The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-08-19
Beatrice.
A TRAGIC STORY.

The story of Beatrice is deeply affect,
ing. Her sutlerings from the wicked
conduct of her father cannot be told
The hideousness Of his character and he-
purity and beauty stand out PROMINENT,
in the history of the age 10 which they
lived. The most eloquent pens have
failed in the attempt adequately to depict
them.
We give an outline of the heart-rend.
ing story of her life
Beatrice de Cenci was the daughter oI
Count Nicolo Cenoi. She was born il
the latter half Of the sixteenth century, il
the city of Rome. Her father was O
notoriously wicked man, the slave of the
worst passions in human nature. Justice
was powerless, however, to check his vii.
lainy, because Of his influence as a noble.
man. Repeated attempts to legally take
his guilty life wero frustrated.
In the latter part of his life, the
hoary.headcd sinner retired with his sec.
ond wife, Lucrezia, with Beatrice and
her Youngest brother, Bernardo, to the
castle of Petrella, situated in o desolate
spot on the Sabine Hills, Italy. Here,
secure from the observation of neighbors,
this monster of the human race caused
the death OF his two eldest sons, and
consummated his unmatched wickedness
IN treating his daughter with cruelty
worse than death
The innocent victim Of this nameess
wrong appealed to the authorities for JUS.
tice. 1t was not given her. Shortly
afterwards her father was found mur.
dered.
Two theories are recorded as to the
persons guilty Of his taking off the one
says her step mother her brother and her
lover the other,w which is more generally
accepted, unknown enemies of the old
man, who was hated throughout the
country.
lie this as it may, the lovely Beatrice
was accused Of parricidcl She was cru.
ely tortured, and executed in the year
1899. Her step.mother, Lucrezia and
her elder brother, Giacomo, we're also
sentenced to death. Bernardo was
spared on account Of his cAtreme youth.
Beatrice's department Immediately be.
fore her execution was consistent with
the theory OF her innocence. When the
executioner bound her hands, she said
"You bind my body for destruction. but
my soul for Immortality" Under cruel
torture, the only expressions escaping her
lips which could be construed by her
worst enemies into admissions of guilt.
were, at is true" 40. God! thou
knowest if this be true !" No evidence
beyond these two sentences was produced
against her.
In justice, it must be added that many
influential persons interested themselves
to save her life by appeals to the Pope.
Gallant young gentlemen attempted her
rescue. and more than one life was lost
in these desperate efforts. How tragic.
ally Interesting is the recital of the lead.
ing incidents in the life story of this fair
young girl ! Our heart is alternately
moved with the strongest indignation and
the deepest sympathy and pity.
Shelley, the poet, dramatIzed it, In
The Cenci, he assumes the completely
Of Beatrice in the death Of her diabolical
father. This tragedy is the most power.
lnl of Shelley's productions, and well
rePays perusal,
The history Of Beatrice has been made
immortal by magnificent portrait OF her
painted by the Italian artist Guido,
which 100000 would not purchase. Ii
hangs in the Batbcrini Palace, Rome,
and has been one Of the chief attractions
Of the Imperial City for a century.
There is an indescribable sweetness
and fascinating charm 10 the tende. face
Of this loyeliest woman OF history, born,
perhaps, Of her sad history, and delineat.
ed as ony The aud Of an old master
could portray yet, as the eye fingers on
the portrait, her very beauty drives re.
OF her Sorrows from the mind.
For grace Of posture and drapery, snd
oveliness of face aud expression, this por.
lrais has long been model for The best
painters. II ls one Of those wonderful
and striking art creations which, hung
upon the wall, pervades the whole apart.
nent with an air Of elegance aud refine.
ment
This famous picture, so sweeily fascin.
,ting, possessing an interest surprising
that OF the mere creations OF art, has been
exactly COPIED, aud an exquisite chrome
'i It - rnhli'hrl hy 5 NJ. Sourtard.
Irrsr.A~, w.
The en'"r' Is an exact copy Of the
Dug'hai. rrr,oducei by - different i'm.
pres>lrn- IN oil colors. size > x u feet,
md T. equal in every respect to the one
published by Cotton, Zahm K Roberts
st $50 per copy. and is entirely different
from the inferior zine plate limitations.
which are mol worth the paper they are
printed on Cen'l Southard. with his
accustomed liberalty. offers this superb
work of art at sld per copy. mounted on
'tretchers or handsomely framed for
BIZ to $50. \ framed copy is on ex.
hibi.ion at Alden's booSstore, where Or
1ers will be received We bespeak for
The enterprise the success @hich the sur.
passing loveiness Of the picture and the
patient misfortune oi the publisher so
rightly merit.
M. DUadnnf:n., oe OsI.