Litchfield enquirer., 1844-09-12

y ton of paper; also some of the plant of which if is made, which grows abundantly here.
 g At seven the next morning, we anchored in th l. beautiful harbor of Messina. The place con
 tains few curiosties-of any knd and little to inte n rest stranger. 1t is howevera handsome town the houses fine and large, though not high, (fron
 their liability to be toppled down by an earthquake every window having it's, pretty balcony. It. streets are of good width, finely paved, and orna mented with many beautiful fountains. But its chief beauty consists in its lovely envrons and the , charming harbor of a crescent form, along which runs fine quay or street, mile and quarter in length, following the curved line of the bay. and lined with magnificent buildings fronting the wa ter, ornamented too with numerous fine larpe stat ues' and along the water are vessels lying side by side as close and thick as they can be placed. We took carriage and drove about town; visited the cathedral which has singular front of brick work mosaic, and contains 26 huge pillars of Egyptian granite taken from various heather temples, some very good sculpture, beautiful specimins of the truly Florentine mosaic, and the cupola under which the high altar stands is encrusted with we'll preserved mosaic of another kind. The Cathedral stands on the Piozza del Duomo, where is a mag. niicent fountain, and colossal statue of Carlo 2d We next ascended high hill to the church of San Gregario, to which is attached ladies' convent.- It stands on lofty eminence which you ascend by many steps, and commands an extensive view of the city, it's beautiful harbor and the rich and yerdant country winch surrounds it: 'twas indeed very lovely. The church is remarkable for the splendid mosaIcs with which it IS completely lined-it is Florentne mosaic, of rare and costly pietra aura representing figures and flowers in ali the brillian- cy of their natural colors. It is surmounted by singular tower, spiral in form, the ornaments of which wind round and round like corkscrew, af- | ter the fashion of the Tower of Babel as we see it represented Tn pictures. We passed delightful evening at the house of our consult with its charm ing host and hostess, MT. and Mrs. P., and an American gentleman, captain of vessel now in harbor We slept on shore, leaving the next morn- Ing at nine. Passed soon the Scylia and Charybds so formidable to ancient navigators nothing is to be seen above water, the waves having only the ap- pearance of counter current or rapid. In few hours we came in sight of the volcanic islands, | midway between Sicily and the main land, the largest of which, Stromboi, stands like an outpost between the two larger volcanoes, Etna and Vesu- VluS, perhaps serving communication to either, or mayhap a safety y-valye to both, for it is never altogether quiet, but always issuing smoke and flame. After this we neared the Calabrian coast stopping at small town to land and take in passen- gers. We were soon surrounded by swarm of well filled boats in them the Calabrian peas- ants, with their narrow brim sugar loaf hats and velvet bands. The town was built on high walls on the summit of the cliff rising out of the water, and the vines, variegated by the impress of Jack Frosts fingers, made the hills look very pretty.- The country along the coast has an irregular ap- pearance, as if 1t might, at some prior time, have suffered from volcanic convulsions, but is beauii- fully verdant, well cultivated and fertile. Strom- boil rising abrubtly from the water, with nothing to obscure the view, it's huge cone with its column of smoke streaming necessarily from its pointed | summit, forming mazy clouds extended aad car- rled by the winds to long distance, was a remark able and interesting object all day, and which we l did not tire of watching, and shall not soon for get its appearance by the glowing light of the set- ting sun, the still softer light of the young moon which made all beautiful at night.
 The next morning rose early that might | lose nothing on our entrance info the beautiful bay of Naples, but alas, though it was pleasant and | therew blue sky visible, still it was cloudy and there was good deal of haze which prevented | our seeing at distance, and we were in the bay and close to the beautiful city before its beauties and wonders broke upon us. It was more beauti- full than at first thought, for was bent upon ma king invidious comparisons between it and the l lovely bay of New York; but there is such dec- | ded difference in the features of the scenery of each that DOtn may De Callcd loSt DeaulIul, nor need the praise of detract at all from the merits of the other The summit of vesuvius was enVelop ed in clouds, looking very quiet and peaceable, | and not at all the sleeping lion it actually is. The bay IS perfect crescent completely lined with | palaces, churches and other fine buildings diversi fled with arches and towers; and high up, reaching midway to the clouds, was a fine ole convent hav- ing more the appearance of fortress than the dwelling of such quiet and peaceful order. Then the beautiful islands Ischia, Capri, and others which so relieve the watery waste when you look out upon the blue and boundless sea, with the ex- tensive line of coast and its green unduatng hills dotted with villas and villages far and near, is a transcendantly lovely scene, Vesuvius too never cease to be an object novel and unique to stran- gers eye nor to call forth feelings of wonder and awe, filled as it is with mysteries if neither loses or reveals. Enwrap all this and more in your i'm agnation as it is enveloped in the soft transparent haze of this delicious cline, beautilying and misti lying all around, and you may fancy somewhat of the reality. cannot take leave of you in more beautiful spot, so now adieu.
 -~s
 THE TWO FATHERS.
 BY PROFESSOR WILSON.