ebony, jointed with gold, and curiously inlaid, was a mark of esteem from the reigning Pope.
There were various other miscellaneous articles disposed on the table, or hanging around the walls; amongst others, two complete suits of armour, one of mail, the other of plate, both of which from their great size, seemed to call the gigantic Astrologer their owner; a Spanish toledo, a Scottish broadsword, a Turkish scimitar, with bows, quivers, and other warlike weapons; musical instruments of several different kinds; a silver crucifix, a sepulchral antique vase, and several of the little brazen Penates of the ancient heathens, with other curious nondescript articles, some of which, in the superstitious opinions of that period, seemed to be designed for magical purposes. The library of this singular character was of the same miscellaneous description with his other effects. Curious manuscripts of classical antiquity lay mingled with the voluminous labours of Christian divines, and of those painstaking sages who professed the chemical science, and proffered to guide their students into the most secret recesses of nature, by means of the Hermetical Philosophy. Some were written in the Eastern character, and others concealed their sense or nonsense under the veil of hieroglyphics and cabalistic characters. The whole apartment, and its furniture of every kind, formed a scene very impressive on the fancy, considering the general belief then indisputably entertained concerning the truth of the occult sciences; and that effect was increased by the manners and appearance of the individual himself, who, seated in a huge chair, was employed in curiously examining a specimen, just issued from the Frankfort press, of the newly invented art of printing.
Galeotti Martivalle was a tall, bulky, yet stately man, considerably past his prime, and whose youthful habits of exercise, though still occasionally resumed, had not been able to contend with his natural tendency to corpulence, increased by sedentary study, and indulgence in the pleasures of the table. His features, though rather overgrown, were dignified and noble, and a Santon might have envied the dark and downward sweep of his long- descending beard. His dress was a chamber-robe of the richest Genoa velvet, with ample sleeves, clasped with frogs of gold, and lined with sables. It was fastened round his middle by a broad belt of virgin parchment, round which were represented in crimson characters, the signs of the zodiac. He rose and bowed to the King, yet with the air of one to whom such exalted society was familiar, and who was not at all likely, even in the royal presence, to compromise the dignity then especially affected by the pursuers of science.
'You are engaged, father,' said the King, 'and, as I think, with this new-fashioned art of multiplying manuscripts, by the intervention of machinery. Can things of such mechanical and terrestrial import interest the thoughts of one, before whom Heaven has unrolled her own celestial volumes?'
'My brother,' replied Martivalle, – 'for so the tenant of this cell must term even the King of France, when he deigns to visit him as a disciple, – believe me that, in considering the consequences of this invention, I read with as certain augury, as by any combination of the heavenly bodies, the most awful and portentous changes. When I reflect with what slow and limited supplies the stream of science hath hitherto descended to us; how difficult to be obtained by those most ardent in its search; how certain to be neglected by all who regard their ease; how liable to be diverted, or altogether dried up, by the invasions of barbarism; can I look forward without wonder and astonishment, to the lot of a succeeding generation, on whom knowledge will descend like the first and second rain, uninterrupted, unabated, unbounded; fertilizing some grounds, and overflowing others; changing the whole form of social life; establishing and overthrowing religions; erecting and destroying kingdoms' –
'Hold, Galeotti,' said Louis, – 'shall these changes come in our time?'
'No, my royal brother,' replied Martivalle; 'this invention may be likened to a young tree, which is now newly planted, but shall, in succeeding generations, bear fruit as fatal, yet as precious, as that of the Garden of Eden; the knowledge, namely, of good and evil.'
Louis answered, after a moment's pause, 'Let futurity look to what concerns them – we are men of this age, and to this age we will confine our care. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. – Tell me, hast thou proceeded farther in the horoscope which I sent to thee, and of which you made me some report? I have brought the party hither, that you may use palmistry, or chiromancy, if such is your pleasure. The matter is pressing.'
The bulky Sage arose from his seat, and, approaching the young soldier, fixed on him his keen large dark eyes, as if he were in the act of internally spelling and dissecting every lineament and feature. – Blushing and borne down by this close examination on the part of one whose expression was so reverent at once and commanding, Quentin bent his eyes on the ground, and did not again raise them, till in the act of obeying the sonorous command of the Astrologer, 'Look up and be not afraid, but hold forth thy hand.'
When Martivalle had inspected his palm, according to the form of the mystic arts which he practised, he led the King some steps aside. – 'My royal brother,' he said, 'the physiognomy of this youth, together with the lines impressed on his hand, confirm, in a wonderful degree, the report which I founded on his horoscope, as well as that judgment which your own proficiency in our sublime arts induced you at once to form of him. All promises that this youth will be brave and fortunate.'
'And faithful?' said the King; 'for valour and fortune square not with fidelity.'
'And faithful also,' said the Astrologer; 'for there is manly firmness in look and eye, and his linea vit? is deeply marked and clear, which indicates a true and upright adherence to those who do benefit or lodge trust in him. But yet' –
'But what?' said the King; 'Father Galeotti, wherefore do you now pause?'
'The ears of Kings,' said the Sage, 'are like the palates of those dainty patients, which are unable to endure the bitterness of the drugs necessary for their recovery.'
'My ears and my palate have no such niceness,' said Louis; 'let me hear what is useful counsel, and swallow what is wholesome medicine. I quarrel not with the rudeness of the one, or the harsh taste of the other. I have not been cockered in wantonness or indulgence; my youth was one of exile and suffering. My ears are used to harsh counsel, and take no offence at it.'
'Then plainly, Sire,' replied Galeotti, 'if you have aught in your purposed commission, which – which, in short, may startle a scrupulous conscience – intrust it not to this youth – at least, not till a few years' exercise in your service has made him as unscrupulous as others.'
'And is this what you hesitated to speak, my good Galeotti? and didst thou think thy speaking it would offend me?' said the King. 'Alack, I know that thou art well sensible, that the path of royal policy cannot be always squared (as that of private life ought invariably to be) by the abstract maxims of religion and of morality. Wherefore do we, the Princes of the earth, found churches and monasteries, make pilgrimages, undergo penances, and perform devotions, with which others may dispense, unless it be because the benefit of the public, and the welfare of our kingdoms, force us upon measures which grieve our consciences as Christians? But Heaven has mercy – the Church, an unbounded stock of merits, and the intercession of Our Lady of Embrun, and the blessed saints, is urgent, everlasting, and omnipotent.' – He laid his hat on the table, and devoutly kneeling before the images stuck into the hat-band, repeated, in an earnest tone, 'Sancte Huberte, Sancte Juliane, Sancte Martine, Sancta Rosalia, Sancti quotquot adestis, orate pro me peccatore!' He then smote his breast, arose, re-assumed his hat, and continued; – 'Be assured, good father, that whatever there may be in our commission, of the nature at which you have hinted, the execution shall not be intrusted to this youth, nor shall he be privy to such part of our purpose.'
'In this,' said the Astrologer, 'you, my royal brother, will walk wisely. – Something may be apprehended likewise from the rashness of this your young commissioner; a failing inherent in those of sanguine complexion. But I hold that, by the rules of art, this chance is not to be weighed against the other properties discovered from his horoscope and otherwise.'
'Will this next midnight be a propitious hour in which to commence a perilous journey?' said the King. – 'See, here is your Ephemerides – you see the position of the moon in regard to Saturn, and the ascendence of Jupiter – That should argue, methinks, in submission to your better art, success to him who sends forth the expedition at such an hour.'
'To him who sends forth the expedition,' said the Astrologer, after a pause, 'this conjunction doth indeed promise success; but, methinks, that Saturn being combust, threatens danger and infortune to the party sent; whence I infer that the errand may be perilous, or even fatal, to those who are to journey. Violence and captivity, methinks, are intimated in that adverse conjunction.'
'Violence and captivity to those who are sent,' answered the King, 'but success to the wishes of the sender – Runs it not thus, my learned father?'
'Even so,' replied the Astrologer.
The King paused, without giving any further indication how far this presaging speech (probably hazarded by the Astrologer from his conjecture that the commission related to some dangerous purpose) squared with his
