Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-10-06
a1em & fuk Ghetrhes of an artist.
n u NJ Ii T. X XII.
FLoREScE, July Is, 1912

FLORENCE, July Is, 1912.
will Gil up this letter by giving sketch Of
Trip through the mountains, by circui,ous route
from Rene to Naples.
Having agreed with two other young men of my
profession to make the journey on foot, we shout
dered our knupssCks, stuffed with shirts and sketch
books and commenced our sturdy undertaking
the 8th Of March last. After walking about 90
miles the level desolation of the camroguia,
we began ascending the pioneer range of the APpe-
mines which rises ms abruptly the shore OF lake,
At this point stands Tiroh; and here the liver
leaps down from among the hills with such var-
city Of fantastic gambos as makes Iiroli sort ot
horse heaven for painters. The third day after
our arrival there, rose up early in the morning,
and looking west over the broad expanse we saw
St. Peters, like great ship dmy discerned upon
the ho,izon at sea. There Simultaneous tak-
ing of OF caps, as we bid adieu to Rome forever.
There il much that is unpleasant connected with
my recollections of Rome; and while there did
not feel iis poetry. But now when my petty an
noyences are removed and memory carries me back,
feel that I have mighty city--a city which
once seen is never TO be forgotten.
We fingered for moment, and then turned
faces eastward towards the gloomy passes of the
mountains. The scenery in these mountains is Pc
cuhary wild and desolote. They have not the
grand sweep of outline that charactetizcs those of
America but are abrupt and Jagged. There is
little room for cultivation in the narrow, meagre
valleys that divide them, aud the mountains them
selves are rocky, barren, treeIess, and shrubess.
We occasionally passed the remains of some old
Roman aqneduot struggling across the valley look
ing like a train of camels in the desert; and some
times scarcely distinguishsble in form and color
from the grey rocks, tho ruins OF some old tower
appeared browning the sugar loaf peaks the rem
nant Of some strong hold of the middle ages. But
where the inhabitants of these hills to be found7
IL hunger did not make traveller sharp, he might
wander long time without discovering. Its rare
to find house or even howell on the road side,
about the cultivarions where one would expect tn
! find them; and yet you seldom out of sight of
town.
/ Observe that peak which rises thousand feet
above the level of The road. 1t seems to be crown
ed by close, compact mass of grey rock half COW
cred with ivy. One may imagine that he perceives
something like a tower in the midst and indications
of oastellated walls. If curiosity hunger should
tempt the traveller to approach nearer this doubt
full group, after toIng up steep ascent of two or
TIN ee miles, he will find himself under the walls Of
town as densely populated as beehive. From
each window and loop hole he will see wild black
eyes staring, and strangely costuned men and wo-
men will flock around him in mute wonderment.
A single peep within the walls nigh, suffice but
what can hungry man dot You enter the dinsy
porIal--such unutterable filth! such dens Ii
would scarcely be imagined that human beings
could exist and BIO healthy in such places; but 10
all appearance they are a stout, hearty, vigorous
race BY the time you have taken 6Ety steps in
tho place, the whole hive is in a buzz. Ragged
and half naked children pour out from every door,
and form themsc'ves into troop in the rear Of the
strangers, following wherever they mSy lead AZ