I bowed in acknowledgment - overpowering sense of splendor and perfume, and music, together unexpected eccentricity address and manner, prevented me from expressing, in words, my appreciation of what construed into compliment

"Here," he resumed, arising and leaning on my arm as he sauntered around the apartment, "here are paintings Greeks to Cimabue, and from Cimabue present hour Many are chosen, as , with little deference opinions of Virtu all, however, fitting tapestry for chamber such Here, too, are some chefs d'uvre unknown great ; and here, unfinished designs by men, celebrated in their day, whose very names the perspicacity academies has left to silence and What think you," said he, turning abruptly as he spoke - "what think you Madonna della Pieta ? "

" Guido's own ! " , with all the enthusiasm nature, for I poring intently over its surpassing loveliness " Guido's own ! - how could obtained it ? - undoubtedly in painting what the Venus is in sculpture "

"Ha ! " said he thoughtfully, "the Venus - the beautiful Venus ? - the Venus Medici ? - she diminutive head gilded hair ? Part left arm (here his voice dropped so be heard with difficulty,) and all the right, are restorations ; and coquetry right arm lies, , the quintessence of all affectation the Canova ! The Apollo, too, is copy - there of it - blind fool that , behold the boasted inspiration Apollo ! help - pity me ! - help preferring the Antinous not Socrates who said statuary found his statue block of marble ? Then Michael Angelo was by no means original couplet -

'Non ha l'ottimo artista alcun concetto Che un marmo solo in se non circunscriva ' "

, or remarked, that, manner true gentleman, always aware of difference bearing vulgar, without being at once precisely able to determine in what such difference consists Allowing the remark applied in its full force outward demeanor acquaintance, it, eventful morning, still more fully applicable moral temperament and character Nor can I better define that peculiarity of spirit which seemed him so essentially apart from all other human beings, than by calling it habit of intense and continual thought, pervading even his most trivial actions - intruding upon his moments of dalliance - and interweaving itself very flashes of merriment - like adders which writhe from out the eyes grinning masks cornices around the temples of Persepolis

help, however, repeatedly observing, mingled tone of levity and solemnity he rapidly descanted upon matters of little importance, certain air of trepidation - degree of nervous unction in action and in speech - an unquiet excitability of manner which appeared at all times unaccountable, and upon some occasions even filled me with alarm Frequently, too, pausing middle of sentence whose commencement he had apparently forgotten, listening deepest attention, either in momentary expectation of visiter, or to sounds existence imagination alone

during reveries or pauses of apparent abstraction, that, in turning over page poet and scholar Politian's beautiful tragedy "The Orfeo," (the first native Italian tragedy,) which lay near me upon an ottoman, I discovered passage underlined in pencil passage towards the end third act - passage most heart-stirring excitement - passage which, although tainted with impurity, no man shall read without thrill of novel emotion - no woman without sigh The whole page was blotted with fresh tears ; and, opposite interleaf, were the following English lines, written in hand so very different peculiar characters acquaintance, that I had some difficulty in recognising it as his own : -

Thou wast that all , love, my soul did pine - green isle sea, love, fountain and shrine, All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers ; And all the flowers were mine Ah, dream too bright to last ! Ah, starry Hope, that didst arise But overcast ! voice from out the Future cries, "Onward ! " - but o'er the Past (Dim gulf ! ) my spirit hovering lies, Mute - motionless - aghast ! For alas ! alas ! with me The light of life is o'er "No more - no more - no more," (Such language holds the solemn sea sands shore,) Shall bloom the thunder-blasted tree, Or the stricken eagle soar ! Now all my hours are trances ; And all my nightly dreams Are where the dark eye glances, And where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, By what Italian streams Alas ! accursed time They bore thee o'er the billow, From Love to titled age and crime, And an unholy pillow ! - From me, and misty clime, Where weeps the silver willow !

lines were written in English - language I believed their author acquainted - afforded me little matter for surprise too well aware extent acquirements, and singular pleasure in concealing them from observation, astonished at any similar discovery ; but the place of date, confess, occasioned me no little amazement It originally written London_, and afterwards carefully overscored - not, however, so effectually conceal the word from scrutinizing eye , this occasioned me no little amazement ; for I well remember that, in former conversation with friend, I particularly inquired if he had at met in London the Marchesa di Mentoni, (who previous to her marriage had resided city,) when his answer, if I mistake not, to understand that he had never visited the metropolis of Great Britain here mention, that more than once heard, (without, , giving credit to report involving improbabilities,) person of whom I speak, was by birth, but in education, an Englishman

* * * * * * * * *

" one painting," said he, without being aware notice tragedy - " still one painting which seen " And throwing aside drapery, he discovered full-length portrait Marchesa Aphrodite

Human art done no more delineation of her superhuman beauty The same ethereal figure which stood before me the preceding night steps Ducal Palace, stood before me once again But expression countenance, beaming all over with smiles, there still lurked (incomprehensible anomaly ! ) that fitful stain of melancholy which will ever be found inseparable perfection beautiful Her right arm lay folded over her bosom With her left she pointed downward to curiously fashioned vase One small, fairy foot, alone visible, barely touched the earth ; and, scarcely discernible brilliant atmosphere which seemed to encircle and enshrine her loveliness, floated pair most delicately imagined wings My glance fell painting figure friend, vigorous words of Chapman's Bussy D'Ambois_, quivered instinctively upon my lips :

" up There like Roman statue ! stand Till Death hath made him marble ! "

"Come," , turning towards table of richly enamelled and massive silver, were few goblets fantastically stained, together with two large Etruscan vases, fashioned same extraordinary model foreground portrait, and filled with what I supposed Johannisberger "Come," , abruptly, " drink ! early - but drink indeed early," he continued, musingly, as cherub with heavy golden hammer made the apartment ring first hour after sunrise : " indeed early - but what matters it ? drink ! pour out an offering to yon solemn sun which these gaudy lamps and censers are so eager to subdue ! " And, having made me pledge him in bumper, he swallowed in rapid succession several goblets wine

"To dream," he continued, resuming the tone desultory conversation, as he held rich light of censer magnificent vases - "to dream the business life therefore framed , as , bower of dreams heart of Venice could erected better ? You behold around you, true, medley of architectural embellishments The chastity of Ionia is offended by antediluvian devices, sphynxes of Egypt are outstretched upon carpets of gold Yet the effect is incongruous timid alone Proprieties of place, and especially , are the bugbears which terrify mankind contemplation magnificent Once myself decorist ; but that sublimation of folly has palled upon my soul All now the fitter purpose Like these arabesque censers, my spirit is writhing in fire, delirium scene is fashioning me wilder visions land of real dreams whither now rapidly departing " He here paused abruptly, bent his head bosom, and seemed to listen to sound which hear , erecting his frame, he looked upwards, and ejaculated the lines Bishop of Chichester :

"Stay there ! fail_ To meet thee hollow vale "_

next instant, confessing the power wine, he threw himself at full-length upon an ottoman

quick step was now heard staircase, and loud knock door rapidly succeeded hastening to anticipate second disturbance, when page of Mentoni's household burst room, and faltered out, in voice choking with emotion, the incoherent words, "My mistress ! - my mistress ! - Poisoned ! - poisoned ! Oh, beautiful - oh, beautiful Aphrodite ! "

Bewildered, I flew ottoman, and endeavored to arouse the sleeper to sense startling intelligence But his limbs were rigid - his lips were livid - his lately beaming eyes were riveted in _death I staggered back towards the table - my hand fell upon cracked and blackened goblet - and consciousness entire and terrible truth flashed suddenly over my soul