Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-04-04
FROM THE NEW YORK MIRROR
FIRST IMPRESSIO IS OF EUROPE
BY n. p. WILLIS.

TtadiHg- paths: dmuSemeRtS: prirdt
parties: balls: fetes: CASINO: origin
ais: Of Inheritance: summer in Ifa
III, etc etc.
J spent week at the baths ofLucca
which is about sixty miles north Of
Florence, and the Saratoga of Italy.
None of the cities are habitable in sum.
mer for the heat, and there focks all
the world to bath and keep cool by
day, and dance and intrigue by night,
from spring to autumn. 1t is very like
the month of June In our country in
many respects, and the differences are
not disagreeable. The scenery is the
finest of its kind in Italy. The whole
village is built about the bridge across
the river Lima, which meets the Ser
chic half mile below. On both sides
of the stream the mountains rise so alb
ruptly that the houses are erected a
gainst them, and from the SUBMITS on
both sides you look directly down on
the street. Half way up one of the
hills stands a cluster of houses, over
looking the valley to fine advantage,
and these are rather the most fashion
able lodgings. Round the base of the
mountain runs the Lima, and on its
banks for a mile is laid out superb
road, at the extremity Of which is an
other cluster of b d lings called the
villa, composed of the dukes palace
and baths and some fifty lodging-hous-
es. This, like the pavilion at Sara
toga, usually occupied by invalids and
people of more retired habis.-I have
found no hill scenery in Europe COM
parable to the baths of Lucca. The
mountains ascend SO sharply and Join
so closely, that two hours of the sun
are lost, morning and evening, and the
heat is very little felt. The valley is
formed by four or five small mountains,
which are clothed from the base to the
summit with the finest chestnut woods;
and dotted over with the ncst.lille cot
tages of the Luccese peasants, the
smoke from which, morning and even
ing, break through the trees, and steals
up to the SUBMITS with an effect than
which a painter could not conceive any
thing more beautiful. It's quite ht-
tie paradise; and with the drives along
/ the river on each side at the mountain
foot, and the trim winding paths in
hills, there is no lack of opportunity
for the Greest indulgence OF love of
scenery or amusement.
Instead of living as we do in great
hotels, the people at these baths take
their own lodgings, three or four fami-
lies in a house, and meet in their drives
and walks, or in small exclusive par
tics. The duke gives ball every Tues
day, to which all respectable strangers
are invited; and while | was there an
Italian prince, who married into the
royal family Of Spain, gave a grand
! fcte at the theatre. There is usually
some party every night, and with the
freedom of a watering place, they are
rather the pleasantcst | have seen in
Italy. Tie dukes chamberlain, an
Italian cavalier, has the charge Of a
casino, or public hall, which is open
day and night for conversation, dan
cling and play. The Italians frequent
it very much, and it is free to all well
dressed people; and as there is always
band ofmusic, the English sometimes
make up party, and spend the even
ing there in dancing or promenading.
1t is maintained at the dukes expense,
lights, music and all, and he finds his
equivalent in the profits of the gam
bling bank.
scarce know which of the distin-
guished people | met there would in
tercst you. The village was full of
coroneted carriages, whose masters
were mobiles ofevery nation, and every
reputation. The original OF two well
known characters happened to be tn re
SCOTS Diana Vernon, and the lhisS
RrdH, of the INTERCHANGEABLE former
is Scotch lady, with five or six chill
dren; tall, superb woman still, with
the look of mountain queen, who rode
out every night with two gallant boys
mounted on ponies, and dashing after
her with the spirit you would bespeak
for the sons of Die Vernon. Her hus-
band was the best horseman there, and
''has been" handsome fellow fabout
forty,fve. An Italian able came up
to her one night, st small party, anc
told her he wondered the king of En-
gland did not marry her," "Miss Pratt
$ was the companion of an English lady
of fortune, who lived on the floor be
e low me. She was still what she uset
to be, much laughed at, but mucl
sought person, and ii was quite requi
; site to know her. She flew into
8 ,,nceio,, uhnnnuer the hook was named