Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-18
NO. 80.

which broke from the too-happy heart
All! well, thus human hearts have loved,
and love even now TTs the old story
which has been perused of-times, and yet
is new to the young and fun ofjoy. Here,
too, the minstrePs lay may have been ut
tered in praise of his ladye-love, or in hon
or of the warriors deeds, or in sadness, as
he remembered his country's wrongs.
And Italy has many wrongs. The OPP
pressor has long held iron rule over the
falrest provinces of Europe-the home of
Art, the birthplace of genius. Her chill
drsnszssanes. are sasousy tnose ortlsxliss OF
fame; but they were creatures of an age
unknown-at least unrealized BY their de-
scendants. What is famous in Italy now,
and who is worthy to be crowned with the
laurel-wreath for his own acknowledged
merits? All traces, all mementoes of all
works of art belong to those who have lived
now gone to their death slumbersl
These were the thoughts which came
trooping up in my mind, as sat gazing at
the waterfall. Thus it is Natures beau-
ty, or Natures wildness-each call forth
our imagination; and we people her scenes
with creatures of our own fancy, and form
tale for each now, one of violence, and
strife, and wrong; then one of peaceful,
quiet repose.
was so enraptured in reveries that /
was unaware of the approach of person,
who took seat very little distance from
me, unconscious of my vicinity. 1t was a
man, dressed in the peasant-garb Of the
country but he had not the manner of
the ordinary peasantry had met with
Moreover he carried a carbine-a thing
not now allowed to the people since the
days of the revolution.
A movement to change my posture, so
should not appear in his view, challenged
his attention, and, striking the butt of his
piece against the ground, he cried out
ViUa Italia 2''
Half-muttering halfspeaking some an
swer to him, arose and approached him.
He drew back, as if distrustful of me but
a glance at my apparel treasured him
and he came toward me, with the easy
manner of one who has recognized friend
where he might expect an enemy.
'Signor, your pardonp' he exclaimed,
giving his hand. "An Englishman, / seeI''
"An American" said ], correcting the
error.
"Better still; can trust you. ] am
Spinolam
| must have started at the word, for the
nama af the -hri6and- esAn- siiArAA.ia-sl~-
words, and / could not doubt him. His
daring, his hardihood, and courage, which
| had heard spoken of a hundred times, all
were to be seen in his look. The ideal
was realized in the actual. It could be
none other than Spinola.
: "Come, signor, let me not disturb your
thoughts Perhaps they were of my coun-
try-my poor, oppressed country, and her
wrongs; of the patriot-the man wrfthing
in chains stronger than Of iron, enclasped
by those of whom we had thought better"
81 should apologize to you, signor, for
my being here, and thus disturbing you.
am to meet with one who can, if he will,
help US to assert our rights, aid drive the
| tyrant from his throne. If he fails, my
hopes are no longer for my country-at
least, till brighter day dawns upon my
country's fortune !"
Seating himself by the side of me, at my
request, he commenced the story of his
life Reared in poverty, the son of poor
peasant of Pozzuoli, he became a depen-
dent of a noble family but the fiery spirit
of youth could not bear the menial yoke,
and the events preceding the revolution
aroused the warm blood of Spinola, and
with the impetuosity of boyhOod he de-
clared for TIE side of liberty and the re-
i, public. He was arrested, with a number
of other malcontents, and imprisoned. His
youth, and more than all, his good looks,
interested an Italian countess in his behalf
and he was soon released. The romance
of his situation at this time was dispelleC
by his falling in love with avery pretty
. peasant girl, whom he drew into marriage
) Hardly had he become settled, with hi
;. girl-wife, ere the revolution broke out, anC
the boy-husband took to arms with fev
I bold spirits, and joined the patriot banc
: who had determined to overthrow the or
pressor. He was wounded in battle, an
n fell into the hands of the Austrians, an
{ would have been shot but for sudden a
d tack upon them by his countrymen,
,e which he had the good fortune to eseap
a from the enemy, and rejoin his brethren
q in-arms. His dreams of liberty SCENE
now about to be realized-but they wei
dashed down when the intelligence cam
that France was pouring in an army upo
o. Italy. Frsnchmen cozld not be the d
he stroyers of that hberty-Franoe was r
od public! The treachery of Oudinot lulle
he back the suspicion into new slumber; b.
H. then came the vision that it was only
he deceitful answer which the Frenchms
gave to the Triumvirs, and battle w
,er fought. The French were yictors and Il
Ia oppressor returned from Gaeta !; and Il
ire umphal professions, with pomp and parad
Of ushered in anew the despot's rule, al
struck knell for the death of the republ
he Rather than accept the pardon which can
from one who should, in reverse of POI
nd ton, been the supphant, Spinola fed
nd the mountains, and with few determin,
ng men, who soen declared him leader, !
ass came the terror of the tyrant's creatur
om Il have only this hope" said he, wi
.p- sadness in his tones if he fails (alludi
en- to the person of whom he had spoken "
was to have met him) then must lea
ov- my country, which love, and seek a ho'
vas amongstrangers- perhaps across the sce'
the in your own America ]"
ear The pale, crescent-shapedmoo was NJ
- nm and with fav mora words rart