ANXIETY TO ARRIVE AT ROME.

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meet with little resistance. My Vetturino is a feeble old man, nodding over the backs of his mules, which appear nearly as worn out as himself, while they move along step by step, at a pace so slow that I often think they will stop altogether.

Friday Evening. Arrived at Rorciglione ; as usual, we were shewn into the public eating-room, where I perceived some soldiers sitting at table. I refused to sit down with them, and passed on to my bed-room, whither the waiter followed with my dinner. This evening I reflect with a thankful heart, that it is the last which I shall spend separate from my friends. Oh! how eager has been my desire to be re-united to them! Perhaps, too eager, since all which has happened has been disposed by the great and all-wise Ruler of events. Oh that I could unfeignedly commit all my concerns to his guidance! as some one has expressed it, "to lie passive in his hands." This, to me most painful, separation from those so very dear to me, was permitted, doubtless, to fulfil some purpose of mercy: oh, may it be fulfilled in them and in me. The thoughts of the happiness which I shall feel if I find them all well, almost overpowers me. I will now lie down to sleep, with gratitude to that divine goodness which hitherto has preserved me.

La Storta, Saturday, June 12th.-The country through which I travelled this morning, is open and barren; no appearance of cultivation to relieve

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ARRIVAL AT ROME.

I

the eye. This place, where I am to breakfast, does not deserve the name even of a village, consisting of two or three wretched dwellings, standing alone. Once more, for the last time, I am going to get into the carriage; my next resting-place will be ROME, where I shall very soon be surrounded by my most dear friends. They will know when to expect me, and will probably come to meet me. can think of nothing else; my imagination still brings them before my eyes, especially the three children, much grown and improved. First, my sweet Anny, now twelve years old, my animated playful child, grown in intellect and stature; and Elizabeth and Richard, all bounding around me, all clinging to me, and pressing me to their little affectionate hearts. Surely my cup will run over : so much happiness will be too great for me! But now I am summoned; the mules are rested, and the carriage waits.

Rome, Saturday Night. Alas! my friend, my gay visions are flown! All my bright anticipations are reversed. As I approached the ancient city, all that I saw interested me; though I had no one to point out the peculiar objects of interest. I looked at Soracte without knowing that it was that classical mountain; and at Monte Mario, unconscious that I was not more than a mile from Palazzo Sciarra. I saw the heavy rolling Tiber, and crossed Ponte Molle, without recognizing the muddy waters of the one, or thinking of the heroes who rode tri

ROME-MAGNIFICENT ENTRANCE.

47

umphantly over the other. I did not expect to arrive before the evening; and when I reached the magnificent entrance of Rome by the Porta del Popolo I was awe-struck. A solemn and universal stillness seemed to pervade every object. Two beautiful churches adorn each side of the gate; and, instead of driving into a street of houses, we opened upon a large piazza, in the centre of which stands an Egyptian obelisk. Here we stopped; and, whilst I was looking round with great admiration, a man put into the window of the carriage my lasciar passare, together with a note from my sister, telling me of the alarming illness of my darling Anny, and from thence I saw no more; for my tears blinded me. When the carriage stopped at the Palazzo Sciarra, I thought it was the Dogana, until a servant advanced saying, "Sua sorella," and I perceived my sister just behind him; but the meeting was very sad, for our beloved Anny lay dangerously ill, with an inflammatory fever. After all which I had suffered in my long journey both by sea and land, I did not meet one smile to greet my arrival. Ill as the dear child is, she anxiously watched my approach; it was feared that her seeing me immediately might be too great an excitement, but she would not hear of my being kept from her, and said that I should do her more good than the doctor.

LETTER VI.

Rome, June 29,

my

MY DEAR FRIEND,

THE Lord hath taken pity upon us; he has heard our prayers and turned away the arrow of death. Our sweet Anny recovers very slowly, but still she is recovering, and we hope in a short time to be able to remove her to a summer residence, which brother-in-law has taken near Naples. Many anxious hours my sister and I have passed by her bed-side since the day of my arrival. The night after, she changed for the worse, and her existence seemed to hang upon a thread; bleeding and blistering however relieved her; or rather I should say, the Lord heard our prayers and blessed the means employed. In this interval I have taken many pleasant walks and seen many interesting sights with the two children and their father; but an "horrible dread had taken hold upon me," and I enjoyed nothing, nor had I spirits to write any distinct account of what I saw.

Almost since the birth of that child, as you well know, my heart has been bound up in her; and I felt as if, in the loss of her, almost every earthly tie would be broken. This day she was anxious that I should go to St. Peter's, to see the Pope

DEPARTURE FOR NAPLES.

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carried in his chair of state; and to gratify her, more than myself, I went, but I cannot describe to you what I saw. All was shew and grandeur, parade and pageantry; there was nothing to remind one of the spiritual worship of God. Here His service was neglected while man was exalted; my heart, already sad, sickened at looking upon it; and I was glad to turn away my eyes from beholding such vanity.

Friday, July 9. This morning my sister went forward to Ariccia with Anny, where she purposes remaining with some kind friends until Monday, when we are to join her, and then proceed on our way to Naples. This plan will shorten the journey, and render it easier to our delicate child.

July 12. Ariccia. Monday morning at four o'clock we locked up our apartments at Palazzo Sciarra; and, with all our servants, commenced our journey to Naples, which lay as far as Albano through the desolate Campagna of Rome. I am now no longer without an intelligent guide: my brother-in-law lets nothing pass his quick observation, and being deeply skilled in classic lore, gives pleasant and useful information to all around him. Occasionally on the way side he pointed out to me the rude vestige of what was once the magnificent receptacle of the ashes of some hero. There was little else to attract our attention until we approached Albano; then the country improves, and is enlivened by many picturesque and beautiful

D