Part 13 (1/2)
CHAPTER XL. THE CHRISTENING
The ”army of Rome,” as already related, gave the proscribed a long time for preparation, and they, knowing the nature of the delay, troubled themselves little about the matter. And now we must return to some of the princ.i.p.al and most cherished personages of our book--namely, Julia and her companions, of whom we took leave when they escaped so narrowly from the storm, and whom we have neglected far too long.
Two days after the departure of the _Seagull_ from Porto d'Anzio she entered Porto Longone, with all her sails set and her colors flying. As soon as she anch.o.r.ed, our friends saw a group of persons issuing from Liberi, a small village overlooking the port, who, on reaching the sh.o.r.e, embarked in a boat and rowed out to the yacht.
Julia received the party--which was composed of both s.e.xes--gracefully and courteously, and offered them refreshments in her saloon, which they cordially accepted.
Seated at table, each with a gla.s.s of Marsala in hand, the guests turned towards Manlio, whom they imagined to be the master of the vessel, and addressed him with a Tuscan accent. It is one less manly than the Roman, but sweeter and more sympathetic, and though it be but a dialect of the real Italian, to it Italy owes much of her revival, and in this dialect, dignified by so much genius, must be found the language of Italian national unity.
”Sir,” said the elder of the visitors, talking Tuscan, ”in Liberi there exists a custom that if a vessel comes into port at the same time birth is given to an infant, the captain is requested to stand G.o.dfather to the newly-born child. Will you therefore vouchsafe to comply with this custom, and do us the honor of becoming a G.o.dfather, and your gracious young lady a G.o.dmother, to a little one who has this day entered upon existence.”
Manlio smiled at this odd request, and all present admired the facility with which the visitor in Elba can form an alliance with the islanders.
Manlio replied, ”I am simply a guest on board, like yourself, Signor; this young English lady is the owner of the vessel, and must decide what shall be done.”
Julia--the traveller, the artist, the antiquary, and the friend of Italian liberty--was enchanted to find such simplicity of manners among these good people, and said, ”For my part I gladly accede to your proposal, and as I hear the captain of the s.h.i.+p must be G.o.dfather, I will send for him, when, if he be agreeable, we will place ourselves at your service.”
Captain Thompson was immediately summoned, and the English lady explained to her commander what was required. He laughed merrily, and accepted the invitation as she had done, declaring that he should feel immensely honored to stand G.o.dfather with his gracious mistress as G.o.dmother. Captain Thompson then gave his orders to the mate, and they all embarked in company for Liberi.
Here our narrative stumbles again upon the topic of the priesthood, and it is a fatality that, in spite of the invincible antipathy which they excite in us, they are thus continually coming in contact with the progress of our tale. But the cure of Liberi was a man of a different stamp.
A modest but hospitable table was spread for the christening party in the house of the islanders, and it was made pleasant by the cordiality and simplicity of these kind islanders. The guests were all delighted, while Captain Thompson, although a little confused, was happy beyond measure at the honor the beautiful Julia did him by leaning on his arm, and still more so at being sponsor to her G.o.dchild. So elated was the worthy seaman that he neither heard nor saw as they walked towards the village, and stumbling over some obstacle in the way had well-nigh fallen, and, to use his own phrase, ”carried away his bowsprit.”
Luckily Julia did not perceive the profound confusion of her companion, and walked on with a calm and stately demeanor, in unintentional contrast to the tar's awkward gait, for the excellent Thompson, dreading another stumble, counted every stone on the road as he paced by her side.
In this manner they arrived at the church. Captain Thompson here put on a very imposing appearance, and, although a little wearied by the inordinate length of the ceremony, gave no sign of impatience. Having an excellent disposition, the tediousness was relieved by the pleasure of holding his new G.o.dson in his strong arm, to which, although a plump and well-formed babe, it appeared but as light as a feather.
The ceremony ended, the guests invited to the christening bent their steps to the house of the second G.o.dfather, who entertained them at a more formal banquet, the excellent wine of Liberi receiving much favor. Captain Thompson, having to reconduct Julia, and remembering the stumble, partook very moderately of the liquor, contenting himself with pa.s.sing a disinterested eulogy upon it.
The captain had another motive for being temperate and keeping in check his decided predilection for good drink. He was most anxious to please the Signora Aurelia, who, though past the bloom of youth, was extremely amiable, and had a brilliant complexion. She was full of grat.i.tude for the many attentions the captain had lavished upon her during the terrible storm, and by no means repulsed the signs of sympathy, loyal and honest, if not courtly, which the gallant sailor manifested.
All went very merrily for our amphibious friends, for, much as one may resemble a seahorse in const.i.tution, land with its pastimes and comforts is always preferable to the tempestuous sea. On leaving, Julia was covered with blessings and thanks by her new acquaintances, after the manner of olden, times.
Manlio was meditating over a statue in marble, which he determined to carve when he should return to Rome, representing the beautiful Julia as Amphitrite guiding the stumbling Triton. Aurelia and Thompson, absorbed in thoughts of tenderness, were oblivious of the incidents of the past; and thus our yachting party returned on board, accompanied to the sh.o.r.e by all the villagers, with music and joyful hurrahs.
CHAPTER XLI. THE RECLUSE
IN the Italian Archipelago, which may be said to begin in the south at Sicily, and to extend northward to Corsica, there may be found a nearly deserted island, composed of pure granite crags, down which delicious streams of pure water flow, that never quite fail even in summer. It is rich in vegetation of low but pretty growth, for the tempestuous winds which rush over it prevent the trees from attaining any great height.
This, however, is compensated by the healthiness of this little island, in which one may always enjoy fresh and pure air. The plants that grow out of the crevices in the rocks are chiefly aromatic, and when a fire is made of the leaves and twigs, they send forth a fragrance which perfumes the whole vicinity.
The wandering cattle that graze over the promontories of the island, are small in size but very robust. So are, also, the few inhabitants, who live not in affluence but sufficient comfort upon the produce of their tillage, fis.h.i.+ng, and shooting, while, moreover, they are supplied with other necessaries from the continent by the generosity or commerce of their friends.
The inhabitants being scanty, police and government are superfluous, and the absence of priests is one of the especial blessings of this little spot. There G.o.d is wors.h.i.+pped, as he should be, in purity of spirit, without formalism, fee, or mockery, under the canopy of the blue heavens, with the planets for lamps, the sea-winds for music, and the greensward of the island for altars.
The head of the princ.i.p.al family on this little island is, like other men, one who has experienced both prosperity and misfortune. Like other men he has his faults, but he has enjoyed the honor of serving the cause of the people. Cosmopolitan, he loves all countries more or less; but Italy and Rome he loves to adoration.
He hates the priesthood as a lying and mischievous inst.i.tution, but is ready, so soon as they divest themselves of their malignity and buffoonery, to welcome them with open arms to a n.o.bler vocation, a new but honest profession, and to urge men to pardon their past offenses, conforming in this, as in other acts, to a spirit of universal tolerance. Though not suffering them as priests, he pities and yearns towards them as men; for priests he regards as the a.s.sa.s.sins of the soul, and in that light esteems them more culpable than those who slay the body. He has pa.s.sed his life in the hope of seeing the populations enn.o.bled, and to the extent of his power, has championed always and everywhere their rights, but sadly confesses that he has lived partly in a false hope; for more than one nation, raised to freedom and light by Providence, has paltered again with despotism, whose rulers become perhaps even more unjust and arbitrary than the patrician.