At Capri. A story of Italian life

Front matter

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Chapter I

P'OR two days a furious storm had cut off all communication between the inhabitants . of the island of Capri and the mainland of Italy. The steamer from Naples had not ventured 'to approach the rugged cliffs of the “ Isle of Goats,” and travellers were compelled, if they did not wish to return, to disembark at Sorrento and wait for more favorable weather.

To-day a calm had ensued. The sea, which yesterday had heaved in wild surges and dashed madly far over the Marina, as if eager to seize the boats, the cautious fishermen had drawn up on the shore and securely fastened there — for they knew the malice of the contending elements — this sea now lay as calm and peaceful, as if

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its sole object were to serve as a huge mirror to reflect the blue sky.

And how intense, how brilliant was its hue ! - The blue of the lapis lazuli seemed dull and lifeless beside it. The storm had swept all mists and vapors from the air ; the outlines of the coast appeared with wonderful distinctness, a thin light column of smoke rose from Vesuvius and floated over it like a transparent cloud ; the white villas of Sorrento gleamed forth amid their groves of orange and citron. Farther. away the eye wandered over the gulf of Salerno, the reefs rising from the water to which are given the name of the Siren Islands, the once proud commercial city of Amalfi, which sits on the rocky shore like a dethroned queen, and on the other side the ruins of Paestum, whose most majestic temple, that of Neptune, glittered on the horizon like a tiny speck.

All this fair scene, bathed in the brightest sunlight, was beheld by a pair of eyes keen and far-sighted enough to need no glasses, eyes which though principally engaged in searching learned folios and deciphering ancient writings — had still preserved the sharpness of the falcon’s. The owner of these remarkable organs of vision, which however were not particularly handsome —

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they were grayish-blue eyes of no special color, such as one meets at every street corner in Germany — had been about a month at Capri and chosen this spot on account of its magnificent view, as his favorite resort. It was the Punta di Mitromania, which slopes sharply down in jagged cliffs, rude terraces, and primitive steps to the cave which is called by the inhabitants of the island Grotto di Matrimonio, and believed by the dark-eyed girls to possess the magic power of binding in the bonds of matrimony before the lapse of a year every one who dares to enter it.

The path leading to the “ Punta ” was not wholly free from danger, and required either the capacity for climbing of a goat or the freedom from dizziness of a native of the island. One was obliged to walk close beside the edge of the steep cliff, over rolling stones which yielded under the feet and bounded down into the abyss, and the hand seeking support could only cling to the bushes growing between the clefts of the rock.

But the toil was well repaid, the spot was one of incomparable beauty, a secluded region which seemed formed for quiet dreams, thoughts and labor. Chance had so ordered that no one of the two dozen artists, who had made a summer trip to Capri, had selected the Punta

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di Mitromania for the subject of a sketch. They were sitting about everywhere with their camp-chairs and white umbrellas, on the Marina, at the chapel of San Maria del Soccorso, among the ruins of Tiberius’s villa, on the Faraglioni, but fortunately they did not mount here, and the owner of the falcon eyes — by his full name and title Professor Walter Erichsen — might fancy that God had prepared a wondrously beautiful study for him alone. An olive tree rooted in a crevice of the rock gave him its shade, and the heat of the sun was moderated by the breeze from the water. He had prepared a compromise between a seat and a couch of a cushion and several shawls, which protected his person from too sharp an impression of the rough rocks. These useful articles, together with a small bottle of Capri wine, a basket in which the padrone of the hotel had packed a lunch of bread, cold meat, and oranges, and finally — last but not least — the various books and writing materials, were carried up each morning to the Punta on the back of a patient donkey, while Walter strolled along on foot and good-naturedly allowed Marietta, the owner of the beast, to ask him if he really had no sposa ” at home, and whether it was true that the sun there — what Marietta

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imagined by the term “ there ” it would have been difficult to discover — only showed itself for a few months ?

The artless prattle of the little creature, who was about fifteen years old, and whose clearly cut features unmistakably belonged to the Greek type, affected him like the soft plashing of the waves on the Marina. He heard, answered, and yet continued his own train of thought undisturbed. Marietta paused at a projecting rock, because the donkey could climb no farther up the steep path ; she relieved him of his burden, and stepping carelessly with her little bare feet over the sharp stones, carried it to the favorite spot of the forestiere,’' who to her secret amazement, was neither an artist nor an Englishman.

After pushing the basket of provisions and the flask of wine into a hollow of the rocks, to shield both from the heat of the sun, she withdrew with a smiling : “ Si diverta, Signore,” and while returning home accompanied by her long-eared companion, racked her pretty head in trying to discover what pleasure the foreign gentleman could find in sitting alone so many hours reading those thick books. Towards evening she set out again to bring the mysterious volumes and all the rest of the luggage back to the albergo, where Walter lived.

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It was already late in the afternoon, in two hours the sun would sink into the sea, and the guests at the hotel would be summoned to dinner.

“ Coeli temperies hieme mitis objcctu inontis^ quo scsva ventorurn arcentur ; cestas m favonium obversa et aperto circmn pelago peraifKBtia ; prospectabatque pulcherrimum sinum^ antequam Vesuvius mo7is ardescens- faciem loci verteretp read Erichsen, who with his head resting on his arm, had stretched himself out in a half-recumbent posture. He raised his eyes-;— yes, Capri was still exactly as Tacitus described it : The temperature in winter mild, because the mountains sheltered it from the cold winds ; the summer remarkably pleasant, since it had the western breezes and was surrounded by the sea; moreover it had a fine view of the most beautiful of bays, ere the eruption of Vesuvius altered the form of the landscape.

At any rate Tiberius was a man of taste, since he chose this island for his residence. And when we think of marble palaces towering from these rocks, palaces adorned with the masterpieces of Grecian sculptors and artists, we can easily understand how the aged emperor could live here ten years in retirement. The loneliness, the seclusion attracted him ; here he was near enough to hold in an iron grasp the haughty Rome . that he

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CJ>^ despised, Rome with her two millions of human beings collected from every quarter of the globe — one half the population a luxurious, shameless aristocracy, the 6ther a miserable rabble of slaves — and yet far enough away to enjoy undisturbed repose, since no one was permitted to land on the island without his knowledge.

To-day Walter had envied the unsocial Caesar his absolute power, as he watched the steamer from Sorrento, which evidently brought a large crowd of travellers. The table d’hote at the albergo would doubtless show a whole gallery of new, uninteresting faces, which would stare rigidly at every new-comer, and nothing but the harsh unmusical English tongue would be heard during the meal. The young professor always developed a genuine British stiffness, when he wished to ward off annoying intrusiveness ; he did not make acquaintances easily, and understood how to protect himself against unwarrantable advances, but he feared an invasion of his favorite retreat,

to which he had become so accustomed that he fancied he could not work so well anywhere else. And he had firmly resolved to finish at Capri, the “ Latin Studies” for which he had eagerly collected material in Rome. He wished when he recrossed the Alps in July to have the man.uscript ready for the printer. He had already lost a great deal of time, never before had he been so idle. To be sure, this Italian journey was intended to afford him the recreation he so greatly needed. For the first time in his life days had been spent in amusement and sight-seeing, and although they had increased his store of knowledge, his mind had been trained in so stern a school that this kind of study seemed only a pleasure.

Now he had fled to Capri, in order amid the wondrous beauties of nature, which promised to strengthen his excited nerves, unchecked by social considerations, to devote himself exclusively to mental labor. He had made considerable progress in a month, and could be tolerably well satisfied with himself He succeeded admirably in becoming absorbed in his subject. But frequently intrusive thoughts would come at the most inopportune moments ; they were suggested by the cool sea breezes, the fragrance of the orange blossoms, the glittering green lizards that moved with graceful agility over the hot rocks. See ! there was one ! Walter grasped the dainty creature, but it glided swiftly from under his fingers — lizards are not easily caught, he knew.

He let his head sink on his arm and read on : Grcecos ea tenuisse Capreasque Telebois habitatas fama tradit.

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Certainly! One need only look at the pure profiles, straight noses, and beautifully curved lips of the girls and women of the island, to perceive their Grecian origin. Greeks had colonized Capri, and their blood still flowed in the veins of the present inhabitants — the legend was credible enough. What a difference between these faces and those of the Neapolitans, who bask idly in the sun on Santa Lucia I

It afforded him peculiar pleasure to read again on classic soil the old authors he had translated in his school days 1 The intrusive thoughts melted away, and Walter again became absorbed in Tacitus.

Any one who had been observing him now — and who knows whether from behind the cliffs two eyes were not peering, that perhaps belonged to a siren who had swum over from one of the opposite islands — would have had ample leisure to scrutinize his exterior. His figure, clad in a comfortable gray summer suit, was of medium height, the firm easy carriage showed no trace of the student, but revealed the strict military discipline to which he had been subjected a short time before. Professor Erichsen, although his thirty-five years released him from the obligation of rendering military service, had voluntarily entered the Franco-Prussian war as an

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officer in the Landvvehr, distinguished himself in various ways and won the iron cross — his sole decoration, which he wore with modest pride. Most persons, especially ladies, would not have thought his face particularly attractive, nay, would have felt repelled by the expression of sternness caused by the two lines between his eyebrows. But it was a face, whose features bore the impress of conscious manliness and honest sincerity ; one could not pass him without thinking : that man is thoroughly reliable. The nose projected boldly from beneath a broad forehead, lined with premature wrinkles, over which thick short dark hair bristled somewhat obstinately. Do not waste your smiles and tears, fair child, you will hardly soften when he has once announced his will. The mouth, on the contrary, possessed almost womanly delicacy and grace, it was a pity that the closely trimmed beard concealed it. The hands, in striking contrast to the bronzed complexion, were remarkably white, beautifully formed, yet very muscular, alike adapted to guide the pen or wield the sword.

Professor Walter Erichsen came from North Germany ; he was the only son of an officer’s widow in modest, though not needy circumstances ; who had imposed the greatest sacrifices upon herself in order to be able to gratify the boy’s ardent desire to study. Walter had endeavored to support himself at the university by giving private lessons and reading proof for publishers, and afterwards found himself compelled to adopt the same means of earning a livelihood, if he did not wish to starve. To give lectures in the day, private instruction to young men preparing for their examination, and at night toil at his writing until dawn — such had been his life for many years.

Reared amid poor, but highly cultured people, he could with difficulty renounce certain refined habits, and made the greatest sacrifices in order always to appear outwardly a gentleman. Small close rooms, coarse linen, shabby clothing were unendurable to him ; he made actually superhuman efforts to escape from this oppressive poverty.

Just at this time the great war occurred, and the highly esteemed teacher entered with his pupils the ranks of those who battled for their native land. After peace was concluded he devoted himself with fresh energy to his profession, and soon after one of those lucky chances occurred which so often give a more favorable turn to life, than years of arduous toil. A prince, who had earned glorious laurels as a hero in the war, passed through the city and wished to examine the interesting collections of the ancient alma mater. The president of the college presented the various professors, that he might choose from their number a cicerone. The stately figure of Erichsen, who, to do honor to the royal commander in whose army corps he had served, wore his uniform, was instantly noticed by the prince, who designated him his guide. The professor’s easy manners and fearless frankness, the natural tone in which he showed his thorough knowledge of everything to be explained, greatly pleased the distinguished guest. He conversed constantly with him, delicately inquired about his private circumstances, and asked whether it would not be an advantage to his studies if he could spend some time in Italy ?

Walter did not deny that such a journey was the object of his most ardent longing, but his limited means rendered it absolutely impossible.

His affable patron told him as he bade him farewell, that he hoped the university in the capital might be able to secure his fresh intellectual power, and asked if he would be disposed to accept a call thither ? “ Of course

under the most advantageous conditions,” laughed the

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prince ; “ don’t estimate yourself below your value ! I depend upon seeing you again.”

He must have interceded in behalf of his proteg6, for at the end of three months Erichsen was offered a well paid professorship in the capital, while in the accompanying letter the Minister of Public Worship and Instruction informed him that the government had granted him a six months’ leave of absence and a considerable sum of money for the purpose of visiting Italy, and added in a very flattering postscript that science anticipated valuable treasures from the fruits of this sojourn.

So Walter had come to Italy. For the first time he felt free from the gnawing care, which had hitherto upbraided him for every moment not devoted to incessant labor. The sum given for the journey seemed unnecessarily large to one accustomed to deprivations ; true, his salary was by no means equal to that of a clerk in a large banking-house, but it was amply sufficient for his wants. If his pen continued to be industrious, he could establish a comfortable home, affectionately repay his mother for the thousand sacrifices she had made for him.

This was the modest curriculum vitcB of Professor Walter Erichsen, who was gazing from the Punta di 2

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Mitromania over the mirror-like sea, and holding eager intercourse with Tacitus, Juvenal, Suetonius and other ancient Romans.

A refreshing breeze bore to the young teacher the fragrance of the wild hyacinths and narcissus flowers blooming amid the rocks, and played with the leaves of the open books. The wind that swept across his brow must have borne on its wings one of those mischievous sprites that whisper foolish thoughts in the ears of men, for Walter’s keen eyes gradually grew dreamy as he gazed towards the Siren Isles. That divine hue of the sea ! So deep and warm, and yet so difficult to analyze ! Was it violet merging into blue, or a dark glowing emerald green ?

There were human beings — they were really fairies, elves, nixies, and did not belong to this weary, earthly, prosaic world — whose eyes had that same indescribable color, eyes that mirrored every change of feeling and ran through a whole scale of tints to passionate black.

“ When I look at your little feet, I cannot understand how they can support so much beauty !” he murmured.

Strange ! Those words were by no means written in his books. At this moment the professor had apparently lost his respect for science, for, stretching himself at full length, he pushed the precious volumes carelessly aside with his foot, and sighed a sigh that came from the bottom of his heart, a thing members of a faculty are never in the habit of doing. With both hands crossed under his head, he lay gazing absently at the cloudless sky, whose blue gleamed through the gray foliage of the olive trees. How gracefully the delicate oval leaves

swayed to and fro

“ When I see your dainty little feet ”

Those delicate little feet with the slender ankles, that glided so saucily about, that enchanting, variable creature, that charming Puck, Cobweb and Mustard Seed in one person ! That alluring siren, who bewitched every

one at whom she glanced

Not many would have had strength, like him, to break . those magic chains . . . Love ! He feared it as a burned child dreads the fire. He had already paid its terrible cost. While still struggling with bitter need, abject poverty, he had cherished a mad passion for a married woman. It was his first love, and seized upon him with the fierce power of a hurricane. The object of this wild love, a dark Southern beauty with large black eyes, had without affection wedded an elderly man, and

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possessed one of those dissatisfied natures that are always longing for some extraordinary happiness, and yet can only find it in the routine of every-day life. She returned Walter’s love, was happy in his presence, but trembled lest her position in ' society should be compromised. When he entreated her to break her bonds and become his wife, she recoiled in terror ; if he then said he would go away, since this secret, unjustifiable relation was unworthy of a man, she threw herself into his arms, and, with floods of tears, implored him not to leave her to despair.

A sudden death, which in moments of self-torture he accused himself of having caused — she had, while heated by dancing, hurried out into the winter night to entreat his forgiveness for one of the stormy scenes that frequently occurred between them — put an end to this state of affairs. But he had suffered from the after effects for years, his youthful spirits failed, his heart grew old. No more excitements, no more disappointments ! was his daily prayer. How many women were there in whom the charm of possession outlasted the first fleeting intoxication ? He was forced to confess to himself, that he should not have been happy by the side of the dark-

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No, no second love ! Perhaps at some future day a sensible marriage — even that must be long considered. To give up his personal independence in exchange for doubtful happiness ! A woman might be lovable and estimable, and yet for instance possess the peculiarity of always interrupting his train of thought at the wrong time; she might be jealous, irritated by the unavoidable mischances of life. What a chain of incalculable annoyances might be anticipated ! How easily he had packed his luggage for this journey, and how difficult it would have been if he had left a wife and child at home! Even the regular correspondence a wife had a right to command I What a tax to be compelled to write a letter, merely that she might not be anxious because she received no news. Divine freedom of the soul, the only thing that consoles us when, as helpless wheels of human machinery, members of a government, freedom of action is rudely curtailed — marriage usually deprives us of you. I will not sacrifice you thoughtlessly !

The young man was so absorbed in his reverie, that he carelessly pushed under his head a highly valued edition of Suetonius, which he usually treated with the utmost caution, heedless whether the sharp rock tore or defaced the leather binding.

The stern lines between the eyebrows gradually relaxed, the gloomy features assumed a gentler expression, and a faint smile even played around his lips.

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Chapter II

weeks after Erichsen first trod the soil of Italy, he arrived in Florence. His travelling companion was a Herr von Linden, who had joined him against his will, but whom he could not shake off. Linden was about the same age, and lived on the interest of a moderate property; as he was entirely unoccupied, he filled his time by performing various little services for his friends. He eagerly executed any commission, was happy if he could procure Frau von A. a companion, or blind Baron B. some one to read aloud; with good-natured amusement he called himself The Gratuitous Employment Office. He could supply every want, knew where genuine Marsala, old laces, and vieux Saxe were to be had, offered to execute the most difficult commissions, and it was only to be regretted that he did not devote to some more valuable purpose one-half the zeal and energy he displayed in these matters. He had heard high praise of the young professor, whose personal acquaintance he made by accident on the railroad. He

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liked Erichsen, whose reserved manners inspired him with respect; it was useful and interesting to visit classic scenes with a man of such attainments. In his boundless complaisance, he instantly sketched a plan of obtaining for the young professor, through an aristocratic aunt and uncle, the position of tutor to the Crown Prince. With this generous idea in his brain, he thought himself authorized in claiming the young man’s society without any further ceremony.

The incongruous travelling companions had gone to the Pitti Palace. Walter had hitherto had no opportunity to gratify his aesthetic tastes, but experience once more proved to him, that a clear, logically trained mind will instantly recognise what is of real value, even in departments of which it has no knowledge. One stroll through the collections had been suflScient to enable him to distinguish the style of the different masters, and identify them correctly without a catalogue.

He was particularly delighted with Titian’s portraits ; these men and w^omen in their quiet enjoyment of existence, the proud security of their individuality, embodied to him the golden age, when life and enjoyment of art were the same. One of his favorite pictures was the Magdalen, the beautiful woman with the luxuriant waves of red gold hair, which with one hand she timidly draws over her bosom.

“ Look,” he said to Von Linden, who was criticizing the exquisite outlines, “ there is no such hair at the present day, it has even vanished from the home of the Venetian women. I understand why Titian could not represent his most beautiful forms without this wonderderful ornament. There is a demoniacal charm that bewilders the senses in these gold and purple reflections, as if the fervor that animated these divine shapes blazed in flames around their heads.”

Von Linden, whose scanty hair bordered upon red, was highly edified by this paneygric, though he did not share Walter’s predilection for Titian, probably because instinct told him that these royal women would have cared very little for such a small, thin, fussy man as he. He sought out Rafael’s Madonna del Granduca, whose chaste purity inspired an elevated, pious mood, muttered in an under tone: “O santissima, O piissima,” and talked of consecrated hours.

Walter was leaning back in a window corner with folded arms, gazing at his favorite picture, when he heard a laugh, a light, gay, mocking laugh, such as is

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peculiar to elves, nixies, and such merry folks, who jeer at rude commonplace mortals.

“No, no, grandpapa,” said a childish voice, “you mustn’t want your breakfast yet, you must sustain yourself for at least half an hour on the masterpieces of art. I shall really be shamed before the courier, who will form a very bad opinion of our culture.”

“ You are a little tyrant, Andy,” replied a masculine voice ; “ I assure you I can’t endure all these Ascensions and Descents from the Cross.”

“ There is no lack of Venuses and other scantily clad heathenish ladies, whom your degenerate sex usually contemplate with delight,” laughed the elf in her silvery tones.

Walter turned. Beside an old gentleman, who had evidently belonged to the army, stood a young girl, whose slender figure, with its perfect symmetry, promised motions of unusual grace. Over her neck and shoulders fell in soft, heavy masses waves of magnificent red gold hair — it had been stolen from Titian’s Magdalen ! When unbound, it must have covered the little creature like a cloak ; what a warm golden light rested on the gleaming braids, the obstinate little curls that clustered round the pink ears ! Now she looked back and revealed a delicate,

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intellectual face, a complexion which is only found with red hair, pouting scarlet lips and a pair of eyes, that scanned him beneath their long lashes with a lightninglike glance, eyes that sparkled like diamonds and whose color he could not determine,

Walter had never seen a person who possessed such singular charms ; everything harmonized perfectly : the simple elegance of the toilette, the easy graceful movements, the gay saucy prattle. She did not appear to notice the glances she received on all sides from the gentlemen, but if any one was too persistent, she repelled him with a look whose hauteur could not be surpassed, and the next instant her face again assumed its expression of childish sauciness.

She now passed tolerably near him, to look at Titian’s Magdalen, and clapped her little hands in delight.

“ Do be enthusiastic for once, grandpapa !” she impatiently exclaimed, “ I should like to know why you came to Italy ! The beauties of nature, the wonders of art, win from you at the utmost a gracious nod, a ' very pretty !’ I don’t understand how you can stand before these things so stupidly; they fill me with ecstasy, and I feel so happy that I would like to throw my arms around your neck, if it were proper.^’

She shook the old gentleman, whose only reply was a faint smile, as if she expected by the touch to communicate to him the electric current of her own enthusiasm.

“ Will you never be quiet and sensible like other people, Andy ?” he asked.

“ No, never !” she energetically replied, drawing the velvet cap with its heron’s plume further over her face ;

“ you ought to be glad that I am an exception to sober, tiresome mortals.”

She turned so quickly, that one of her long tresses almost brushed Walter’s face, and a keen glance from the, as he -thought, emerald green eyes scanned his features.

“You must wait twenty minutes,” she laughingly declared, removing her hand from the old man’s arm.

“ I shan’t go until one o’clock, then the table may assert , its claims.”

She had scarcely taken a step, when she exclaimed :

“ Look there, grandpapa! That is surely the factotum of fashionable society, Herr Von Linden. ' Figaro qua, Figaro Id 1’ The most useful and convenient individual that can be imagined. I thought we should meet him somewhere about here.”

At that moment Herr Von Linden rushed up.

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“ Oh ! fair lady,” he cried, panting for breath, as with an expression of the greatest delight he kissed the slender little hand encased in a pearl-gray glove, “ how fortunate I am to meet you here ! I was told that your Excellency intended to go to Rome” — he shook hands with the General — “ and hoped to have the pleasure of seeing you at our ambassador’s, if not before. How is your wife ?”

“ Grandmamma is tired and therefore did not accompany us, she remained at the hotel with the companion — the same one you recommended ; we are very well satisfied with her” — replied the young lady. “We shall arrive in Rome at the beginning or middle of February, for the carnival is tolerably late this year : will you go with us or earlier ?”