Woman in the Nineteenth Century Part 32

LETTER FROM HON. LEWIS Ca.s.s, JR., UNITED STATES CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AT ROME, TO MRS. E. K. CHANNING.

_Legation des Etats Unis d'Amerique, Rome, May_ 10, 1851.

Madame: I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the ---- ult., and to express my regret that the weak state of my eyesight has prevented me from giving it an earlier reply.

In compliance with your request, I have the honor to state, succinctly, the circ.u.mstances connected with my acquaintance with the late Madame Ossoli, your deceased sister, during her residence in Rome.

In the month of April, 1849, Rome, as you are no doubt aware, was placed in a state of siege by the approach of the French army. It was filled at that time with exiles and fugitives who had been contending for years, from Milan in the north to Palermo in the south, for the republican cause; and when the gates were closed, it was computed that there were, of Italians alone, thirteen thousand refugees within the walls of the city, all of whom had been expelled from adjacent states, till Rome became their last rallying-point, and, to many, their final resting-place. Among these was to be seen every variety of age, sentiment, and condition,--striplings and blanched heads; wild, visionary enthusiasts; grave, heroic men, who, in the struggle for freedom, had ventured all, and lost all; n.o.bles and beggars; bandits, felons and brigands. Great excitement naturally existed; and, in the general apprehension which pervaded all cla.s.ses, that acts of personal violence and outrage would soon be committed, the foreign residents, especially, found themselves placed in an alarming situation.

On the 30th of April the first engagement took place between the French and Roman troops, and in a few days subsequently I visited several of my countrymen, at their request, to concert measures for their safety. Hearing, on that occasion, and for the first time, of Miss Fuller's presence in Rome, and of her solitary mode of life, I ventured to call upon her, and offer my services in any manner that might conduce to her comfort and security. She received me with much kindness, and thus an acquaintance commenced. Her residence on the Piazzi Barberini being considered an insecure abode, she removed to the Casa Dies, which was occupied by several American families.

In the engagements which succeeded between the Roman and French troops, the wounded of the former were brought into the city, and disposed throughout the different hospitals, which were under the superintendence of several ladies of high rank, who had formed themselves into a.s.sociations, the better to ensure care and attention to those unfortunate men. Miss Fuller took an active part in this n.o.ble work; and the greater portion of her time, during the entire siege, was pa.s.sed in the hospital of the Trinity of the Pilgrims, which was placed under her direction, in attendance upon its inmates.

The weather was intensely hot; her health was feeble and delicate; the dead and dying were around her in every stage of pain and horror; but she never shrank from the duty she had a.s.sumed. Her heart and soul were in the cause for which those men had fought, and all was done that Woman could do to comfort them in their sufferings. I have seen the eyes of the dying, as she moved among them, extended on opposite beds, meet in commendation of her universal kindness; and the friends of those who then pa.s.sed away may derive consolation from the a.s.surance that nothing of tenderness and attention was wanting to soothe their last moments. And I have heard many of those who recovered speak with all the pa.s.sionate fervor of the Italian nature, of her whose sympathy and compa.s.sion, throughout their long illness, fulfilled all the offices of love and affection. Mazzini, the chief of the Triumvirate, who, better than any man in Rome, knew her worth, often expressed to me his admiration of her high character; and the Princess Belgiojoso. to whom was a.s.signed the charge of the Papal Palace, on the Quirinal, which was converted on this occasion into a hospital, was enthusiastic in her praise. And in a letter which I received not long since from this lady, who was gaining the bread of an exile by teaching languages in Constantinople, she alludes with much feeling to the support afforded by Miss Fuller to the republican party in Italy. Here, in Rome, she is still spoken of in terms of regard and endearment, and the announcement of her death was received with a degree of sorrow not often bestowed upon a foreigner, especially one of a different faith.

On the 29th of June, the bombardment from the French camp was very heavy, sh.e.l.ls and grenades falling in every part of the city. In the afternoon of the 30th, I received a brief note from Miss Fuller, requesting me to call at her residence. I did so without delay, and found her lying on a sofa, pale and trembling, evidently much exhausted. She informed me that she had sent for me to place in my hand a packet of important papers, which she wished me to keep for the present, and, in the event of her death, to transmit it to her friends in the United States. She then stated that she was married to Marquis Ossoli, who was in command of a battery on the Pincian Hill,--that being the highest and most exposed position in Rome, and directly in the line of bombs from the French camp. It was not to be expected, she said, that he could escape the dangers of another night, such as the last; and therefore it was her intention to remain with him, and share his fate. At the Ave Maria, she added, he would come for her, and they would proceed together to his post. The packet which she placed in my possession, contained, she said, the certificates of her marriage, and of the birth and baptism of her child. After a few words more, I took my departure, the hour she named having nearly arrived. At the porter's lodge I met the Marquis Ossoli, and a few moments afterward I saw them walking toward the Pincian Hill.

Happily, the cannonading was not renewed that night, and at dawn of day she returned to her apartments, with her husband by her side. On that day the French army entered Rome, and, the gates being opened, Madame Ossoli, accompanied by the Marquis, immediately proceeded to Rieti, where she had left her child in the charge of a confidential nurse, formerly in the service of the Ossoli family.

She remained, as you are no doubt aware, some months at Rieti, whence she removed to Florence, where she resided until her ill-fated departure for the United States. During this period I received several letters from her, all of which, though reluctant to part with them, I enclose to your address in compliance with your request.

I am, Madame, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

LEWIS Ca.s.s, JR.

APPENDIX.

A.

Apparition of the G.o.ddess Isis to her votary, from Apulelus.

"Scarcely had I closed my eyes, when, behold (I saw in a dream), a divine form emerging from the middle of the sea, and raising a countenance venerable even to the G.o.ds themselves. Afterward, the whole of the most splendid image seemed to stand before me, having gradually shaken off the sea. I will endeavor to explain to you its admirable form, if the poverty of human language will but afford me the power of an appropriate narration; or if the divinity itself, of the most luminous form, will supply me with a liberal abundance of fluent diction. In the first place, then, her most copious and long hairs, being gradually intorted, and promiscuously scattered on her divine neck, were softly defluous. A multiform crown, consisting of various flowers, bound the sublime summit of her head. And in the middle of the crown, just on her forehead, there was a smooth orb, resembling a mirror, or rather a white refulgent light, which indicated that she was the moon. Vipers, rising up after the manner of furrows, environed the crown on the right hand and on the left, and Cerealian ears of corn were also extended from above. Her garment was of many colors, and woven from the finest flax, and was at one time lucid with a white splendor, at another yellow, from the flower of crocus, and at another flaming with a rosy redness. But that which most excessively dazzled my sight, was a very black robe, fulgid with a dark splendor, and which, spreading round and pa.s.sing under her right side, and ascending to her left shoulder, there rose protuberant, like the centre of a shield, the dependent part of her robe falling in many folds, and having small knots of fringe, gracefully flowing in its extremities. Glittering stars were dispersed through the embroidered border of the robe, and through the whole of its surface, and the full moon, shining in the middle of the stars, breathed forth flaming fires. A crown, wholly consisting of flowers and fruits of every kind, adhered with indivisible connection to the border of conspicuous robe, in all its undulating motions.

"What she carried in her hands also consisted of things of a very different nature. Her right hand bore a brazen rattle, through the narrow lamina of which, bent like a belt, certain rods pa.s.sing, produced a sharp triple sound through the vibrating motion of her arm.

An oblong vessel, in the shape of a boat, depended from her left hand, on the handle of which, in that part which was conspicuous, an asp raised its erect head and largely swelling neck. And shoes, woven from the leaves of the victorious palm-tree, covered her immortal feet.

Such, and so great a G.o.ddess, breathing the fragrant odor of the sh.o.r.es of Arabia the happy, deigned thus to address me."

The foreign English of the translator, Thomas Taylor, gives this description the air of being itself a part of the mysteries. But its majestic beauty requires no formal initiation to be enjoyed.

B.

I give this in the original, as it does not bear translation. Those who read Italian will judge whether it is not a perfect description of a perfect woman.

LODI E PREGHIERE A MARIA.

Vergine bella che di sol vest.i.ta, Coronata di stelle, al sommo Sole Piacesti si, che'n te sua luce ascose; Amor mi spinge a dir di te parole; Ma non so 'ncominciar senza tu' alta, E di Coiul che amando in te si pose.

Invoco lei che ben sempre rispose, Chi la chiamo con fede.

Vergine, s'a mercede Miseria extrema dell' smane cose Giammal tivoise, al mio prego t'inohina; Soccorri alla mia guerra; Bench' l' sia terra, e tu del oiel Regina.

Vergine saggia, e del bel numero una Delle beata vergini prudenti; Anzi la prima, e con piu chiara lampa; O saldo scudo dell' afflitte gente Contra colpi di Morte e di Fortuna, Sotto' l' quai si trionfu, non pur scampa: O refrigerio alcieco ardor ch' avvampa Qui fra mortali schiocchi, Vergine, que' begli occhi Che vider tristi la spietata stampa Ne' dolci membri del tuo caro figlio, Volgi ai mio dubbio stato; Che sconsigliato a te vien per consiglio.

Vergine pura, d'ognti parte intera, Del tuo parto gentil figlluola e madre; Che allumi questa vita, e t'altra adorni; Per te il tuo Figlio e quel del sommo Padre, O finestra del ciel lucente altera, Venne a salvarne in su gli estremi giorni, E fra tutt' i terreni altri soggiorni Sola tu fusti eletta, Vergine benedetta; Che 'l pianto d' Eva in allegrezza torni'; Fammi; che puoi; della sua grazia degno, Senza fine o beata, Gla coronata nel superno regno.

Vergine santa d'ogni grazia piena; Che per vera e altissima umiltate.

Salisti al ciel, onde miel preghi ascolti; Tu partoristi il fonte di pietate, E di giustizia il Sol, che ra.s.serena Il secol pien d'errori oscuri et tolti; Tre dolci et cari nomi ha' in te raccolti, Madre, Figliuola e Sposa: Vergine gloriosa, Donna del Re che nostri lacci a sciolti E fatto 'l mondo libero et felice, Nelle cui sante piaghe Prego ch'appaghe il cor, vera beatrice.

Vergine sola al mondo senza exempio Che 'l ciel di tue bellezze innamorasti, Cui ne prima fu simil ne seconda, Santi penseri, atti pietosi et casti Al vero Dio sacrato et vivo tempio Fecero in tua verginita feconda.

Per te po la mia vita esser ioconda, Sa' tuoi preghi, o Maria, Vergine dolce et pia, Ove 'l fallo abondo, la gratia abonda.

Con le ginocchia de la mente inchine, Prego che sia mia scorta, E la mia torta via drizzi a buon fine.

Vergine chiara et stabile in eterno, Di questo tempestoso mare stella, D'ogni fedel nocchier fidata guida, Pon' mente in che terribile procella I' mi ritrovo sol, senza governo, Et o gia da vicin l'ultime strida.

Ma pur in te l'anima mia si fida, Peccatrice, i' nol nego, Vergine; ma ti prego Che 'l tuo nemico del mio mal non rida: Ricorditi che fece il peccar nostro Prender Dio, per scamparne, Umana carne al tuo virginal chiostro.

Vergine, quante lagrime ho gia sparte, Quante lusinghe et quanti preghi indarno, Pur per mia pena et per mio grave danno!

Da poi ch'i nacqui in su la riva d'Arno; Cercando or questa ed or quell altra parte, Non e stata mia vita altro ch'affanno.

Mortal bellezza, atti, o parole m' hanno Tutta ingombrata l'alma, Vergine sacra, ed alma, Non tardar; ch' i' non forse all' ultim 'ann, I di miel piu correnti che saetta, Fra mierie e peccati Sonsen andati, e sol Morte n'aspetta.

Vergine, tale e terra, e posto ha in doglia Lo mio cor; che vivendo in pianto il tenne; E di mille miel mali un non sapea; E per saperlo, pur quel che n'avvenne, Fora avvento: ch' ogni altra sua voglia Era a me morte, ed a lei fama rea Or tu, donna del ciel, tu nostra Dea, Se dir lice, e convicusi; Vergine d'alti sensi, Tu vedi il tutto; e quel che non potea Far oltri, e nulla a e la tua gran virtute; Pon fine al mio dolore; Ch'a te onore ed a mo fia salute.

Vergine, in cui ho tutta mia speranza Che possi e vogli al gran bisogno altarme; Non mi lasciare in su l'estremo pa.s.so; Non guardar me, ma chi degno crearme; No'l mio valor, ma l'alta sua sembianza; Che in me ti mova a curar d'uorm si ba.s.so.

Medusa, e l'error mio lo han fatto un sa.s.so D'umor vano stillante; Vergine, tu di sante Lagrime, e pie adempi 'l mio cor la.s.so; Ch' almen l'ultlmo pianto sia divoto, Senza terrestro limo; Come fu'l primo non d'insania voto.

Vergine umana, e nemica d'orgoglio, Del comune principio amor t'induca; Miserere d'un cor contrito umile; Che se poca mortal terra caduca Amar con si mirabil fede soglio; Che devro far di te cosa gentile?

Se dal mio stato a.s.sai misero, e vile Per le tue man resurgo, Vergine; e sacro, e purgo Al tuo nome e pensieri e'ngegno, o stile; La lingua, o'l cor, le lagrime, e i sospiri, Scorgimi al migilor guado; E prendi in grado i cangiati desiri.

Il di s'appressa, e non pote esser lunge; Si corre il tempo, e vola, Vergine unica, e sola; E'l cor' or conscienza, or morte punge.

Raccommandami al tuo Figiluol, verace Uomo, e veraco Dio; Ch'accolga i mio spirto ultimo in pace.

As the Scandinavian represented Frigga the Earth, or World-mother, knowing all things, yet never herself revealing them, though ready to be called to counsel by the G.o.ds, it represents her in action, decked with jewels and gorgeously attended. But, says the Mythes, when she ascended the throne of Odin, her consort (Heaven), she left with mortals her friend, the G.o.ddess of Sympathy, to protect them in her absence.

Since, Sympathy goes about to do good. Especially she devotes herself to the most valiant and the most oppressed. She consoles the G.o.ds in some degree even for the death of their darling Baldur. Among the heavenly powers she has no consort.