The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-07-28
the LUNATic.

Two strangers were passing through
the city of Ferrara, in Italy, many years
ago, and proposed while there 10 pay O.
visit to the prison of st. Anne, in which
lunatics are confined. The older trav-
eler had an open and pleasing express
sion of countenance. AS he now and
then asked question Of the rude guide,
his dark and piercing eye seemed to read
his,inmost soul, and decipher, the expect
ed answer before the course and rugged
features of the sjailor could give it utter
ance. The gentlemen who accompanied
him appeared some years younger.
HIS perfumed hair escaped from under
his soft white hat, and hung down upon
his shoulders. A short mantle Of GRIM
son velvet, richly embroidered, was
graceful folds to his waist, permitting
only "a partial glimpse Of the ermined
doublet underneath, and the large and
brilliant links of magnificent gold
chain. His hand rested carelessly upon
the hilt of an elegant sword, which hung
by his side, and the clang of his spurs,
as they struck against the marble pave
ment, was the only sound that disturbed
the stiffness of the long corridor through
which they were passing.
'l"Boseti," said his companion TO him in
French, s'methinks this jailer Is no less
stupid than ugly, and he will certainly
not be able to give us any satisfactory
information concerning the things we
see here, which I the more regret as my
curiosity has been strongly excited by
At these words a young Italian, who
had been walking in the gallery, ad-
| yanoed towards them, and addressing
them In good French. offered to escort
them through the prison.
81 shall be pleased" he added, eto
make you acquainted with the peculiar
species of insanity which. aflicts each Of
the unhappy objects who pine in these
gloomy cells"
s.That offer is made with too good "a
grace not to be eagerly accepted by, the
Lord Of Montaing and myself" replied
Boseti.
Stroll, for such was the young Ital-
iaRs name, conducted the visitors
through a long hall bordered on each
side by marrow cells, before which he
stopped, and explained with much taccu-
racy, the kind Of madness OF the mlser-
able inmates.
Stroll and Montaing were indulging in
this melancholy. train of thought, when
Ithey were suddenly interrupted by the
noise from dungeon, whose door
turned gratingly upon its enormous
hinges. A man covered with rags and
bent by misery, rather than age, eau
tiously emerged from the cell, and cast a
hurried and inquiring glance around.
His beard and hair were in disorder;
vet his pale, shrunken features still pre-
sented some traces OF anoble and i'm
posing nature.
He advanced hesitatingly toward thu
strangers, and drawing letter from his
bosom, said in loud and solemn voice
aif you are Christians, see that this
\ tpaeket is conveyed to the Princess
Lenore id,Este." .,,.
iBoseti exchanged sasmne with Mon.
taing and Strozi, whilst the former took
1.-the paper, and in order net to wound
thefeelings Of dhe unhappy object that
had addressed them. ..
"You deem me mad-man," he con.
tinued. "You confound me with the
vile beings among whom have been
tthrownl Alas! i hardly know myself
how l have been able to preserve my
reason amidst the infamous tortures
which they have inflicted upon.me. -Ah
|,who can support such an existence
Did Lenore but know the wretched cave
1 in which Ibreathe out my life, she would
fly to deliver me. But you hesitate,
YOU dread the anger OF her brother,
Aye! fear him, for his vengeance ID
frightful.. But you can tell the friend Of
nv infancy, the faithful Cardinal Gin.
THO, that here, under an assumed
name,"-
At, this moment the formidable voice
of the jailer lresounded through the hall ,
and heavy and precipitate steps were
heard approaching. The poor maniac
trembled and was silent, and made haste
to take refuge in his cell, which the har.
dened guardian closed upon him.
''This mans Madness" said Stroll,
consists in believing himself beloved by
a great lady. He is sort of poet and
| writes verses upon the walls OF his cell
the imaginary object of his tenderness
and that letter which he has given you
is, 1 have no doubt, filled with amorous
expressions"
| In the meantime q vague murmur rose
in distant part of the prison, and
shortly after. the Cardinal Cinthio en-.
tered precipitately, followed by the
guide. His features expressed the most
intense emotion, and burning crimson
flush covered his face.
| The guide took the enormous bunch ,o1
keys from his girdle, and selecting one,
Iopened the massy door which mad just
| Deeu sClOSeu upon Lue mdHldc VI WHOM
they were still cOnversing.
Cinthio cast himself, weeping, into the
arms of the unfortunate prisoner, VINO
looked at him with painful and vacant
gaze.
40, my, 'friend," cried the Cardinal,
/ when his sobs would allow him to speak
Hsmy friend, is it thus that thou art to be
Restored to msr
Then turning towards the spectators
of this affecting seene-"Strangers," he
said, with a transport of indignation
"see how the Duke OF Ferrara rewards
lgeniusl Proclaim to your rc0nntrymen
Ito the whole world that TorquatC
Tasso has pined for, seven years in these
Infamous dungeons, while the universe
lwept his deaLh."
At tlenglh when taking leave of Stroll
Montaing thanked him IN an affectionate
tone for the complaceney with which hs
had served them rs guide.
"Ha i.what ~ demande u Stroll gravely
"do you quit me without doing .mt
homager Montaing, at this question
looked at him with asGonishment. .tG ross
|mortal," continued the Italian, s'does
not my sublime genius, which has STRUCK
you with admiration, reveal to you my
lmysterious divinity. On your knees =
he exclaimed, in the same breath, and
seizing Montaing by the lthroatr-"doWr