The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-04
Alfred, the Gypsy.

III the west, tlnglng them IN many level arrow
OF crimson light, far across the campana that.
like lap, holds the eternal city and lighting up
tile SUBMITS of the hundred towers Of the ''nis-
tress Of the world, as if a spire Of flame blazed
oh each lofty pinnacle.
"rhere, then, lies Rome!" repeated the speaker
who having at length reached the TOP Of the
ridges that shutin the Campana from the rest of
the world and which command wide prospect
Of the magnificent plan outstretched beneath,
stood leaning on bis staff, gazing with enchanted
vision, on tue scene which at all times beautiful
nov under the reflection Of the sunset glory Of
ali italian sky, was invested with surprising lowell
ness Fl was mere youth, scarcely having EN-
ttred his nneteeth year; bis skin brown as a berry
bit glowing with the rich blood of health His
hair was of a dark chestnut color, and parted on
bis forehead, fell down on either side about his
shoulders, in shining waves, His features were
| very fine of an intellectual and manly cast. and
/ seemed eloquent with the inspiration Of genius.
He was traveller as his soiled dress the staffin
| bis hand, and the little bundle strapped at bis
| shoulders indicated He was of humble degree,
| also for he not only travelled on foot, which, Of
itself, in Europe, might not always prove lOwness
Oh condition, but his garments were coarse, though
/ very neat He was dressed in closely fitting
\ Jacket Of green stuff and calico trowsers, and
/
wbilein his hand doubtless as much for economys
sake a. to relieve his swollen feet, he carried
pair Of wclI-worn shoes, of the rudest fabric To
the bundle at his back was swung painters pal
cite, and from one of the pockets Of his Jacket
proTuded the ends of bundle of painter brush
es; while the staff on which he leaned bore some
resemblance to the 'rest, with which artists sup
port the wrist when at work. 1t was apparent
that he was young painter going to Rome to
study
''Yonder then, is the mother Of nations, with
her throne upon the seven hils-the mistress of
the world-the eternal city! Wonderful spot! The
theatre of events how great! How vast the
tnoughts-b0w full of awe the emotions that fill
my mind! Most mighty city! Subject to all past
history-themc Of terrible prophecy! 1t is over
powering TO the senses to contemplate thee-for,
at one thought, the acts and mighty deeds Of half
the worlds age rush upon my soul, overwhelming
crushing, prostrating its powers with their sutfo-
eating weight"
The fine countenance of the youth glowed as
be thus apostrophsed a spot upon which no civil
ised human eye can for the first time, look with
out the deepest emotion. Every eloquent feature
bore testimony to the existence Of the feeling in
his own bosom, to which his lips had given utter
ance.
Alas how art thou fallen!" he continued, after
a few moments silence; thy glory is taken from
thee, and thou art become mighty wreck Of the
past-thy h0nOrs thy glories, thy nObest associa-
tions are bygone! Thy brightness has, indeed
become DIM and thy gold, brass Once, teacher
OF art and arms to the word-the school OF war
riOrs and Of statesmen, what art thou now? The
sword Of steel i converted into the pencil-thy
armies into troops of singers-and thy statesmen
into gowned priests! Nay, but imperishable art
remains with thee; and while thou dost continue
to contain all that is beautiful or great in painting
aud scupture-Whlle every ruin upon thy green
bosom, Italy, is a Pharos to light genius to the
atars where it loves to worship-while thy pal
aces are temples Of art, and thy decayng cities,
schools for painters and sculptors, thou art still
iying-stlll great-still Rome! Physical Rome
may exist no longer, her political empire may be
ended, but the impershable spirit Of thy great
ness fingers about thee, holding over the hearts
and minds OF men, an intellectual sway that shall
even eclipse thine ancient glory
He passed and gazed thoughtfuly upon the far
city, following, mentally, the current Of thought
be had given language to, when an English trav-
cling chariot, with Il coronet and ducal arms en-
bazoned on the panels, and attended by the usual
retinue in plain liveries gained the top Of the hill
and the exclamation, Rome, R0met" In d voice of
thrilling sweetness, TO which surprise and emo
tions gave depth and richness, caught his ear He
turned his head in time only to see the carriage
roll swiftly past him, though not without having
caught sight of the fine contour Of woman's
bOnnetless head and shoulders and the profile Of
a nOble-lo0Eing gentleman beside her, both hav-
ing their gaze directed eagerly toward the capital
La few seconds, the carriage was hid by a wind
ing in the descent, but shortly afterward reaap-
peard rolling over the Campana towards the gate
II fo1fou,nJ - l. .sU
faint cloud OF dust indicated its position and
then suddening spoke giving key to the medi
tatons that evidently had more recently occupied
bis mind.
"IIow rich that voice! It was but single word
it articulated-but that word was full Of sweet
music! Its melody will vibrate through my soul
in undymg cadence. She must be beautiful:such
voice could belorg to none but eartb's loveliest
And the superb head and neck! She must be beau
tful! Oh, it was very sweet voice. But
will walk on and forget it-for she must be noble,
and what has a poor student to do with noble
maidens, be they fair or frae!"
With sigh which he soon changed to light
hearted whistle, he settled bis pack to his shoul-
ders grasped his staff, and with free step, de-
seended the hill into the campana.
CHAPEER II.
in a recess of one Of the galleries resorted to
by the numerous students that, from all parts Of
the world, throng to Rome to seize upon the fast
fading gIories Of an era when genius seemed to
have chosen Italy for the throne of her empire,
there sat, in front Of an exquisite Madonna of
Titan a young artist, with his easel before him,
intently engaged in transferring the picture with
a skill little less than his whom he initiated to his
canvas He was attired in a close green jacket,
and calico trowsers, and beside him lying on the
floor, was an old and much worn velvet cap. His
dar{5 hazel ewes were filed with tho lirht 0f