ent among all the
connoisseurs. As for landscapes, they were no more to be thought of,
and Hackert himself confessed that the youth had not till now
discovered his proper vocation. He had to paint many large works, such
as altar-pieces for churches, and generally selected the more cheerful
subjects of Christian tradition. From all of these, however, the noble
form of his ideal beamed forth. It was discovered that the face and
figure of the Princess Angiola T---- were represented to the life; nay,
this fact was communicated to the young painter himself, and knowing
folks waggishly insinuated that the German was smitten to the heart by
the brilliant eyes of the lovely dame. Berthold was highly indignant
at this silly gossip of people who wished to lower the heavenly into
the mere earthy. 'Do you believe,' he said, 'that such a being could
wander here upon earth? No; the highest was revealed in a wondrous
vision; it was the moment when the artist receives consecration.'
Berthold lived happy, until the French army, after Bonaparte's
conquests in Italy, approached the kingdom of Naples, and the
revolution, which so fearfully destroyed all the peaceful relations of
the place, broke out. The king and queen had left Naples, and the
_Citta_ was appointed. The vicar-general concluded a disgraceful truce
with the French commander, and the French commissaries soon came to
receive the sums that were to be paid them. The vicar-general fled to
escape the rage of the people, who believed themselves deserted by him,
by the _Citta_, and, in short, by all who could defend them against the
approaching enemy. Then were all the bands of society loosened. The
people, in a state of wild anarchy, set law and order at defiance, and
with the cry, 'Viva la Santa Fede!' wild hordes ran through the streets
plundering and burning the houses of the nobles, who they thought had
sold them to the enemy. Vain were the endeavours of Moliterno and
Rocca Romana, who were the favourites of the people, and had been
elected for leaders: vain were their endeavours to restore order. The
dukes Delia Torre and Clement Filomarino were murdered, but the thirst
for blood among the raging people was not yet satisfied. Berthold had
just been able to escape, half-dressed, from a burning house, when he
met a mob, that with kindled torches and glittering knives, was
hurrying to the palace of the Duke of T----. These madmen, taking him
for one of their own cl