Previous - next
quarrel with him, was with me full of gentleness and cordiality.
Other distinguished characters likewise became attached to me, and I
returned all their regard. Neither envy nor calumny had the least
influence over me, or I felt it only from persons who had not the
power to injure me. On the fall of the kingdom of Italy, my father
removed to Turin, with the rest of his family. I had preferred to
remain at Milan, where I spent my time at once so profitably and so
happily as made me unwilling to leave it. Here I had three friends
to whom I was greatly attached--D. Pietro Borsieri, Lodovico di
Breme, and the Count Luigi Porro Lambertenghi. Subsequently I added
to them Count Federigo Confalonieri. {19} Becoming the preceptor of
two young sons of Count Porro, I was to them as a father, and their
father acted like a brother to me. His mansion was the resort not
only of society the most refined and cultivated of Italy, but of
numbers of celebrated strangers. It was there I became acquainted
with De Stael, Schlegel, Davis, Byron, Brougham, Hobhouse, and
illustrious travellers from all parts of Europe. How delightful,
how noble an incentive to all that is great and good, is an
intercourse with men of first-rate merit!. I was then happy; I
would not have exchanged my lot with a prince; and now, to be
hurled, as I had been, from the summit of all my hopes and projects,
into an abyss of wretchedness, and to be hurried thus from dungeon
to dungeon, to perish doubtless either by a violent death or
lingering in chains.
CHAPTER LI.
Absorbed in reflections like these, I reached San Michele, and was
locked up in a room which embraced a view of the court yard, of the
lake, and the beautiful island of Murano. I inquired respecting
Maroncelli from the jailer, from his wife, and the four assistants;
but their visits were exceedingly brief, very ceremonious, and, in
fact, they would tell me nothing.
Nevertheless where there are five or six persons, it is rarely you
do not find one who possesses a compassionate, as well as a
communicative disposition. I met with such a one, and from him I
learnt what follows:-
Maroncelli, after having been long kept apart, had been placed with
Count Camillo Laderchi. {20} The last, within a few days, had been
declared innocent, and discharged from prison, and the former again
remained alone. Some other of our companions had also been set at
liberty; the Professor Romagnosi, {21} and Count Giovanni
Arrivabene. {22} Captain Rezia {23} and the Signor Canova were
together. Professor Ressi {24} was dying at that time, in a prison
next to that of the two before mentioned. "It follows then," said
I, "that the sentences of those not set at liberty must have
arrived. How are they to be made known? Perhaps, poor Ressi will
die; and will not be in a state to hear his sentence; is it true?"
Previous - next
