The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-29 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO ITALY.

Galignani publiahes the following from its speclal cor-
respondent at Baveno, Lego Maggiore

"This quietest of little villages is in a state of un-
precedented excitement in anticipation of and prepara-
tion for her Majesty's visit. And not merely Buveno
itself, but the whole of the districts through which
her cortege will pass, after arriving at the railway
terminus at Arona, have been devising their respec-
tive modes of demonstrating the genuine warm
welcome they wish to accord her. The station of
Arona itself will be handsomely decorated. Thence
her Majesty drives to this, her chosen retreat, by
the beautiful road that skirts the lake the whole
of the route, her suite following in a special
steamer. And, apart from the glorious lake scenery,
new to her eyes, and the thoroughly Italian land-
scapes, with their vine-trellised terraces on the hill
sides, by which she passes, the Queen's attention will
from time to time be not unpleasingly interrupted by
the tokens of hearty greeting from each hamlet on the
way. Stresa and Baveno are to have their floral
arches; and besides the fact that Italians are
famous devisers of arches—this is the very land
of flowers—and what they will contrive with
their wealth of camellias and magnolias alone
will be something to remember. It is said that
a guard of selected troops will be stationed here
during the Royal visit. Special arrangement have
been made to provide increased telegraphing facilities,
and four hands have been added to the telegraphic
staff at Baveno. And on the opposite side of the lake
they are intending to illuminate on the evening of her
arrival the whole of the graceful little hill promontory
of Castagnola that projects into the centre of the lake,
and is the central point of the lake as seen from
Baveno. The palatial structure put at the Queen's
disposal by Mr. Henfrey has been undergoing in some
respects almost a renovation. It was furnished
sumptuously enough before, one would have been
tempted to think. But the host of such a guest did not
think so, and all the resources of artist, of decorator,
and of upholsterer have been alike taxed; and ceilings,
walls, and floors have put on a braver' show of design,
hangings, and carpets respectively. The rooms are
noble and lofty; the grand staircase, lit up by a hand-
some window large enough for a cathedral, is especially
fine. Externally the house and grounds are as they
were; no attempts at improvement where none
were necessary. The building itself—of red brick,
pointed—is by some considered handsome; at any rate,
it is imposing from its size and situation. All who
have passed it will remember its effect, with its
graceful clock tower surmounted by a spire;
the arched colonnade that surrounds the build-
ing ; and close by, half hidden by the chestnut
trees, the beautiful gem of a church constructed
by Mr. Henfrey in his grounds. This little edifice,
whose interior as well as exterior is familiar to many,
from the fact that visitors at Baveno have access to
the services, has had bestowed upon its construction
and decoration the most perfect taste, architecturally
and ecclesiastically speaking, and. every comely
adjunct, however precious the material, that unhesi-
tating generosity on the part of its founder could
supply. Emerging into the grounds, the wonderful
prospect. of lake and distant snowy ranges and of
nearer richly-clad hillsides arrests us, and holds us
with a growing astonishment at the infinite wealth
of beauty Nature offers in thrs lovely spot. The
grounds, though not very extensive, being acquired
by instalments from reluctant sellers of small but
old peasant patrimonies, are laid out with great
taste, and are wisely an adaptation to the pre-existing
state of things. The large trees, for instance, are the
ancient chestnuts and walnuts undisturbed. The
banks are covered with azalea, hortensia, and rhodo-
dendron, and the camellias and magnolias are already
promising a show worthy even of the Royal eyes that
are to look upon them. At the aide of the house is a
large low•lying quadrangle, beautifully laid out, to
which a flight of noble terrace steps leads down. In
its centre is a fine fountain, and in the side walls
cavern recesses are sunk, and these are covered with
the finest specimens of ferns, After all, however, we
must come back to the fact that the one crowning
glory of the place is its outlook, the magnificent lake
and mountain prospect."