 | Rambles and reveries |  |
LOVE IN A LAZZARET.
Haunted by love, the earliest oracle.'
Byron.
The surface of the sea assumed the crystalline quietude
of a summer calm. The dangling sails flapped
wearily; the sun slept with a fierce and dead heat upon
the scorching deck; and even the thin line of smoke
which rose from Stromboli, appeared fixed, like a light
cloud, in the breezeless sky. I sought relief from the monotonous
stillness and offensive glare, by noting my fellow
passengers, who seemed to have caught the quiescent mood
of surrounding nature, and resigned themselves to listlessness
and silence. Delano was lolling upon a light settee,
supporting his head upon his hand, and with half-closed
eyes, thinking, I well knew, of the friends we had
left, a few hours before, in Sicily. Of all Yankees I ever
saw, my companion most rarely combined the desirable
peculiarities of that unique race with the superadded
graces of less inflexible natures. For native intellgence
sentiment, his equal is seldom encountered; but the idea
of thrift, the eager sense of self-interest, and the iron
bond of local prejudice, which too often disfigure the unalloyed
New-England character, had been tempered to their
just proportion, in his disposition, by the influence of
travel and society. On the opposite side of the deck, sat
a young lady, regarding with a half-painful, half devoted
expression, a youth who was leaning against the companion-way,
ever and anon glancing at the small yellow slippers
that encased his feet, while he complacently arranged
his luxuriant mustaches. These two were affianced;
and by a brief observation of their mutual bearing, I soon
inferred the history of the connection, and subsequent
knowledge confirmed my conjecture.
The Prince of — had paid his addresses to the eldest
daughter of the Duke de Falco, with a view of replenishing
his scanty purse; and by dint of some accomplishments
and much plausibility, had succeeded not only in
obtaining the promise of her hand, but in winning the
priceless, but alas! unrecompensed boon of her affection.
Often, in the course of our voyage, when I marked
her sudden gaze of disappointment, as she sought in vain
for a responsive glance from her betrothed, I could not
but realize one fruitful source of that corruption of manners
which characterizes the island of their birth. And
not unfrequently, as I saw the parental pride and tenderness
with which the old man caressed his children, have
I wondered that he could ever bring himself to sacrifice
their best happiness to ambitious designs. Yet the history
The daughters of the South open their eyes upon
the fairest portion of the universe, and during the unsophisticated
years of early youth, their affections, precociously
developed by a genial clime and ardent temperament,
become interested in the first being who appeals to
their sympathies, or captivates their imagination. The
claims of these feelings, the first and deepest of which
they are conscious, if at all opposed to previous projects
of personal aggrandizement, are scorned by their natural
guardians. And yet when the warmest and richest attributes
of their natures are thus unceremoniously sacrificed
to some scheme of heartless policy, it is deemed wonderful
that in the artificial society thus formed, principle and
fidelity do not abide! What is so sacred in the estimation
of youth, as a spontaneous sentiment? And when
this is treated with cold sacrilege, what hallowed ground of
the heart remains, on which Virtue can rear her indestructible
temple? The elder children, however, are generally
the victims of this convential system, and when its main
object is accomplished, the others are often left to the exercise
of their natural freedom. With this consoling reflection,
I turned to the second sister, who was reading near
by, under the shadow of a light umbrella, which a young
Frenchman held over her head. Never were two countenances
more in contrast, than those of the donna Paolina,
and Monsieur Jacques. There were certain indications
in the play of her mouth and expression of her eye,
that, youthful as she was, the morning of her life had been
familiar with some of those deep trials of feeling, the effect
His physiognomy evinced both intelligence and amiability,
and yet one might study it for ever, and not feel that
it was animated by a soul. Upon a mattress beneath the
awning, her shoulders proped up by pillows, and her
form covered with a silk cloak, reposed the youngest, and
by far the most lovely, of the sisters. Angelica had seen
but sixteen summers, notwithstanding the maturity of expression
and manner so perceptible above the child-like
demeanor of girlhood. Her dark hair lay half unloosed
around one of the sweetest brows, and relieved the rich bloom
of her complexion, as she dozed, unconscious of the admiring
gaze of a Neapolitan officer, who stood at her feet. I
had scarcely time to notice the exquisite contour of her
features, when she started at an observation of her sister,
and the smile and voice with which she replied, redoubled
the silent enchantment of her beauty. At a distance from
us all, as if to complete the variety of the party, stood an
Englishman, whose folded arms and averted gaze sufficiently
indicated that, for the time at least, he had
enveloped himself in the forbidding mantle of his nation's
reserve.
At sunset, a fresh breeze sprang up, and the spirits of
our little party rose beneath its invigorating breath. I have
often had occasion to observe the admirable facility with
which travellers in some parts of Europe assimilate. It
always struck me as delightfully human. One may
traverse the whole extent of the United States, and all the
while feel himself a stranger. If a fellow traveller
engage him in conversation, it is probably merely for the
or ascertaining his opinions on politics or religion,
objects so intrinsically selfish, that the very idea of them
is sufficient to repel any thing like the cordial and frank
interchange of feeling. This is perhaps one reason why
our people have such a passion for rapid journeys. One
of the chief pleasures of a pilgrimage is unknown to them;
and it is not wonderful that men should wish to fly through
that worst of solitudes, the desert of a crowd. In the old
world, however, and especially in its southern regions, it
is deemed but natural that those who are thrown together
within the precincts of the same vessel or carriage, should
maintain that kindly intercourse which so greatly enhances
the pleasures and lessens the inconvenience
of travel. In the present instance, a score of people
were collected on board the same craft, and destined to
pass several days in company, strangers to each other,
yet alike endowed with common susceptibilities and
wants; what truer philosophy than to meet freely on the
arena of our common humanity? Fortunately, we had
all been long enough abroad, to be prepared to adopt this
course, and accordingly, it was interesting to remark,
how soon we were at ease, and on the friendly footing of
old acquaintances. There was a general emulation to be
disinterested. One vied with the other in offices of courtesy;
and even the incorrigible demon of the mal sur mer
was speedily exorcised by the magic wand of sympathy.
I was impressed, as I had often been before, by the fact
that the claims of a foreigner seemed to be graduated, in
the estimation of the natives, by the distance of his country.
soon became the special recipients of kindness; and the
ten days at sea passed away like a few hours. We walked
the deck, when it was sufficiently calm, with our fair
companions, in friendly converse; and leaned over the
side, at sun-set, to study the gorgeous cloud-pictures of
the western sky. We traced together the beautiful scenery
of the isles in the Bay of Naples, and the night air
echoed with the chorus of our songs. And when blessed by
the moonlight, which renders transcendant the beauty of
these regions, our vigils were interrupted only by the rising
sun. Even when the motion of the vessel interfered
with our promenade, forming a snug circle under the
lee, we beguiled many an evening with those gamesome
trifles, so accordant with the Italian humor and vivacity.
Two of these sports, I remember, were prolific occasions
of mirth. The president appoints to each of the party a
procuratore, or advocate, and then proposes certain queries
or remarks to the different individuals. It is a law
of the game, that no one shall reply, except through his
advocate. But as the conversation becomes animated,
it is more and more difficult to observe the rule; many
are taken off their guard by the ingenuity of the president,
and commit themselves by a gratuitous reply, or neglect
of their clients, and are accordingly obliged to pay a forfeit.
Another is called dressing the bride. The president
assigns to all some profession or trade, and after a
preliminary harangue, which affords abundant opportunity
for the display of wit, calls upon his hearers to make a
contribution to the bridal vestments, appropriate to their
to furnish such materials, the gifts are incongruous in the
extreme; and the grotesque combination of apparel, thus
united upon a single person, is irresistibly ludicrous.
The point of the game is, to keep from laughing, which,
from the ridiculous images and odd associations presented
to the fancy, at the summing up of the bridal adornments,
is next to impossible. The consequence is, a
series of penances, which, by the ready invention of
the leader, who is generally selected for his quick parts,
in their turn augment the fun to which this curious game
gives birth.
On arriving at our destination, we were condemned
to perform a quarantine of fourteen days, according to
the absurd practice but too prevalent in Mediterranean
ports. Seldom, however, are such annunciations so
complacently received by voyagers wearied with the confinement
of ship-board, and eager for the freedom and variety
of the shore. In spite of the exclamations of disappointment
which were uttered, it was easy to trace a certain
contentment on many of the countenances of the
group, the very reverse of that expression with which the
unwilling prisoner surrenders himself to the pains of durance.
The truth was, that for several days the intercourse
of some of the younger of our party had been verging
upon something more interesting than mere acquaintance.
Angelica had fairly charmed more than one of the
youthful spirits on board; and there was an evident unwillingness
on their part to resign the contest, just as it had
reached a significant point of interest. Being fond of
amusement in observing the little drama which was enacting,
and nothing diverted me more than the apparent
perfect unconsciousness of the actors that their by-play
could be noted, and its motives discerned. My sympathies
were naturally most warmly enlisted in behalf of
poor Delano, notwithstanding that, after exhibiting the
most incontestible symptoms of love, he had the assurance
to affect anger toward me, because I detected meaning
in his assiduous attentions to the little syren.
The place of our confinement consisted of a paved
square, or rather oblong, surrounded with stone buildings.
Within the narrow limits of this court, were continually
moving to and fro the occupants of the adjacent rooms,
stepping about with the utmost caution, now and then
starting at the approach of some fellow-prisoner, and
crying largo! as the fear of contact suggested an indefinite
prolongation of their imprisonment. Occasionally
old acquaintances would chance to meet, and in the joy
of mutual recognition, forget their situation, hasten toward
each with extended hands, and perhaps be prevented
from embracing only by the descending staff of the watchful
guard. It was diverting to watch these manœuvres,
through our grated windows; and every evening we failed
not to be amused at the in-gathering, when the chief sentinel,
armed with a long bamboo, made the circuit of the
yards, and having collected us, often with no little difficulty,
like so many stray sheep, ushered us with as much
gravity as our sarcasms would permit, to our several
quarters, and locked us up for the night. The variety of
narrow bounds, was another cause of diversion. Opposite
our rooms, a celebrated prima donna sat all day at her
embroidery, singing, sotto voce, the most familiar opera
airs. Over the fence of the adjoining court, for hours in
the afternoon, leaned a Spanish cavalier, one of the adherents
of Don Carlos, whom misfortunes had driven into
exile. A silent figure, in a Greek dress, lounged at the
door beneath us, and at the extremity of the court, a Turk
sat all the morning, in grave contemplation. With this
personage we soon opened a parley in Italian, and I was
fond of eliciting his ideas and marking his habits. He
certainly deserved to be ranked among nature's philosophers.
After breakfast, he regularly locked the door upon
his wives, and took his station upon the stone seat, where,
hour after hour, he would maintain so motionless a position,
as to wear the semblance of an image in Eastern costume.
His face was finely formed, and its serious aspect and dark
mustaches were relieved by a quiet meekness of manner.
He appeared to consider himself the passive creature of a
higher power, and deemed it the part of true wisdom to
fulfil the requisite functions of nature, and, for the rest,
take things as they came, nor attempt to stem the tide of
fate, except by imperturbable gravity, and perpetual smoking.
He assured me that he considered this a beautiful
world, but the Franks (as he called all Europeans,) made
a vile place of it, by their wicked customs and silly bustle.
According to his theory, the way to enjoy life, was to go
through its appointed offices with tranquil dignity, make no
exertion that could possibly be avoided, and repose quiescent
not without his moral creed; and I have seldom known one
revert to such requisitions with more sincere reverence, or
follow their dictates with resolution so apparently invincible.
`There is but one difference,' said he, `in our religion;
the Supreme Being whom you designate as Deo, I
call Allah. We take unto ourselves four wives, and we do
so to make sure of the blessing for which you pray—not to
be led into temptation.' Of all vices, he appeared to regard
intemperance with the greatest disgust, and was evidently
much pained to see the ladies of our party promenading
the court unveiled. `Are your wives beautiful?' I
inquired. `In my view,' he replied, `they are lovely, and
that is sufficient.' I asked him if they resembled any of
the ladies who frequented the walk. `It would be a sin,'
he answered, `for me to gaze at them, and never having
done so, I cannot judge.' In answer to my request
that he would afford me an opportunity of forming my
own opinion, by allowing me a sight of his wives.
`Signor,' he said, with much solemnity, `when a Frank
has once looked upon one of our women, she is no
longer fit to be the wife of a Turk.' And he appears to
have acted strictly upon this principle, for when the custode
abruptly entered his room, as they were all seated at
breakfast, Mustapha suddenly caught up the coverlid from
the bed, and threw it over their heads.
There is a law in physics, called the attraction of cohesion,
by which the separate particles composing a body
are kept together, till a more powerful agency draws them
into greater masses. Upon somewhat such a principle, I
darting from one another in zig-zag lines, like insects
on the surface of a pool, were brought into more intimate
companionship, from being denied association with those
around, except at a respectable distance, and under the
strictest surveillance. Our company, at least, were soon
established on the intimate terms of a family, and the indifferent
observer could scarcely have augured from appearances,
that we were but a knot of strangers, brought
together by the vicissitudes of travelling. And now
the spirit of gallantry began to exhibit itself anew;
in the Neapolitan with passionate extravagance, in the
Frenchman with studied courtesies, and in the Yankee
with quiet earnestness. At dinner, the first day, the latter
took care to keep in the back ground, till most of the
party had selected seats, and then, seemingly by the merest
accident, glided among the ladies, and secured a post
between the two younger sisters. This successful
manœuvre so offended the Englishman, that he retired
from the field in high dudgeon, and never paid any farther
attention to the fair Italians than what civility required.
The remaining aspirants only carried on the contest
more warmly. I was obliged almost momently to turn
aside to conceal an irresistible smile at their labored politeness
towards each other, and the show of indifference
to the object of their devoirs, which each in turn assumed,
when slightly discomfited. Nor could I wonder at the
eagerness of the pursuit, as I beheld that lovely creature
seated at her book, or work, in a simple but tasteful dress
of white, and watched the play of a countenance in
sweet contrast with the repose of innocence, the vividness
of talent, and beauty so rare and heart-touching. I
could not, too, but wonder at the manner in which
she received the attention of her admirers—a manner so
amiable as to disarm jealousy, and so impartial as to
baffle the acutest on-looker who strove to divine her real
sentiments. There is a power of manner and expression
peculiar to women, more potent and variable than
any attribute vouchsafed to man; and were it not so often
despoiled of its charm by affectation, we should more
frequently feel its wonderful capacity. In the daughters
of southren climes, at that age when `existence is all a
feeling, not yet shaped into a thought,' it is often manifested
in singular perfection, and never have I seen it
more so than in Angelica. It was a lesson in the art of
love, worthy of Ovidius himself, to mark the course of
the rival three. Such ingenious tricks to secure her arm
for the evening walk; such eager watching to obtain the
vacant seat at her side; such countless expedients to
arouse her mirth, amuse her with anecdote, or interest
her in conversation; and such inexpressible triumph,
when her eye beamed pleasantly upon the successful competitor!
The Neapolitan cast burning glances of passion,
whenever he could meet her gaze: quoted Petrarch,
and soothed his hopeless moments by dark looks, intended
to alarm his brother gallants, and awaken her pity.
The Frenchman, on the contrary, was all smiles, constantly
studying his toilet and attitude, and laboring, by the
most graceful artifices, to fascinate the fancy of his ladylove.
but unvarying devotion. If Angelica dropped
her fan, he was ever the one to restore it; was the evening
chill, he always thought of her shawl, and often his dinner
grew cold upon his neglected plate, while he was attending
to her wants. One day her album was circulated.
Don Carlo, the Neapolitan, wrote a page of glowing protestations,
asserting his inextinguishable love. Monsieur
Jacques, in the neatest chirography, declared that the recent
voyage had been the happiest of his life, and his present
confinement more delightful than mountain liberty,
in the company of so perfect a nymph. Delano simply
declared, that the sweet virtues of Angelica sanctified her
beauty to his memory and heart.
There are some excellent creatures in this world,
whose lives seem to conduce to every body's happiness
but their own. Such an one was the donna Paolina.
Affable and engaging, and with a clear and cultivated
mind, she lacked the personal loveliness of her sisters,
and yet rejoiced in it as if it were her own. No one could
remain long in the society of the two, without perceiving
that the confidence between them was perfect, and founded
on that mutual adaptation which we but occasionally
behold, even in the characters of those allied by the ties
of a common parentage. To this kind-hearted girl I discovered
that the lovers had separately applied for counsel
and support in the prosecution of their suits. Don Carlo
begged her to warn her sister against the advances of the
Frenchman, as he knew him to be a thorough hypocrite;
and Monsieur Jacques returned the compliment, by assuring
refined and accomplished to be the companion of so
delicate a creature as Angelica. Young Jonathan, with
a more manly policy, so won the esteem of Paolina, by
dwelling upon the excellencies of her sister, that she became
his unwavering advocate. I confess that as the appointed
period of durance drew to a close, I began to feel
anxious as to the result of all this dallying with the tender
passion. I saw that Monsieur was essentially selfish
in his suit, and that vanity was its basis. It was evident
that the Neapolitan was stimulated by one of those ardent
and sudden partialities, which are as capricious as the
flashes of a volcano, and often as temporary. In truth,
there was not enough of the spirit of sacrifice, or vital attachment,
in their love, to warrant the happiness of the
gentle being whose outward charms alone had captivated
their senses. Delano, I knew, was sincere, and my fears
were, that his future peace was involved in the result.
At length the last evening of our quarantine had arrived.
Mons. Jacques had played over, as usual, all her favorite
airs on his guitar, and Carlo had just fervently recited a
glowing passage from some Italian poet, descriptive of a
lover's despair, when sunset, playing through the bars of
our window, reminded us that the cool hour of the day
was at hand, when it was our custom to walk in the outer
court. As we went forth, there was that eloquently
sad silence, with which even the most thoughtless engage
in an habitual employment for the last time. No one
anticipated me in securing the companionship of the
sweet child of nature, whose beauty and gentleness had
and I determined to improve it, by ascertaining,
if possible, the probable success of my poor friend. I
spoke of the many pleasant hours we had passed together,
of that social sympathy which had cheered and consoled,
and asked her if even those narrow walls would not be
left with regret. `Consider,' said I, `you will no more
be charmed with the exquisite elegance of Monsieur
Jacques'—she looked up to see if I really thought her
capable of being interested by such conventional graces—
`or be enlivened,' I continued, `by the enthusiastic converse
of Don Carlo'—she smiled—`or know,' I added,
with a more serious and searching glance, `the affectionate
and gifted society of Delano'—a tear filled her eye,
but the smile assumed a brighter meaning. I looked up,
and he was before us, gazing from one to the other, with
an expression of joyful inquiry, which flashed the happiest
conviction on my mind. The passionate Neapolitan had
flattered, and the genteel Frenchman had amused, but the
faithful Yankee had won the heart of Angelica De Falco.
| Rambles and reveries | |