison in her hand, and curses
on her lips"
You will forget that, when you look at the
one single strand her pale yellow hair which
they show you in Milan in the library. Lucse
zia could take off the mask for those that loved
her, and it was an iron mask, worn over her
| heart, for those whom she hated. Shall we
blame her if she wore the mask at all times
| have a fancy comes over me at times that
| she did so from pure compassion the story oil
Helen had frightened her with such lying fables
of the fatal gift of beauty, and, in her own house
she must have in some sort found saddest veri
fcations of it. But-Como also wears a mask
at times, when her bridegroom up there, those
glittering Bermese Alps, grows jealous of her
and sends down his chill mists to veil her from
all rude eyes"
1t is our turn to say bravo now, Mr.. Meri
vale" remarked Rupert, his eyes glowing, as
| he walked towards the window. "Ah, look al
her now, sir; your words have given her new
individuality in my eyes; save for her beaming
smile and her decorous tresses, she nestles there
at the foot of the mountains as 10 crouched at
the feet of the grand old suffering Titan-sing
ing, too but of love, and JOY, and June-soft
kisses and too happy signs! F"
"Nay, Rupert, forbear," said his sister, mer-
rily laughing having given the thing life,
you will next turn Pygamalion, convert it into
an Eliza, and adore it. So think we had best
hurry out of the fatal sphere of this olivecrown-
ed Lucrezia. What say you, Mr.. Merivale
There may be poison in the amber wine she
profers us. Come, order the carriage, you,
and Mr.. Merivale will make his own prepare
| tons, while set my bandboxes in order. Va!'
En- Route.
| Beneath is spread, like green sea,
| The wiveless plain OF Lomesrdy
| Bounded by the vsporous ir,
4 ISia cd by Gill fair