The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-05 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO ITALY.

The Special Correspondent oi Galignani thus describes the
scenery at &Irene:—

"The long sweep of scenes includes a great variety
of passages, in strong mutual contrast, yet forming
one harmonious whole. At our left we begin with
the tremendous granite quories of Baveno and
Monte Orfano ; then the beautiful opening of the
valley leading towards the snowy Simplon by the
pretty. little lake Margozzo ; and over this last the
imposing line of hills called locally, denti
Hannibali '—lisamibal's teeth—why his, I cannot
imagine' except it be from the dread his name
inspired even in regions he never reached. Tnen
pver the low-lying green hill called Monte Rosso
we get a glimpse of the sharp, square pointed peak
Pizzo-Marone. Next, in the centre of the picture,
come the projecting little hill and promontory of
Castagnola, sheltering Pallanza. Beyond, over the
distant town of Intra, with its glistening campanile,
rise the hills of Cimola and Premeno, dotted over in
beautiful fashion with villages and hamlets' then
away over the lake, in the remote distance, Monte
Cenere, and parts of the San Gothard and Splugen
snowy chains. Carrying the vision next across the
lake to the right, the graceful outline of the mountain
called Sasso del Ferro woos and wins admiration,
with Baveno lying prettily couched at its feet; and
near it the once dreaded Austrian fortress of white
granite. Then comes the tiny village of Cerro, and lastly
the Monastery of Santa' Cattarina snugly perched on
the face of the rock overhanging the lake. Between
us and all this stretch of scenery, the noble lake itself
intervenes and on its placid bosom seem to float near
at hand the charming ?Sorromean Islands. The whole
scene is so exquisite, that none who have ever gazed
upon it can wonder that it should have been selected
for its present purpose. So queenly a spot is worthy
of a queen's retreat, and this is the site whose majesty
and sweetness have won for it its choice as the tem-
porary home of our gentle-hearted Sovereign. If
the scene was presented in outline only, the black
and white so to speak, or in the sober English
grays that many sketches so delight in, even then
every essential of grace and detail are here offered to
wake up the artist's ideal of composition. But Nature
here is not content with mere outline, or greys and
browns. She literally steeps her landscapes in colour
of the richest and deepest; yet, lest the scene should
tire, she is for ever altezing its hues and tones; and
then, lest the views should pall by the intensity of the
colouring, she bathes the series of prospects in a delicious
haze that gently veils and softens the whole into one
glorious harmony."

On all sides pleasing manifestations of feeling
towards the Queen are heard and read. The Diritto,
in course of a long article, says
• - -

"Queen Victoria arrives in Italy a venerated and sympa-
thetic guest, for among aß,Sovereigns she has moat contri-
buted to the progress of Parliamentary Monarchy. The
sincere esteem and regarl' she felt for Victor Emmanuel is
well known, and, besideS being the model of a Constitutional
Sovereign, she is the head of the most powerful and widely
spread Empire of the world. From the banks of our lake she
may have to sign a treaty of peace with the Zulus of Africa,
or a decree for the annexation of Burmah, or some new
liberal measure for Canada, or the concession of a railroad in
Australia or India, or to put her name to a Parliamentary
Constitution for New Zealand, or an Order in Council for a
South African Confederation."
The Clerical Voce says :

"Admired and respected as a model of the beet of Queens,
an exemplary wile, and a provident mother of her subjects
Victoria holds no lower place in the esteem of universal
Eurve for her eminent qualities as woman than as Queen."

The Voce pxoceeds to express the respectful thanks
of all Roman Catholics for the liberty enjoyed by
them in England and Scotland, the improvement of
their position in Ireland, and the benevolent protec-
tion extended to them in the British Colonies. The
Voce concludes :

"Iday the beauties .of our country, the charm of our
climate, and our genial sun comfort the hours and confirm
the vigorous health of this gracious Queen."

The Fanfulla announces the intdntion of the King
of Italy to visit Queen Victoria at Baveno in a few
days.

The Voce della Veritec, the Vatican organ, speaks of
Her Majesty as follows :

"Loved and respected by her subjects as the model of
Queens, wives, and mothers Queen Victoria does not enjoy
less consideration' abroad for her eminent qualities as a
woman and a Queen. We, too, greet with profound respect
her whom Italy has the honour of receiving, and we believe
we are the faithful interpreters of Italian Catholics in
addressing to her the expression of our gratitude for the
liberty enjoyed daring her reign, in England and Scotland, by
our Catholic brethren, for the improvement of their condition
in Ireland, and for the kind protection accorded them in the
British colonies."

Garibaldi has telegraphed to the Republican Capitate:
To the official welcome vouchsafed to England's august
Queen the Italian people holds itself in duty bound to add its
own, to wish her joy, and to tender her its deep-felt gratitude
for all that the noble English nation she so worthily rules
has wrought for our country's unity."

[From Fun.]