Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-09-30


at his unce's inability offer tho hospitaliiies
Of his house, as ihe only spare bed in it oceu-
pied by himself and young friend. We found
our entertainment the Loconda poor enough
bat we were not Sybatites, and Toasted and :ep,
like princes despite Of dirt and fleas. Next day
we returned to ST. EIlero. AID we're so much dc.
lighted with the scenery that determined TO re-
main there several days. Oar stay in the village
was a sort Of holiday the inhabitants, and we
we've regarded With almost as much wonder as were
the Spaniards ,heif first landing ia America.
A dozen pair of nirnble little feet few to execute
our slightest with, ard although the good people
were too poor to offer Us any kind OF entertainment,
vet every attention and kindness thu, was in their
power they showed, refusing remuneration in al.
most every instance Our dinner was rare one.
Having purchased bread ard vine, and u
basket of fresh figs, took our meal upon the
chur steps with about six servants to each of US
| At night, rather than return to the Locanda and
the fleas, We were preparing to sleep under
| bridge when received embassy from the Par
ish Priest {who turned out TO be he uncle of our
| fricnd) praying accept bed in his house
ing. We did accept without much hesitation and
found very comfortable quarters. The good old
gentleman told call the room our own long
as ws chose TO stay, but having painted every thing
in the neishborhood took our leave on the third
day, followed by the regrets and good wishes Of tho
| villagers. This ascent from this point to Valem-
bros;a is continual, and in some places very great,
G,,, al etv hat 5;,c ,
early start, we did not arrive ut the convent until
the evening. The situation is one Of the most de.
lightful and picturesque that can be imagined and
the monastery itself noble pile. All these estab-
li.hments are open to travellers, who entertain
ed gratis for day asd a night or longer in
of necessity. 1t is Customary, however, for those
who are able to make the fraternity some present,
after patakng of their hospitality, but nothing is
demanded; ard itch and poor are served alike.
At cur particular request, we were allowed TO
main three days, and entertained quite hand
somely but finding this time too short for our pur-
poses, and not wishing 10 impose on the Monks
any longer, sought other accommodations
About mile and half above the convent, on the
summit of the highest peak of the Apprentices. there
is httle tabernacle oe stone which was built about
200 years ago by devour Friar, as place of
refuge for the shepherds, any who might be
benighted in these inhospitsble rsgions. In
end is shrine dedicated TO the M adonns, and in
the other little chamber six feet square with FIRE
place, in which determined take up our abode.
We then descended to a village at the foot Of the
mountain, where supplied ourselves with pre-
! visions and a blarket ench, and tie next morn
ing returned to romantic station. The view
| from the door Of our but was sublime: the whole
breadth Of Italy spread beneath like a
map; the rivers seemed as silken threads; and the
cities, converts and villages like sheep scattered
among the misty hills. We could count the church
es and towers in Florence, although distant %
miles On the ght hand, at the distance Of 40
miles we saw the Adlatc; and on the left, at the
distance of more than GO miles, the horizon is
bounded by the Mediterranean. We were soon
made to feel tho loneliness and holplessncss of our
situation, for We had scarcely begun to make
/ selves comfortable when Of my companions was
taken quite ill-owing his having over-exeried
himself in ascending the mountain We made him
bed of moss md dried leaves, kindled big FIRE,
and Let nature act as rhysici ian. We could
scarcely have done better, if we had been in the
city, for by the next morning he perfectly
stored. II ne we ate, drank, sketched and sang
for FIVE days. Every morning we saw The rise
of the of the Adriaiic, lifting the clouds
from of the face of the earth as veil; and every
evening We saw him return to his gorgeous couch
in the distant Mediterranean. We were visited
Fl, qpently by the shepherds, who bring their sheep
to Craze among the rocks during the summer month";;
and occasionally wild looking mueteer would stop
his beasts and srate nt ~, and then go on as IL
doubling what manner of men we were. The eli.
mate deciously cool, and our scjourn in all
respects 50 pleasant that might have still been
there had the weather continued fine. But there
came great storm one night; the clouds enveloped
the top OF the mountain, and We had thunderings
and ightninss above. below and around Us in every
direction. All the next day we were covered up in
thiCk cloud, and observing several tiees spntered
10y lightning, We concluded TO go down into the
world sgain, Every thing appeared so dull and
common place here that, after tying in vain for
several days to amuse ourselves, We returned to
Florence having been absent Is days.
During this trip, as well on several other oc~
casions, have had opportunities Of makrg obser.
vations on the character and manners Of the Tus.
can peasantry, and cannot lmt feel surprised at
the enormous and unjust ideos many Of us in Amer
lea have on the subject. There probably does not
exist cheerful, contented and moral people.
The predominant traits in their character are mild
ness and good humour, combined with an uncom-
mon share of vyacty aud intelligence. They
generally very poor; of necessity, industrious; and
their manner Of living simple in the extreme. The
ordinary breakfast Of laborer is roll Of brown
bread and flask Of wine. with the addition per
hpPs OF an onion. The dinner consists OF a bread
and vegetable soup, salad fruit, &C. They seldom
taste meat of any kind except Jsstas, or some
nike occasions. Drunkenness is a vice that is al
most entirely unknown among them: the common
~ile OF The country having less Intoxicating proper
ties than cider In all their assemblies and diver.
sons public private il is mos, rore 10 ace ain.