But the lady drew him to her breast, passionately kissing him, and stroking his fair locks with her soft hand, while with streaming tears she kept murmuring, "Ah, he does not know me any longer! He has forgotten his mother! but it is he! yes, it is be! Here are his dear features, even to the scar under his eye! My child! my child! After three bitter, bitter years! and she pressed him again and again to her heart, so earnestly, he struggled to release himself from her arms. "O, my God!" she groaned, that the mother only should have a heart for her child, but not the child for the mother!" and laying her head on the shoulder of the boy, she wept with the abandonment of a child. Let me go! I want to go!" cried the "Everything is strange to him, now," said the foster mother; he will soon become wonted." 66 Dar Yes, yes, to be sure," said the lady; "how could anything else be expected! The poor boy he has been away so long; and she kissed him anew. ling, do you not know me again? Don't you remember this room where you used to play, and the pretty pictures on the walls? Don't you know them? You used to live here, darling. O! if Crissie only were alive! he would have remembered her," An involuntary shudder shook the lady, as she uttered the last words, and that name was never uttered without a feeling of terror. For the unfortunate nurse to whose care the little Louis was entrusted, on the day of his loss, died of sorrow and the inhuman treatment of her master, soon after. But the rest of you you, Rorun and call Pete, and Hector, and old old uncle Joe-pe. haps the child will recognize them, or they him." sy Rosy flew out, and the chamber was soon filled with all the servants of the household. All were full of joy and astonishment, most of them recognizing the boy at the first glance; but he-alas! he remembered no one! "Well, I must become his mother anew," said Mrs. Mordant, with swimming eyes; "since God has blotted out my image, and that of every other one from his mind. What will Mr. Mordant say?" and a sudden paleness overspread her cheeks; "O, he will know his son how can I doubt it?" Overcome by the excitement and conflict of her feelings, Mrs. Mordant was exhausted. They laid her on the couch, and she drew the little boy to her side. 66 And how shall I express my thanks to you," said she, turning to the foster-mother; "I do not even know your name." My name is Anna Wilson." "You have brought up my boy to be good and truthful, dear Anna?" 66 "O, yes, lady; I have taken him to church every Sunday, and though a little wilful, he has always been obedient and kind-hearted." "O, thank you; thank you; come here, Rosy!" and whispering a few words in the girl's ear, the latter opened a bureau drawer, and taking out a heavy purse, brought it to her mistress. Taking a dia mond ring of great value from her finger, she handed it with the purse, to Anna. "The ring for the belt which you brought me, Anna. The purse for the expense you have incurred for my boy; the love and care I can never repay!" "O, you reward me far too richly, madam," said the woman ; "far too richly. Take back the gold-it is too much." Mrs. Mordant turned away her head with a smile. "Go; but bring your daughter as soon as you can-to-morrow, if possible." And the two women parted. To be continued. THE HOME IN THE VALLEY. BY ANNA M. BATES. Do you think of our home in the valley, dear Where the woodbines used to cling, Where the brook went rilling sweetly down, Do you think of our garden bed, dear love, Do you think of our home in the valley, dear Of the nook where the green lichen grew, Where we wove together a rustic seat, And the hare-bell bloomed 'neath the dew; There we sat as the moon's soft shimmery beam Played through the boughs of the tree, 'Twas there that we braided our glowing dreams, And there thou didst sing to me. Alas! for our home in the valley, dear love, But we shall go back nevermore; And the forms and the faces of dear ones have Their grave-beds are grassy and low, With the names that we used to know. We are out on life's ocean dark and wild, To our brighter and better home; There's beauty all around our paths, And through their lowly guise; THITHER-SIDE SKETCHES. NO. XXVIII. En route for Milano-Lady from Constantinople-Effects of life in the Orient-Cherubic and Satanic-Sights and scenes in MilanoLeonardo de Vinci's "Last Supper"-The Cathedral-at Turino-Preparation for festivities-Contrast from past to present-Inauguration of the new parliament-Pursuit under difficulty, with result thereof. Our journey from Bologna to Milan was rendered quite interesting by the politeness of a Bolognese lady, who gave us each useful information respecting that part of the country through which we were passing. The day was bright but cool, the air increasing in chilliness as we proceeded northward, and the scenery bare and monotonous across the plains of Lombardy; still there was much of attraction and enjoyment in the consciousness that we were now in a land of liberality and progress; and also in the thought that, from the very natural course of things, this tide of advancement so healthfully flowing under the reign of "Vittore Emmanuel," would invigorating waters might sweep through not be likely to ebb until its purifying and the heart of Rome! The fact that the people of Romagna had come out SO bravely in favor of civil and religious freedom, in their overwhelming majority of votes, for annexation to Victor's dominions, spoke volumes of encouragement for future improvement in Italy. Meanwhile we were rolling rapidly on to Milan, interested in the sensible talk of lively gestures, handsome face, and air of our lady of Bologna, and amused with the complete abandon belonging to a young Italian woman just out of Constantinople. The latter was a person of plump, round figure, whose entire disregard of that tidiness usually considered by the civilized, as somewhat necessary in matters of the toilette, plainly indicated that the atmosphere of the Orient was perfectly salubrious in more than one sense, to her ladyship. She was quite enthusiastic in her praise of the feminine accomplishment of smoking, and expressing by eloquent gesticulations as well as words, her intense longing for the means of gratifying this appetite at that time. Coupled with this unbounded praise of the weed, was expressed in equally strong terms, her detestation of children, whom she declared were nothing better than so many nuisances. Her own child, a boy of five or six summers, with a head fit for a model of one of Raphael's cherubs, (save for the lurking devil in his splendid black eyes), one would have supposed might tend to reconcile a person to the possession of such a nuisance but even then the handsome little Turk was giving proof of the exist ence of the satanic element, by amusing himself with adroitly stealing a coral ornament from the watch-chain of Ludovico, the courier, who happened to be seated near the youthful rogue! So much for the moral influence of his pleasure-loving mamma! The courier, however, was quick enough to detect the theft, and qui etly regaining possession of the abstracted article, the self-indulgent woman is probably not aware to this day, of that practical commentary upon her training, thus furnished by her boy! At Alessandria we change cars, and again onward! Over the vast plains where desperate battles have been fought, and men, made in God's image, slain by thousands, and flung promiscuously into deep trenches, like so many carcases of wild beasts, lie mouldering! Onward over the vast plains of Lombardy, we rattle along until, weary and somewhat dispirited, we gladly find ourselves released from the whirl of locomotion and quietly settled in the spacious and comfortable Hotel della Gran Bretagna, at Milan. Here we meet at breakfast an agreeable gentleman and lady, from a sister city, in a neighboring State-and here, too, we rejoin the friendly professor, our former compagnon du voyage, with whom we make a circuit of the notables of the city. Now riding from section to section, and anon, taking an evening promenade, or a morning stroll. Thus we visit churches and shops; the immense amphitheatre of ancient origin, but still used upon public occasions, into which we are admitted by a pleasant-looking matron, who acts as por tress. From one of the grassy terraced seats we enjoy a quiet survey of the space before us, capable of accommodating a vast assemblage. Upon a spacious plain outside the town, companies of military are practicing artillery drill, the large horses attached to the ordnance wagons performing their evolutions with great celerity and precision. Into the refectory of the Dominican church and convent we go, to look upon that wonderful masterpiece, so much admired and so much abused, Leonardo de Vinci's "Last Supper." Through what vicissitudes has it passed, and yet how remarkable a production still! At one time, the central figure of the Saviour cut off at the lower extremities, to make space for a doorway, for more convenient access to and from the cook-room! Again, the splendid array of figures sadly defaced, when in the chaos of military invasion, the refectory was used as a barrack for sol diery; and yet, despite of all this cruel usage and defacement, (now partially repaired) we find sufficient of the original beauty and grandeur remaining, to enchain the delighted attention, and fill the soul with reverent admiration for the mas ter artist who, in the spirit of love, wrought out so nobly his ideal of the incomparable Jesus and his chosen disciples. Imposing to the stranger is this old city of the Gauls, this modern Milano, with its ten stately gates, its immense hospital, where everything connected with it, is conducted upon a mammoth scale; with its magnificent theatres, (Le Scala, &c.,) its many palaces, churches and other public edifices; with its long lines of stores, displaying such an array of rich and costly fabrics and jewelry as we have found in no other city since leaving Paris; and, above all, crowning and glorifying the whole-that world-renowned CATHEDRAL, whose elaborate decorations and wonderfully wrought roof can never be fully appreciated without ascending to the top. This ascent we reserve until the last afternoon of our stay-and under a clear blue sky, and in the sun-lighted air, pass hours in wandering among its groves of marble spires, with all their elaborate fret-work, their interlacings of foliage and flowers, and surmounted with the thousands of statues, (a large army of martyrs and saints,) looking down upon one from their C pinnacles, or forth from their niches; making the otherwise solitary heights a peopled region, full of eloquent teachings, companioned with the presence of holy men and women, once on earth, but now composing a beatific throng, and the whole redolent with an atmosphere of sanctity and adoration! The interior we find grand in proportions, yet gloomy; exciting amazement at the patient skill and the immense amount of expense which has been employed for long ages in working out this stupendous result which, indeed, is not yet completed, nor in all probability will be, for many years to come. We were not surprised to learn that the church property, which is enormous, comprises also an entire marble quarry, which is continually being worked, adding much to church revenue, and affording ample material for the lavish use of these wonderful embellishments, whieh make it one of the most splendid edifices in the world. In the sacristy we are shown a variety of massive gold. vessels, candelabras, &c., which contain quite a mine of wealth, in their intrinsic metallic value, and the precious stones with which they are studded. Not much of the picturesque has Milan to show, seated in the midst of a monotonous, though fertile plain; but imposing in its air of wealth and thrift; in its being the centre of an enlightened civilization, of large enterprises, and a constant advancement in broad and liberal ideas. The toilette of the Milanese ladies is exceedingly rich, after approved French modes, and we saw some fine specimens of beauty among them. The women from the country, whom one meets frequently in the streets, presented noble specimens of a healthful physical development strongly built, with broad shoulders and full busts-many of them quite tall-they stride on with a kind of half masculine air, not wholly void of grace, while their black bodices, gay skirts, and the numerous large silver pins stuck around their dark braided hair, set off to advantage their bright eyes and sun-brown faces-faces that have never since the primitive days, been hidden from the sunshine by any modern innovation, in the shape of artificial bonnets. Of an evening we drop into a cafe, for the purpose of getting a glimpse of this phase of Milanese life, and while sipping an ice, take observation of the buzzing throng around. After amusing ourselves with the gay scene for a time, and throwing a few pence to the musician, who, as usual with his class, attracted by the appearance of a stranger-party, (and none can detect this class of people more readily than these itinerant players), had been performing his sweetest, cutside the window near where we were sitting, we left the brilliantly-lighted scene, contrasting in" our mind the perfect propriety and comfort of this place of resort, compared with similar ones in our own country, where, to say the least, it would not be a desirable, if indeed a reputable resort for a female visitor. Bidding adieu to Milano, we retraced a part of our previous route by rail, and then passed on to Turin. It was towards the close of Saturday, just before the session of the new Italian parliament, when we arrived in this city. Greatly to our annoyance, we found the hotels to which we had been recommended, too full to accommodate us; directed to another, and still another, we were met by the same reply— all crowded. It was growing late, and we began to be alarmed, as we had not a friend in the city, and the prospect of trying the open air for a lodging-place, was not particularly cheering in our present state of weariness. At last, after some delay, we secured an indifferent room at the Pension Suisse; the next day, however, we were settled in more comfortable quarters, and were, on the whole, so well pleased with the house and its mode of operations, that we did not regret this disarrangement of our original plans. Though Sunday, the city presented a scene of gay festivity and busy labor. Great preparations were going forward for the due celebration of the grand inaugural occasion of the morrow. Triumphal arches, banners, garlands, impromptu fountains, and gas burners; temples and platforms filled with flowers,-in short, everything that could be done to make the city a gala scene, was being rapidly pushed to completion. Every one on the streets wore a happy, holiday expression; in fact, of spectators-such rattling of vehicles and prancing of noble steeds! The king and his ministers and members of parlia ment were conducted in triumph, to the hall of legislation; and thus was the new Italian parliament of the confederate kingdom inaugurated. F. who was nearly beside himself in his intense longings to get a glimpse of this august body-(this representative force of a new spirit of reform and freedom in Ita ly)- resolved to undertake the difficult task of seeking an entrance into the house. The attempt seemed hopeless, as the build ing was jammed with people, and many who would willingly have paid largely for an entrance, were obliged to forego the privilege. Turin and its people were just then enjoy- was immense. Such a display of military ing the well earned triumph of their be--the waving of banners, firing of guns, loved king! Sardinia, Piedmont, part of and sound of martial music! Such crowds Lombardy, Romagna, Parma, Modena, Tuscany, all united to one crown, all by this concentration of interests, helping to swell the tide of future greatness, now plainly discernible for long-oppressed ItaÎy. What a contrast is this scene of festivity and the present aspect of the Italian States, to that sad, disastrous time, when Carlo Alberto, father of the present king, wearied, weak, disheartened, after his last defeat by the veteran Radedtsky, sought the privacy of a cloister, and there, in penance and prayers, endeavored to forget the world in which he had acted so conspicuous-and perhaps not always a creditable part. Here he spent the brief, broken remnant of his days in preparation for another and higher life, bequeathing to his son, Victor Emmanuel, the unenviable legacy of an almost broken sceptre, over a small, impoverished kingdom! Poor Carlo nobly has his son redeemed the Vow made upon the grave of his father! The ill fortune and dimmed reputation of the sire has been gloriously retrieved by his then youthful heir! It has proved a blessing to Italy, that this son, possessing all the best qualities of his father without any of his vacillation or weakness, has used his noble faculties on the side of right and liberal principles, daring to do what Charles Albert did not dare to do, and animated by a sacred motive-to save bis father's memory from dishonor, has indeed proved the benefactor of his people, who can now point with pride to him as their deliverer and protector. Turin is too compact and uniform, too modern in appearance, to impress the stranger strongly either with admiration or dislike. It looks like a thrifty American city, the streets laid out regularly, at right angles, and filled with the usual style of solid brick buildings: block after block being so similar that one was often puzzled to make one's way back from a starting point. The king's palace and the parliament house are fine structures, and the square around them is spacious and well laid out. On Monday the excitement of the city But thanks to his Yankee perseverance, as well as Yankee origin, he actually succeeded in his undertaking, and two hours after, returned to the hotel with the triumphant announcement of his complete success. Though heated and weary, nothing could exceed his complaisaney in relating his difficult "passage at arms," which landed him with scant standing room, in one of the galleries overlooking the scene of deliberation below. It seemed that the good-natured guard, (everybody was feeling happy at this time, as we before said,) after telling him it was non possible to get into the house-finding him a "live Yankee," and so dreadfully anxious to see their idols, Victor and Cavour,-put their shoulders to the wheel, and after sundry shovings and pushings, and signaling to others of their band farther up the stair-way, he reached the gaol of his wishes, and returned without loss of limb! The magic word Americano, and his slight knowledge of the language, had proved the " open sesame," for which he does not cease to felicitate himself to this day. Of course he was overwhelmed with ques tions, such as "how did the king appear? what did he do? did you get a clear view of his expression? And Cavour, — what part did he take? is his head really so fine? how looks his eye? has he a fine voice? were most of the members young? |