ROMANCE OUTDONE.

Otago Witness, Issue 528, 11 January 1862, Page 6

ROMANCE OUTDONE.

Florence, Oct. 13. — I was visiting the other day the convent of San Michele in Bosco, the delightful coenobium on the hill, which now, as a royal villa, harbours King Victor, Emmanuel whenever he stays at Bologna. It was formerly the residence of the Cardinal Legate, and Pope Pius IX took up his abode there at the time of his last visit to his northern dominions, in 1857. The Cardinal Legate, bent on making grand preparations for the reception of his holy guest, sent for a sculptor, by name Pacchioni, who since 1848 had' been shut up in a state prison for political offences, lie asked the artist, a distinguished master in his profession, whether he was equal to the task of decorating a private chapel destined for the use of the pope, with a fac-simile of the statue of the Immaculate conception which had just been inaugurated in Rome by the PopeJ who, as the world knows, was still all flushed with the achievement by which he added a new mystery to the Catholic dogma. The statue with those of the four Evangelists at the corners of the chapel, was to be made in the short space of 28 days. The Cardinal agreed upon a handsome payment, and engaged to restore the prisoner to freedom. The sculptor went to work" for dear liberty, the statues were executed with masterly skill, and nothing couid equal the delight of the Cardinal on seeing the whole ready at the right time, or that of the pontiff at the sudden and ingenious surprise that had been prepared for him. Oh the eVe of the Pope's arrival, the I ardinal called the artist aside, praised and thanked, him with every demonstration of affection, and asked him whether he would find it too hard, to gO A back to his dungeon for a day or two that the Pope might be allowed the exercise "of his clemency, and that the prisoner's pardon might seem to How from the source of all grace and honour. In an evil hour the sculptor, who, be it observed had been at large all the time he had been to work, and had a hundred opportunities of putting the papal frontier between him and his former gaolers, allowed himself to be put again under lock and key, and submitted to a durance which he was too sure would, be mere matter of form, and would not be prolonged after the first day of the pope's visit. Well; the Pope arrived, the Pope stayed, the Pope departed ; Pacchioni's prison door remained locked and bolted. Two long years passed ; the cardinal never paid one penny of the stipulated bargain, and the swindled Vic-. fun would, in all probability, have perished in his chains but for the happy events of 1859, which came to his release, as to that of. so many of his fellow sufferers. 1 know these particulars from sources which leave me no doubt as to their full authenticity, and make myself a voucher for the truth of every word [ have written.— Times.

A Nice Couple. — The Washington Globe relates a rather novel story in connection withnm episode in 2s r ew York life' The young and lovely daughter, an only child just turned sixteen, of Mr. A., a wealthy gentleman upon whom his fondest aud wannest ailections were centered as the companion and solace of his widowed life, having during the vacation from- school met at the house of a friend, Mr. 13., with a gentleman, Mr. C., of the city, fascinated him so much with "her beauty that he naturally fell in love with her, without, of course, asking her father's permission. The friends, however,' apprized him of the circumstances. He immediately hastened to the city, and, seeking an interview with the young - man, forbade any further attentions to his duughter, which, after some hesitation, Mr. C. promised to observe, upon the receipt of 1000 dollars. The sum was promptly paid him, and for a few weeks the matter was apparently disposed of. It was only apparently, tor the young lady astonished her friends one morning by calling herself a wife, and that the ceremony had been performed at the residence of a fasldonable clergyman, but that she had not seen her husband since they left the altar. The father, who was in the south, was immediately telegraphed for. On Ids return he had an interview with the young man, which satisfied him that it was useless to appeal to his heart or his head, and lie therefore appealed to his pocket, demanding how much money would induce him to sign a release of his marital rights, and relinquish for ever all claims to the young lady. The young gentleman asked the old gentleman what ho would give, and he replied 4000 dollars—adding that the thousand he was already paid would make the sum 5000 dollars. The thing was settled ; the husband assented ; aud the money was paid, the young gentleman pledging his honour to sign a release. The parties were to meet at ten o clock next morning, and the parchments were to be signed ; but at nine o'clock the next morning Mr U. drove to the door of Mr 8.. enquired for Mr A. and demanded his wife 1 She hearing of his being there, entered the room, and m the face of the violated agreement, the payment ot the heavy forfeit, the agony of her desolate k lather, and the warning of her friends, went away with her husband.

As an old pensioner, named Mann, 71 years of :i o 'e, was proceeding along Kiujj-strect, Yarmouth, ■i Ijw days back, a lady amply crinolined, passed him very hastily, and her dress catching his leg, knocked him down, and broke his login two places. ! ■

A negro was passing under a scaffolding, whenji brick full on his head and was broken by the fall. Sambo very coolly raised his head and exclaimed, • Hallo, you white man up dar, if you don't want your bricks broke, just keep 'em off ray head I*- I*'1 *'