The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-10


fierce lawless equality of Syria, or the death
bought brotherhood of right5 in which An
dreas Hofer's kinsmen rejoice and fortify them
selvesl Gozzi and Goldoni may make him
laugh-these airs make him dash against pris-
On bars.
This sunshine Of Italy, so rich, so various,
So soft end purple uist
Like a vaporous amethyst,
Or air dissolved star
Minging light and fragrance
sheds itself down upon Meriyale, till his heart
drips with the honey of love, aad Joy, and praise,
and he has given himself ep to the charm,
scarce knowing its sources, but well aware
that,
sBe il love, light harmony,
Odor or tn soul of all
Which from he aven like dew doth fall"
it is right royal gift, to be freely enjoyed and
chung TO- and shared with his fellows; for, could
all men possess it, they would soon come to
possess "the love which heals all strife and
| the earth, spite
'The despors rage, the slaves revenge"
would infallibly /" grow young again."
However, Merivales sketch bqak is full, and,
although the soft zephyrs Which, doat through
the chestnut trees and shake. tie oleanders of
Como still WOO him tenderly, be feels that it is
time to HE back to the deep-windowed atelier,
there to put upon canvas his impressions of
this sunshine and these zephyrs, ere he should
let escape the finer essences of their subtle
charm. Last evening, he had seen the day
wane like a dolphin, in Kaleidoscope beauty,
DER the lake; this morning, he has seen the sun
come up again,
'Broad, red radiant, half eclined
On the level quivering line
Ofthe waters crystallinen-
he has gazed at it not without some emotion,
for it is his parting glance, and now he saunters
slowly towards the inn, looking back, and lin
gering, not, indeed, like Romeo at the window,
but as you and do, when we take the hand of
pleasant companion to say farewell. Once
within the Kitchens odorous sphere, however
and prestol away goes sentiment, like thistle
down before the west wind, and in its stead,
dances up his customary light comedy air.
He Carlo, loved padrone, worthy and aes
thetic compdgno mio," he cried 10 the landlord
whom he found in the kitchen with the whole
family, as was usually the case; the truth will
out, Como weeps like understands gazing
like Ariadne-for her most ardent and devoted
lover has torn himself from her arms. Alas,
padrone, la grande Al6erga della Cadenabbia is
about to be deprived of its most distinguished
and most exactng guest, and you, Carlo, to be
relieved Of your most pertinacious bore. Thank
your stars, and dedicate candle to San Rocco,
for having at last rid you of the pestilence.
Cook the eggs nicely, Clan, for / am going
away after breakfast"
Here Tom set up yell, and Maddalena be-
gan nervously to finger at her apron strings.
How-the signor is not going to leave us?"
"Yes, my worthy, must go. have resolved.
/ have parted with all / love-save Maddalena
carissima-and it only remains to shoulder my
knapsack. Ny sketch book is heavy and my
purse is light. Besides, have to go my fame
gives me no rest hard fate, indeed, to be so
pestered with reputation. That letter yester-
day-can you guess whom it was from? | will
tell you-under the seal Of profound secrecy
it was from his Holiness himself
al Papa" cried family and servants in
chorus.
"Yes-the old snuff-box himself He writes
to his 'sodalium rer' that there are no, artists
in Rome any more, and he desires to have his
new bed room frescoed with reputable designs
fross the godly legend of the Seven Sieepers of
Ephesus, by way Of siesta provocative-lis
Holiness, you know, is very fond of sauer kraut,
and consequently il visited with such an out
rageous Indigestion that sheep is to him truly
an angelic visitant. He will give me ever so
many scudi, he says, per the square rod, perch,
or pole, for the fresco, make me Cavaliere of
of the order and, if / am particularly anxious,
give me a chance for the Cardinals hat when
ever a vacancy occurs"
"Ah, then you will be priest" murmured
Maddaena.
"Peste that ,cOuld be waste of nature s
gifts, cdrissima but then / shall come straight
way hither, and hear you confess, Madge-Cos-
petto! what an awful penance | shall assign
you for casting sheeps-eyes at Giulio. The
rogue, why comes he this way SO often from
Varenna?"
al do not care for Giulo signor."
"Well, padrone, you know what must be,
must And the sooner | get about it, the soon
er | am through. You remember the proverb
'bdr6a b1gndtd n,ezza rdsa, and / hav'n't even
honed the razor yet. SO leave here presently
Madge,. fglia mia, bring me my clothes, so that
/ may pack my valise. Padrone, fish and eggs
for breakfast-prestamente And bottle out
of the second bin on the left hand / believe
you came by that wine from old Borromeo,
there is none like it anywhere-'tis better than
II Papa's Orvieto. And ! say, Carlo, whose
coach was that / saw as | came by the stable
yard II"
at belongs to some travellers, signor--a
youth, and his sister, who is lovely as the stars.
They haye lady's maid and Jew courier
from Brusselles, who is cheating them finely.
They are going towards Geneva
English, suppose"
"No-the lady told Maddalena that they
were American-but they speak both French
and Italian like natives"
ia! must De fdrde GUes, certalnly-nOw
don't keep me waiting for breakfast, Carlo, add
ed Merivale, retiring into his room.
In good time the meal was served, and our
artist was in full discussion Of it, when he heard
voices in loud dispute, just outside his door,
upon the veranda. He could distinguish Carlos
cracked tenor, every now and then breaking out
under excitement into falsetto, blending with
which were mealy snuffiing sort of baritone,
which he assigned to the Jew courier, and
pleasant youthful note, which, though strained
and full of passion he knew to be that of
compatriot. Merivale listened moment, but
he was not of very curious disposition, and
would have quietly gone on with his breakfast,
had not light figure fitted past his window,
like white cloud through the sunshine, and
soon another voice, clear, musical, cultivated,
mingled its tones of gentle entreaty with the in
creasing acerbity of the discussion.
COrpo di Bacco +! my fair countrywoman
She may be in trouble and they seem to be
two on one. Fair play forever. / always said
that blood was thicker than water" said Meri-
vale; wiping his beard after huge draught of
wine, and Fastening to the door, he looked out
upon the scene.
al would like to paint that" he thought, his
first feelings being of artistic appreciation of
the group before his eyes. Carlo, with fine
watch and chain in his hands, was bowling and
gesticulating, and expostulating right and left,
with the vehemence and energy of Muscovy
drake at the barnyard puddle; the courier, sui
len, demanded his "Gelt," and made efforts to
possess himself of the watch, keeping at the
same time a wary and tirnid glance upon the
young American, who, crimsoned with excite
ment, was talking in English and Italian at
once, and threatening ever and anon to demol-
ish the low-browed Hebrew; while, clinging to