Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/426

436 which it is gemmed, and the shadows lie dark and sharp at the feet of the white marble statues; and, on the velvet-smooth turf under the large trees. All is then tranquil and silent, with no sound but the playful splash of the fountains over their basins, in which the gold-fish swim about, whilst the sun sends down his beams amongst the leafy groves, the white marble temples and beautiful statues, and seems to shine into actual paradise.

In the evening, I again go there in company with the betrothed, who there seem happier than usual. It is then delicious to inhale the cool evening air; to listen to the dash of the waves against the shore, and to see their phosphoric light, whilst further out, on the Bay of Naples, red fires shine from the fishing boats, which, by that means attract their prey. Thus we wander, whilst the shadows thicken around us, and the starry heavens brighten above, and we see the beautiful comet, with its brilliant tail, like a bird of paradise, career through space. We generally conclude the evening there, with a mezza granita, a kind of lemonade ice, at a little confectioners in the walks. Sometimes, also, we take a boat, and are rowed out to the shore of Pozzuoli, past the ruins of the palace of Queen Johanna, enjoy the beauty of the sea and the sight of the blue phosphoric fire, which here and there shines as the little boat furrows the water; sometimes again, I return home alone, whilst the lovers go to see the splendid fireworks, which are being continually exhibited, just lately, two evenings in succession, in honor of Saint Brigitta. In this way we have promenaded and enjoyed ourselves, until the last three