Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-20

atag effects of the volcanic eruptons are visible
every whe-e the roadside, and even below Catania
the of the country is blackened with masses Of the
lava The foundations Of the villages along the shore
for miles the walls around the fields, the lanes and
grounds all formed Of volcanic deposites and
give dreary aspect the woe country hundreds Of
villages lie buried beneath the desoating that
have poured from the in times past vineyards and
olive groves castles villas works Of art thousands Of
men, women and children, lie Wondering under those
fierce hoods Of ashes and lava Other and villages
have sprung up the ruins thousands Of living beings
dwell in the places, and look up every day with
careless indifference at the smoking crsser vineyards
and olive groves nourished from the bones Of tie
dead What matters it. Nobody believes there will be
another eruption in his etime and if cones then
will be time enough to think Of escape. SO they live
in happy sense Of security; and If the climate permit
ted have doubt the crater itself would be Inhabited
Does any body refrain from travelling by railway because
have of the track Do the people Of the West
go ia keel-boats because steamboats, blow up Does o.
refuse 90 the mines Of California because his
brother or friend has shufed of the mortal coil I'M q
gold pitt
Vineyards thrive in the lava Of Mount Etna. The whole
district Of San Nichooso which has been covered
dozen times and which will most likely be covered again
the very first time old Etna from his long sa,
and belches forth his fiery foods is hicky inhabited,
and doubt would if practicable 80 increasing and
extending up toward the summit till it got into the
gions Of FIRE and birthstone.
The village of San Nicholoso is about two hours from
Catania. We reached the iocaada or inn,
hour before sunset and having nothing there to
interest us, cast about for Of passing
the rest Of the afternoon The padrona. goodnatured
laxative fellow informed that there lived not far OF
one Senior Gemmellaro, who sort Of conspicuous
character in the neghborhood and who spoke good En-
gsh, and always glad to see Englishmen and Ameri
cans-in short that he could tell good deal about
Mount Etna that would be Of to Encouraged by
this piece Of information out under the padronas
guidance to pay visit to Senior Gemmearo who was at
his villa outside the village.
pleasant walk Of half mile through the narrow
lands that separate the vineyards Of Nichooso brought
to the gate Of Senior Gemmellaros villa Here found
collected forty fifty merry damses, with baskets
their heads filed with the grapes of the vineyard It did
good the merry sunburnt faces Of these
damsels and hear their oya voices they sang their
songs of geesome labor Ahappierloong set of beings
never saw in their ragged dresses and broad brmmed
hats and venture to say they happy they
looked. These the peasant girls of the country
Senior Gemmellaro met at the gate in the true spirit
of fine old country gentleman. am very glad to
youp said he, though have but little to offer you
here You see my country house there-a mere straw
cabin but good enough for old bachelor The cottage
indeed curiosity. Robinson Crusoe never designed
shaded by stood this rustic little wigwam with its
peaked straw roof and single door, and the inviting aroma
grape vines and flowers around it. and IN front alaugh
ing dancing, buxom gang OF country girls full OF lie ana
fun and apparently not at all disposed to work They
are very troublesome set said Senior Gemmellaro 81
can't do any thing with them Then the old gentleman
would laugh and shake his head at the girls: All, you
young imps; you think because am bachelor you
do ms you please with Never mind I'll pay you up
I'll get wife to keep you all in order Here the old
gentleman would laugh again. until his eyes seemed ready
10 of
we laughed.
We went into the cottage where found the roof
namented with choice selections Of grapes and various
productions Of the villa The old gentleman prdes him
self on a particular wne which he makes with his own
hands, to which he gallanty gives the Of Vino del
DONNA II is wine peculiarly for the ladies' and
must saw ii the very best that could desired for the
delicate palate of the fair The grapes perfectly
deciousfar superior to we had tasted down in the
lower country tg1 a.f
We learned from Senior Cemmearo that the climate and
soil of San Nchooso peculiarly adapted to the Quilt
walton of the grape Black and parched as the whole
face of the country appears it produces most abundant
crops the quality OF the wine very far surpasses that
of the Marsalla region in richness and decacy Wealthy
families often to spend the summer here IN order
enjoy the pure air and the delicious grapes and wines
of the neighborhood.
The view from San Ncholoso the valley Of Catanis
is of the finest in Sicily Vineyards, white shining
villas, groves Of olive and almond trees meadows and
ruins of haburied villages spread out below in all the
variegated hues of living panorama, bounded by the
gistening sea and the far-of hills Of Syracuse From
the rustic observatory of host we had sunset view
of this magnificent region that made an impression
never to be efaced Senior Gemmellaro delighted at
the effect Of his skill in rustic architecture and have no
doubt attributed the admirable manner in which the sun
descended the peculiar construction OF his observatory
We walked back with him. after feasting ourselves
figs grapes wne and scenery to the village, where he
took us his old padzso and showed US all the curl
ostes of the establishment. There were dogs immune
rable yard white rabbits and grey rabbits, squir
res and cats and rats, peafowl and ginea-fow, and
all manner of fowl strengthening things creeping on
the ground and up the grapeyines old guns and HORNS
and shotpouches hanging under the piazza old vases to
catch the rain and antique columns starting up out OF
the ground in all directions 1t strange bachelor
like old place. with sign Of life about it save that of
the strange animals that kept company with their old
master Yet he seemed to be happy and to take quiet
pleasure in feeding his pets perhaps as much as most
people do in feeding their wives
The cabinet of Senior Gemmellaro contains rich and
wonderful collection Of volcanic specimens lava in all
possible forms the shape of snakes lizards and
pigs others unlike old castles, statuary columns ana
antique ALSO coins Of rare value relics OF Scian
history old papers and old books and thousand curious
things impossible to describe .
In his register Of vsiters the names Of some us
tinguished travellers but few names OF Amerlcans
Of recent date. Chief among those were Mr.. =. JOY
Morris and family and Mr. Alexander Clements OF wash
ington who made the ascent in company last spring
year AFRO: and of later date, believe in May last,
those Of Professor Snan and party Of friends, who
spent days in scientific tour to the crater ana
in the San Nchooso The ascent OF Mount
Etna has been rendered much less difficult OF late years
than formerly was by the laudabe cxerons OF Senior
Gemmellaro in opening better mule paths and removing
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