Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-26


became a cause celebre, the whole Of the
country being divided into two camps, the
only serene person being Carducci him
self.
1 remember snowy wintry day not long
ago when 1 happened to be passing the
professors house just as he was leaving 1t.
He slipped and fell, and as helped him to
rise heard some strong language. His
mental equilibrium was also upset, and by
the time he reached the university he was
In the worst of humors. However, he be-
gan his lecture, which was on Petrarch,
when. after few words, he picked up the
book and threw 1t with all his might Into
the midst Of the astonished students, jam
med his broad-brimmed gray felt hat on to
his abundant locks, and left, saying: ITO
the devil with Petrarch and all the poets!
No more lectures while this weather lasts,
and departed. not showing his face again
Tor over month.
CarduccPs reputation may be said to have
begun with his celebrated lode to Satan"
The title was suggestive. the form perfect,
and the matter less daring than might have
been expected. Had he written a poem to
Garibaldi. Italy or the pope he might have
been admired. but would not have been
read As 1t was, he reused curiosity and
satisfied it. His Satan Is the classical spirit
OF revolt to which we owe the reformation
ence which this celebrated poem brought
to its author was the reputation of being
the devils advocate, reputation which he
will never lose.
The most romantic episode of his life was
his conversion, years ago. from republican
Ism to monarchism, powerfully aided there
to, 1t is said. by the influence of Queen
Margherita.
Carducci had always been distinguished
for the fervor Of his convictions and the
vigor with which he expounded them, and
of these the chief was republicanism. 1t so
happened that the beautiful Queen Mar
gherita and the great poet met summer af-
ter summer at the same place. The queen
made no secret of her admiration for his
poetry and her respect for the man himself.
This. Notwithstanding his sturdy good
sense. 1attered him, and 1t was not long
before an audience was arranged at which
her majesty met him with quotation from
his own poems on her lips, and spoke Of his
work with such appreciation and penetra-
ton that he capitulated then and there,
and has ever since been a firm monarchist.
The occasion was perpetuated by one of his
most magnificent poems, addressed to
Queen Margherita, entitled "Eterno Femi-
nino Regale," which brought such a storm
about his ears that they tingled. but he held
stoutly to his new creed-and, after all,
shared by his friend Crispi-and he has
never since changed.
X X
Queen Margherita later, a few years ago,
proved her admiration and affection In a
very practical way. Had Carducci lived in
any other country he would today be a
rich man. but being in Italy he Is almost
as poor as at the beginning of his career.
Needing money to make discreet provision
for his family, as he has now reached old
age, he proposed to sell the darling of his
heart his really magnificent library. Hear
ing this, Queen Margherita stepped forward
and bought 1t outright for a generous sum,
on condition that the poet should continue
to 1t for the rest of his life. At the
same time she bought the house where he
new lives, leaving it to him rent free, all
done in such a delicate manner that, proud
as he is, he feels no obligation and worships
his mistress more profoundly than ever.
Carducci had three children, two daugh-
tiers and son. Dante, the last of whom
died in childhood The daughters in due
time married and presented him with seven
grandchildren, upon whom he dotes. but not
| one of whom seems to have inherited any
| special predictions for writing.
One of the firmest dislikes of Carduccfs
career has been the autograph hunter, by
whom he has been much bothered. 1t Is on
record that he has only once given way In
| the matter of an autograph. 1t seems that
a special volume was published for Christ
mas on the page of honor of which was a
poem by Carducci. His indignation was ex-
! treme and the next fortunate person who
| asked for an autograph got the following
Every one knows that 1 will not write
| for rubbish. Now / appear as writer In
| a special volume of this kind. There is
| nothing to be done. and nothing left fol-