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LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

ventional proxy marriages we have been speaking of. Fora certain period animal passion may, perhaps, conceal theabsence of the higher and more durable sentiments andfeelings. But ill-assorted as the union really is, nature willout! An Italian ( luoman , at least) must love something, andardently too, with all her heart, and soul, and body, andmind. She seeks not for that object; but if, unfortunately,those sentiments have not spontaneously fallen upon herhusband, she cannot command or force them to that or anyother object; and, canting apart, we all know that it isnot in any of our natures to do so. We may talk of vowsand duty as much as we please ; there are many trite andcelebrated sayings as old as the world which show thatmankind were always convinced that love like “ faith ” isabsolutely involuntary and not to be commanded. Respect,esteem, friendship, are not sufficient to ensure our happi-ness in the conjugal state; other feelings are required, ofwhich our reason and our judgment can take no cognizance.But, to conclude this rather delicate subject, I must notforget to advert to the singular examples of decorum, affec-tion, esteem, fidelity, and never-waning tenderness whichfrequently distinguish the secondary unions, if I may socall them, of parties who, under the untoward circum-stances of a conventional marriage have once found theiraffinities in the range of society. As an instance to thepoint I will mention the case of a first cousin of my father’s,one Maria Rosa Salvi, a woman of great beauty, numerousaccomplishments, and extraordinary wit. She was marriedto the Marquis Salvi, of Ravenna, at the age of fourteen,and at once transferred from the convent to the drawing-room. Salvi was a young man of good education, that is“ classicallittle good sense, violent passions ; too muchaddicted to the boisterous convivialities at which none butwomen of loose character, or of no character, will attend.