September 11, 1997 (NEWPORT, R.I./AP) - Rhode Islanders have been guarding themselves for months against mosquitoes infected with a potentially deadly virus, but Christopher Rondina says the state's past is filled with stories of a far scarier bloodsucker: vampires.

Cold as ice, thou breath doth feel,

Skin ablaze in firey hell,

Mine heart crushed beyond repair.

 

Speak not the memories of past ages,

think not the cold caress of teeth to flesh,

but think always of my love for thee, tortureous.

 

Love not the way I think you dear,

nor of the way I hold you near,

James Hume Nisbet (1849-1923), author and artist, was born on 8 August 1849 at Stirling, Scotland, son of James Nisbet, house-decorator, and his wife Jane, née Hume. He was educated in letters under Rev. Dr James Culross and in painting under the artist Sam Bough, R.S.A. Of a roving disposition, at 16 he went to Melbourne and found various jobs. About 1868 he spent a year playing small parts with Walter Montgomery and others at the Theatre Royal. He then wandered around eastern Australia, New Zealand and the South Sea Islands.