6. I have often gratified the peasants of Apulia and Calabria, by presenting them to kiss a rosary from the Holy Sepulchre, which had been hallowed by the touch of the lips and benediction of the Pope: and it has even been respected by, and procured me a safe passage through, a party of brigands, who once stopped me in the passes of the Apennines.
[442] Me-moˊ-rial, that which preserves the memory of something.
[443] Sa-vantˊ, (sä-väng), a man of learning.
[444] Ca-noˊ-va, a celebrated Italian sculptor, born November 1, 1757, died October 13, 1822.
[445] Pros-traˊ-tion, a bowing down.
[446] Hys-terˊ-i-cal-ly, in an extremely nervous or convulsive manner.
LXI.—THE INDIANS.
STORY.
Joseph Story died in 1845. He was one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. He is best known by his “Commentaries on the Constitution,” which he prepared in pursuance of his duties as Dane Professor of Law, in Harvard University.
1. There is, in the fate of these unfortunate beings, much to awaken our sympathy, and much to disturb the sobriety of our judgment: much which may be urged to excuse their own atrocities;[447] much in their characters which betray us into an involuntary[448] admiration. What can be more eloquent than their history? By a law of nature they seemed destined[449] to a slow but sure extinction.[450] Everywhere at the approach of the white man they fade away. We hear the rustling of their footsteps, like that of the withered leaves of autumn, and they are gone forever.