pearance. Neither was disappointed, in one sense at least; the countenance, figure, and mien of the mariner much more than equalling his expectations. The stranger was a man of six-and-twenty, who stood five feet ten in his stockings, and whose frame was the very figure of activity, united to a muscle that gave very fair indications of strength. He was attired in an undress naval uniform, which he wore with a smart air, that one who understood these matters more by means of experience, and less by means of books, than Andrea Barrofaldi, would at once have detected did not belong to the manly simplicity of the English wardrobe. Nor were his features in the slightest degree those of one of the islanders, the outline being beautifully classical, more especially about the mouth and chin, while the cheeks were colourless, and the skin swarthy. His eye, too, was black as jet, and his cheek was half covered in whiskers of a hue dark as the raven's wing. His face, as a whole, was singularly beautiful - for handsome is a word not strong enough to express all the character that was conveyed by a conformation that might be supposed to have been copied from some antique medal, more especially when illuminated by a smile which at times rendered the whole countenance almost as bewitching as that of a lovely woman. There was nothing effeminate in the appearance of the young stranger, notwithstanding; his manly though sweet voice, well-knit frame, and firm look, affording every pledge of resolution and spirit. Both the vice-governor and the podestà were struck with the unusual personal advantages and smart air of the stranger, and each stood looking at him half-a-minute in silence, after the usual salutations had passed, and before the party was seated. Then, as the three took chairs, on a motion from Signor Barrofaldi, the latter opened the discourse. "They tell me that we have the honour to receive into our little haven a vessel of Inghilterra, Signor Capitano," observed the vicegovernor, earnestly regarding the other through his spectacles as he spoke, and that, too, in a manner not altogether free from distrust. "Signor Vice-governatore, such is the flag under which I have the honour to serve," returned the mariner. "You are an Inglese yourself, I trust, Signor Capitano - what name shall I enter in my book, here?" "Jaques Smeet," answered the other, betraying what might have proved two very fatal shibboleths in the ears of those who were practised in the finesse of our very unmusical language, by attempting to say "Jack Smith." "Jaques Smeet!" repeated the vice-governor, - "that is, Giacomo, in our Italian -" "No no - Signore," hastily interrupted Capitain Smeet, "not Jaqueomo, but Jaques - Giovanni, turned into Jaques by the aid of a little salt water." "Ah! I begin to understand you, Signore; you English have this usage in your language, though you have softened the word a little, in mercy to our ears. But we Italians are not afraid of such sounds; and I know the name. - 'Giac Smeet' Il Capitano Giac Smeet I have long suspected my English master of ignorance, for he was merely one of our Leghorn pilots, who has sailed in a bastimento de guerra of your country - he called your honourable name 'Smees,' Signore." "He was very wrong, Signor Vice-governatore," answered the other, clearing his throat by a slight effort; "we always call our family 'Smeet." "And the name of your lugger, Signor Capitano Smeet?" suspending his pen over the paper in expectation of the answer. "Ze Ving-and-Ving" - pronouncing the ws in a very different way from what they had been sounded in answering the hails. "Ze Ving-y-Ving," repeated Signor Barrofaldi, writing the name in a manner to show that it was not the first time he had heard it; "ze Ving-y-Ving; that is a poetical appellation, Signor Capitano; may I presume to ask what it signifies?" "Ala e ala, in your Italian, Mister Vice-governatore. When a craft like mine has a sail spread on each side, resembling a bird, we say, in English, that she marches 'Ving-and-Ving." Andrea Barrofaldi mused, in silence, near a minute. During this interval, he was thinking of the improbability of any but a boná fide Englishman dreaming of giving a vessel an appellation so thoroughly idiomatic, and was fast mystifying himself, as so often happens with tyros in any particular branch of knowledge, by his own critical acumen. Then he half whispered a conjecture on the subject to Vito Viti, influenced quite as much by a desire to show his neighbour his own readiness in such matters, as by any other feeling. The podestà was less struck by the distinction than his superior; but, as became one of his limited means, he did not venture an objection. "Signor Capitano," resumed Andrea Barrofaldi, "since when have you English adopted the rig of the lugger? It is an unusual craft for so great a naval nation, they tell me." - you su "Bah! I see how it is, Signor Vice-governatore, spect me of being a Frenchman, or a Spaniard, or something else than I claim to be. On this head, however, you may set your heart at rest, and put full faith in what I tell you. My name is Capitaine Jaques Smeet; my vessel is ze Ving-and-Ving; and my service that of the King of England." "Is your craft, then, a king's vessel? or does she sail with the commission of a corsair?" "Do I look like a corsair, Signor?" demanded le Capitaine Smeet, with an offended air; "I have reason to feel myself injured by so unworthy an imputation!" "Your pardon, Signor Capitano Smees, - but our duty is a very delicate one on this unprotected island, in times so troubled as these in which we live. It has been stated to me, as coming from the most experienced pilot of our haven, that your lugger has not altogether the appearance of a vessel of the Inglese, while she has many points that belong to the corsairs of France; and a prudent caution imposes on me the office of making certain of your nation. Once assured of that, it will be the delight of the Elbans to prove how much we honour and esteem our illustrious allies." "This is so reasonable, and so much according to what I do myself, when I meet a stranger at sea," cried the captain, stretching forth both arms in a frank and inviting manner, "that none but a knave would object to it. Pursue your own course, Signor Vice-governatore, and satisfy all your scruples in your own manner. How shall this be done? will you go on board ze Ving-and-Ving and look for yourself - send this honourable magistrate - or shall I show you my commission? Here is the last, altogether at your service, and that of his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke." "I flatter myself with having sufficient knowledge of Inghilterra, Signor Capitano, though it be by means of books, to discover an impostor, could I believe you capable of appearing in so unworthy a character, and that, too, in a very brief conversation. We bookworms," added Andrea Barrofaldi, with a glance of triumph at his neighbour, for he now expected to give the podestà an illustration of the practical benefits of general learning, (a subject that had often been discussed between them,) "we book-worms, can manage these trifles in our own way; and if you will consent to enter into a short dialogue on the subject of England, her habits, language, and laws, this question will be speedily put at rest." "You have me at command, and nothing would delight me more than to chat for a few minutes about that little island It is not large, Signore, and is, doubtless, of little worth; but, as my country, it is much in my eyes." "This is natural. And now, Signor Capitano," added Andrea, glancing at the podestà to make sure that he was listening, "will you have the goodness to explain to me what sort of a government this Inghilterra possesses, - whether monarchy, aristocracy, or democracy?" "Peste! - that is not so easily answered. There is a king, and yet there are powerful lords; and a democracy, too, that sometimes gives trouble enough. Your question might puzzle a philosopher, Signor Vice-governatore." "This may be true enough, neighbour Vito Viti, for the constitution of Inghilterra is an instrument of many strings. Your answer convinces me that you have thought on the subject of your government, Capitano, and I honoura reflecting man in all situations in life. What is the religion of the country?" "Corpo di Bacco! that is harder to answer than all the rest. We have as many religions in England as we have people. It is true the law says one thing on this head, but then the men, women, and children, say another. Nothing has troubled me more than this same matter of religion." "Ah! you sailors do not disquiet your souls with such thoughts, if the truth must be said. Well, we will be indulgent on this subject, - though, out of doubt, you and all your people are Luterani?" "Set us down as what you please," answered the captain, with an ironical smile. "Our fathers, at any rate, were all good Catholics once. But seamanship and the altar are the best of friends, living quite independent of each other." "That I will answer for. It is much the same here, caro Vito Viti, though our mariners do burn so many lamps and offer up so many aves." "Your pardon, Signor Vice-governatore," interrupted the Signor Smeet, with a little earnestness; "this is the great mistake of your seamen in general. Did they pray less and look to their duties more, their voyages would be shorter, and the profits more certain." "Scandalous!" exclaimed the podestà, in hotter zeal than it was usual for him to betray. "Nay, worthy Vito Viti, it is even so," interrupted the deputy, with a wave of the hand, which was as authoritative as the concession was liberal and indicative of a spirit enlightened by study; "the fact must be conceded. There is the fable of Hercules and the waggoner to confirm it. Did our men first strive, and then pray, more would be done than by first praying and then striving; - and now, Signor Capitano, a word on your language, of which I have some small knowledge, and which, doubtless, you speak like a native." "Sairtainlee," answered the captain, with perfect self-composure, changing the form of speech from the Italian to the English with a readiness that proved how strong he felt himself on this point; "one cannot fail to speak ze tongue of his own mozair." This was said without any confusion of manner, and with an accent that might very well mislead a foreigner, and it sounded imposing to the vice-governor, who felt a secret consciousness that he could not have uttered such a sentence to save his own life, |