The Argosy — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Letters from Majcrea. | 49 where balmy zephyrs blow, and spiced gales and fruit-scented winds are prevalent. We cannot escape here the dream of the lotus-eater, even if we would. If its people are voluptuous, living the life of the senses, we must pause before we judge them, and hesitate long before we condemn, DIAS A sojourn in these soft and subtle climes, this rainbow atmosphere, these gorgeous scenes, is inexpressibly delicious. We live in dreams beyond those of our sleep. All we possess of youth and freshness is kindled and aroused and quickened into life by its influence. Our very being and nerves are thrilled, as a harp would vibrate at the touch of a Saint Cecilia. Nevertheless, I would not live here always. A glamour is thrown over the imagination. The net of soft and sweet, but dangerous emotions holds captive one’s reason. ‘The doom of the epicurean would become ours. Give me the colder, healthier influences of the North, companionship with a race that resolutely fights the battle of life, pressing onward and upward. Perhaps I feel it the more that these Southern influences and witcheries appeal strongly to my nature. They allure with mes- meric power ; beckon me with the hand and gaze and sweet song of a syren to come and make one with their votaries. I feel their danger and I fear my weakness. Certain it is, the happiness that here falls upon me, the ecstasy that enfolds my senses, is strange and powerful ; unbroken from day to day ; never ceasing. All that is emotional within me would ask nothing better of life than to pass it here, steeped in this voluptuous Southern dream and influence. But afterwards P—And the end thereofPp—And the awakening, when custom has marred and age has staled the infinite variety of these charms P—What then? Dead Sea fruit, my sister; the apples ot Sodom ; the waters of Meribah ; the bitterness of Marah. No; let these orient dreams be indulged for a season ; let all that is beautiful and refined, all that is gorgeous and glowing, hold captive the imagina- tion ; but so far and no farther. Sooner or later, one must awake to realities. Life has nobler aims than the dream of the lotus-eater. But this is a digression; I fear you may call it a rhapsody. Yet: it is not so. It is born of the influence of Southern skies and Eastern atmospheres; an influence absolutely existing ; certain in its enervating tendency. Yet it does not appeal to all alike; and to some cold, unimaginative, emotionless natures, it does not appeal at all. I would not be as they. ‘These, as a rule, are shut out from all sympathy with their fellow-mortals. They cannot weep with his sor- rows, smile at his joys. Never would they listen to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. Rather run the danger, fight the battle, and gain the victory, though it be in fear and trembling, and with many a halting step on the edge of the precipice. And this brings us back to the walls of Alcudia ; not, you will say, before it is time. Here, indeed, we made many a false step, and there was certain danger in going too near the edge. The stairs that VOL. XLV. E comicooolks (CO)