Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-04-23
In DARKEST ITALY.

A4N pAnA ECA IlALI.
The late trouble at New Orleans
recalls the days when Italy was en-.
shaved beneath thu cruel yoke of the
oppressor; when men feared 10 call
their lives their own and spies haun.
ted their very footsteps. Genius,
chivslry and ell that had ennoblsd
the land from age to age disappeared.
Deeds OF violence were done in open
day. The brave in slouchsd hat and
muffied cloak. gliding by unnoticed,
plunged s,iletto into his victim, and,
stealing away, hastened to the sanctu..
airy. Here, safe from pursuit, he
wandered along the 4 i'm mering aisles
with restless tread, glancing furtively
at the kneeling worshippers.
The country became neat OF rob-
bers and sSnursiersfs sAow:ur that
wherever justice is ill.administered,
as it was in those days. the injured
will seek to redress themselves. Rob.
berry provokes to robbery: murder to
assassination; and what began in dis
order ended in a reign of terror. The
people OF Italy had become ens.aved
by the excesses Of their rulers, such
as the De Medicis aud the Borpias:
and, although naturally patient and
long suffering. they turEed at last in
open rebellion, yielding TO fierce
thirst for independence and revenge.
They took the law in their own hands,
aud bursting, the chains Of bondage,
braved imprisonment and death rather
than yield to the merciless DEGREES Of
the tyrant.
SPIES EVERYWHERE.
Treachery was unequalled, and
people were silent on the street, fear.
ful Of the government spies s-ut 10
watch them. Gliding steslthily along,
hiding beneath ihe dark shadows of
doorwsys aud palaces. these paid
menials tracked their victims TO their
doom. An unfortunate suspected
would mysteriousiy disappear; dismal
dungeons underground wou! 'ho
with bis groans, and cruel torture
would put an end to his misery. The
tyrants, smiling at these sutferiugs,
would bid their tpies seek other rrey,
and there was no protection from
these bcsI,Iess, urI ilncipled rulers.
The secret Triburai OF Ten, squalled
in horror the terror of.he Inquisiiion
and none could escape the keen eyes
of so-called justice.
The master and bis guests, reclin.
ing in ease and quafiiDg wine from
golden Roblets, cared little for the
misery Of their slaves:
Spared but 20 die, public spectacle
In combat with each other, and required
To fall with grace, with dignity--to sink
While life is gushing, and the plaudits
ring
Faint and yet fainter on their failing ear;
AS models for the sculptor.
But the days Of ,yrauny were mum.
bered, and with bArbarous outcry
from shore, TO phore, from the depths
Of the forest, a mighty host rose in
rebellion. Host after host they come,
and soon all is over. Groves. temples
and palaces are swep; from sight, and
Rome, once the Imperial City, il left
desolai-.
The Niobe Of nations there she stands.
Childlcss and crownlcss in her vOicclcss
woe;
An empty urn within her withcTcd hands,
Whose holy dust was scattered long age;
The Scipio's tomb contains no ashes now,
Tie very sepulchrcs lie enantlcss
OF their heroic dwel'cr.: dost thou fiow
Old Tiber! through marble wilderness!
Rise with thy yellow waves. and mantle
her distress.
From tie Sarac.r the Italians had
learned the art + poisoning their
d4ggers. and IT, every p.!sc- Was II
laboratory-so Ia called 20 ~ TO lu!l
popular prejudice-wherein the cruel
Sicilian iyrant. Tophana. and others
like him brewed swift, slow poisons,
scattering terror I'll all things seeIned
poisonous. Bfav- men trembIed il a
hand held ouiA Litter, and !tir women
feared the IuylsibIr perfume nf 4
flower, least poison ehould Iurk in iis
petals.
ONE LUCKY ONE.
II is said hat he Cardinal Fsrdin
and de Medici discovered a miraculous
gem. which clouded when approached
by poison. In this way hi- lift was
saved, owing to II ring containing this
precious gem which he wore on his
finger. But few were so fortu.aie ~
to posses. such ireasurr, and m
consequence were constantly IN dread
Of their eBemits. Even The warmly
welcomed guest lad reason 10 fear
treachery, aud was lucky If nj sieep.
ing-time he received timely warning,
such as this:
50" Pass not on. That door