most shocking description--he spared no deformity or defect of any one
of us if it happened to engage his eye. Sometimes a whole hour's lecture
would be consumed in a scandalous tale of Rome or Naples, sometimes
indeed it would be a reminiscence of his own youthful days, which
policy, if not propriety, should have counselled him to omit. Yet, as I
say, he never lost the respect of the class, but was feared, served, and
punctually obeyed.

It was much the same at home--that is, his methods and their efficacy
were the same. In private life he was an easy, rough, facetious
companion, excessively free in his talk, excessively candid in the
expression of his desires, and with a reserve of stinging repartee which
must have been more blessed to give than to receive. Terrible storms of
rage possessed him at times, under which the house seemed to rock and
roll, which sent his sweet wife cowering into a corner. But, though she
feared him, she respected and loved the man--and I was to find that out
to my cost before my first year was out.

Meantime that year of new experience, uplifting love and growth by
inches must ever remain wonderful to me--with Aurelia's music in my ears
and Love's wild music in my heart. Happy, happy days of my youth!

"Dichosa edad y siglos dichosos aquellos, a quien los antiguos pusieron
nombre de dorados!" cried the knight of La Mancha; and I may call that
Paduan year my age of song. It ran its course to the sound of flutes,
harps, and all sweet music. I never knew, until I knew Aurelia, that
such exulting tides of melody could pour from human throat.

When Aurelia rose in the morning and threw open her green shutters, if
the sunlight was broad upon the Pra, flecked upon the trees, striking