Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-29
COMMUNICATIONS.
RECoLLECTIoNs OF lTALY.-No. II.

1t was some time in the latter part of Septem-
Der, 1880, that we again put out to sea, and on
the afternoon Of the day following we found our
selves lying before the unpicturesqme city OF
Leghorn. On the next day we learned, to our
great grief that We were doomed, notwithstand-
ing our having procured bills Of health at &C.
noa, to further penance of ten days quaran~
tine. We were permitted to choose whether
we would perform it aboard the ship, or in the
Lazzaretto:-we preferred the latter, on several
accounts, and particularly as we were tired OF
being confined to the ship. So we took our
baggage and beds, and were conducted to the
Lazzaretto-a curious, low-bui.t, gloomy place
arising out of the water;-and, alas! here we
were condemned TO linger out ten tedious days,
within days journey to Florence. The mex
orable doors closed upon us; our baggage was
overhaued and examined: and then we were
accommodated with apartments, spacious ana
airy enough-but the cleanliness and purity OF
which cannot particularly recommend;-but
shall avoid unpleasant recolecticns as much as
possible. We were furnished with small. low
bedsteads, few chairs and one table. We pro-
cured ourselves an excellent supper, and
L
which, found slept as comfortably as could
be expected al such place, and subjected to
the opportunities Of certain insects not uncom.
mon in Italy. The next morning, our break
fast-consistng Of good coffee and milk, and
toasted bread and butter,-was brought us by
one Of the guards. This man, whose Office it
was to bring us our meals, always left our pro-
visions at the head of the stairs. and then ran
away quickly to avoid the vicinity Of our per-
sons, though we were all in blooming health.
amused myself in looking down from my win
dow into the irregularly-formed Court.yar be-
low, which is neither Of square nor an oblong
shape. Divers individuals were lounging about,
enjoying the fine morning air: among others
there were several Jews, in oriental costume,
with thick black boards, one Of whom suggest
ed good idea of old Shylock. At window
nearly at right angles to mine, dark complex
Toned, BEARDED urbaned head was gravely gaz-
ing:-here, | afterwards found, was lodged re-
spectacle looking Turk apparently of some dis
tinction; and he was generally seen sitting at
the door, smoking his long pipe, and CONVEX
sing in Italian. The inhabitants were gener-
ally Italians We were permitted, like the
others, to walk about;-but wo unto us if, in
passing, We should happen to touch an indivi-
dual!-the penalty was, nothing less than TWEEN
ty- five days quarantine. 1t was amusing to see
| at what respectful distance two persons, inha-
biting different apartments, would keep from
each other, even when engaged in the most ami
mated conversation. But let us get out Of the
| Lazzaretto, where time passed away slowly
enough, and would have been insupportable
without companionship in misery, and q must be
unpoetical sometimes) enough to eat and drink
We had good macaron, fish, flesh, fowls, vege-
tables, salads, fruits, and other delicacies OF
the season." to say nothing Of good sincere
wine:- Fino sincere is the Italian epithet' for the
pure unadulterated juice of the grape AT
length we were released. After settling accounts
with the guards and the cook and taking leave
| Of my friends, gave myself up to the guidance
Of Valet-de place; or, as he is called in Italian,
| Servitor di PiaZZa,-an honest man enough,
and very clever in his way, and one who re-
commended himselfto me from his having been
in America, and by speaking English very we'll
He found a very comfortable 'odging for me;
and I went with him to look at the city-but !
saw nothing very remarkable, except colossal
statue Of Ferdinand L. He is a proud naughty
warrior in armour, standing on high pedestal,
at the four corners Of which, in crouching atti-
tudes, are chained four gigantic slaves. It is
the work Of Tacca, an artist Of great celebrity
in his time: the execution Of The work is very
fine; but the idea of absolute despotsm indcat-
ed by the design is very unpleasant, and part-
cularIy so to one just from the land Of freedom.
visited the English burial ground and read
the epitaphs of several Americans. The sim
pie obelisk over the remains of DR.. Smoet is
interesting, and is scrubbed over by various
English travellers. But have said enough of
Leghorn, which, though lively, cheerful COM
Portable place, and well enough for those who
like it, is altogether undressing to one in
search of beauty and by no means TO be endur-
ed for day while Florence is so near. | left
Leghorn, after calling to pay my respects to our
Consul, and attending to my passport The