Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-10
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER
NOTES OF TRAVEL IN THE OLD WORLD
Written for the National Mtelligescer Jya Citizen
Of Washington.

Il f
Wrasen for the National Ltellyescer 5ya Citizen
of Washington.
The morning was bright and bracing as our diligence
ratified Of the streets Of Catania little position
eparky red-brd in his jacket and feathers; con-
ductor sleepy conductors usually and horses
long and lean and full Of latent FIRE the diligence
horses Of Sicily in general The road for seven or
eight miles along the shores Of the bay over low
plain passing few scattering farm-hopses and some
Of the battlefelds famous in the history Of the early
Sicilian wars. About seven miles from Catania we
crossed the river Simeto the largest believe in Sicily
The plain through which the Smeto is Of great
extent, and abounds in fine meadow lands. Numbers
of thatched cottages Of conical shape like haysacks
are scattered along the banks Of the river having
very peculiar and picturesque effect We oil dsmounted
at the ferry and were ferried in dilapidated
boat which miraculously reached the opposite bank
without sinking The road turned slightly inland,
rough barren hills, passing Lake Beviero
the Lake fLentino, pretty little shpond till we reached
the town of Lentn where the horses changed Len
stin is the modern Of the ancient Leontnum
ranked among the most powerful cities Of Sicily pos
sessed in olden times handsome temples rich public ed
fees paestra and various works Of art but laid
waste during the and scarcely trace remains
of its ancient grandeur 1t is wretched collection of
dirty dilapidated houses with population Of filthy and
half barbarous peasantry.
Here commenced that series of calamities to which
have already incidentally referred Eighteen miles in
the bracing morning air had given rayenous appe
tite. The Hotel de Pargi recommended by our dr
the best in the place. and although it bore very
little resemblance to any thing had ever seen in Paris
being about as black and dirty looking locanda we
had in Sicily ascended through the hostlery to
large with table in the middle and half dozen
wooden chairs ranged round the walls and called for
qaalee mangrain plain English, something to eat
The padrona sourlookng woman, eyed us with spe-
cuave glance having reference to the size Of purses
and said have nothing but eggs and bread
the meat has been devoured by party that have just
gone ahead" "very well, then" said we let have
the eggs and bread possible. In about half
hour had scanty coazine of fried eggs to which
did much justice the subject permitted. Now,
Padrona, what is to payf" "what you wish senores"
"No, MOI you must Ax your own price Then, as
you have had nothing but eggs and bread We win only
charge you two dollars" "Two dollars! why that is
impossible We have only had dozen eggs and little
bread!'' "wen then, say dollar and half; that is
very little for four persons, senores We paid the dol
lar and half and considered ourselves very clevery
done AS we about to leave, hostess reminded
us of another small charge-three carlins for the room
aWhat" said we in an honest fit of indignation, /" do
you say pay for the privilege Of eating
your miserable coazine in this barn of place - Of
course senores, you have had the of the room"
every true but did you think going to eat out
of doors?" by means, and that is the why
charge YOU for the accommodation of the room"
no use to argue against system of reasoning cogent
as this the position calling to us to come on; so
we bald three carns for the Of the room Pass
ing out we were attacked by dirty cuisine who demand
ed triHng remuneration for her services Please your
excellences, cooked breakfast for you The deuce
you did, how do you suppose we could eat it unless II
was cooedf Are people in the habit Of eating break
fast raw at the Hotel de Pargf" No. senores cook it
for them and they always give me something for my
,troubs 1t was no use rebel the cook hung to us
like leech and it was only by paying her three carns
that we could extrcate ourselves from her clutches
Thank Heaven we are done now" our involuntary
exclamation as we made our exit "Aspctta, senores,
said voice behind, "you have forgotten the Jdkano
"The whati" The porter, gentlemen" "And pray
what have you done for ~ attend to the baggage
senores But have baggage here it is all in the
diligence" "Ah that makes difference; II could have
carried it for you past live, you know and this is all
the pay get 10 support large family" The claim was
Irresistible we rebeed frst but it use, the
fakina followed till had to give him few brecc to
ret rid Of him. WELL this beats Italy all hollow"
our unanimous conclusion took respective seats
in the diligence and began to enjoy the luxures Of sun
shine and cigars after the storm through which we had
passed. " Bona mano," said our last position "For
what you rascal ~ "For driving YOU" "But you did
not drive u.s. you asleep all the time wont pay
your However, did pay him, after great deal Of
talking " Drive on now" shouted the Englishman.
Andatc roared the Portuguese. $50 ahead" said l.
"Aspetta senorcs" cried the hostler bono ndno for
the hostler" We threw the hostler few carlins, and
shouted, " drive ON, andate . 60 ahead againv As
petta r. cried the hostler :" this is diligence ex
ira dgences are always double price Besides it is two
posts from Catania and you have only paid for one
change Of horses" Diaboo," roared the Portuguese
Eve have only had one change and that has just been
put in now" "ruc, senores but you must pay for the
halfway post" " There is post there, you scoun-
drel-no horses-nothing at ALL" "Da verro, senores,
but these horses have done double duty they must be
paid for, or they can't go on I" This too bad. We
unanimously determined that we would pay for chang
ing horses, when such change was made Go to the
devil with your horses, then we wont pay cent more
Va 5ene senores replied the hostler very cody u
hchng the horses, and leading them off to the stable
s'you viii have TO 60 without horses that's ALL
Here was predicamenti The inhabitants Of the clas
steal city Of Lentni pouring down from oil the
neghborng streets the diligence that was bound
to Syracuse without horses Matons with children IN
their arms held up their precious babes to the sight
piratcaooking fellows gathered around and examined
us with deliberate and speculative stare; the little boy
shouted merriy and called the attention Of all straggnf
acquainances the tongue Of the diligence that pointeS