We will now introduce the reader to an antiquarian scene or two _chez nous_, transcribed from our journal as we entered them therein at the time. When it was currently understood throughout Naples--it did not take long for the report to spread--that we were a professed purchaser of antiquities, and "at home" to antiquaries, we were besieged all day and every day by a host of dealers, jewellers and Jews, whom the waiters were weary of announcing, and were still obliged to announce, who came with bundles under their arms, filled with things "ugly and old exceedingly," which they wished to dispose of as bargains, and hoped we would purchase. They came early in the morning; they braved the fiery heat of noon; they bided their time whilst we sat at dinner; and, on returning from our moonlit drive, we are prepared for the announcement that somebody still waits with something still unshown for us to see. Sometimes one man will come alone, and if he finds us unassailable or indifferent, he will take care to return next time in company with an accomplice,--an honest, plain fellow in his dealings, who, actuated by feelings of pure humanity, and in pursuance of his sturdy motto of "_fiat justitia ruat coelum_," will, at the risk of offending his friend, alter his prices, and propose others vastly more equitable and advantageous for _us_. Enters one day a brace of these rogues at breakfast--two such palpable rogues _in face_ that you needed no proficiency in Lavater to know at once with whom you had to deal. One of the pair, _par nobile fratrum_, gives a very respectful, the other, what is meant for a very courtly, bow. "_This gentleman_," says one unknown individual introducing the other--"_This gentleman_ has just landed from Sicily, bringing with him a small collection of coins--_vergini tutti_--all virgins, and on which no amateur's eye has yet rested even for a moment." "_Non e vero, Cavaliere?_" "_Altro che vero!_" responds the cavalier. "I, sir," resumes the other, "am, as you have doubtless perceived, the poor _mezzano_, the mere umpire in this business; _I_ have no interest in the sale of any articles in that gentleman's pockets; it was by the merest accident that I heard of his arrival an hour ago; and, as I know he must have something _good_, I pounced upon him at once--would not give him time even to shave, (_voyez un peu cette barbe farouche_--it was so), but brought him hither in great haste, lest others--_vous concevez qu'à Naples_." "To be sure we did; but did not the Cavaliere understand French?" "Not a word." "What says the Signore?" interrogates the unshaved Sicilian noble; "_Domanda se lei capisce il Francese?_" "_Niente_," not a bit of it, returns he, shaking his head guilelessly. "_Non importa_,--it's of no importance. You, Cavaliere, will mention your prices to me, I will propose them to this gentleman--he his; I will then give _my opinion_ as to what is _fair_ between you, and thus we shall, I trust, do a little business to the