Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-04-19
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER FOURTEEN.

September. Passed one night in Milan. Took
cars at early morn for Lake Como, distant about
forty miles, and passed through level and well
cultivated country. Como is q walled city and has
population of about twenty Thousand. We took
hasty breakfast at the hotel and then went aboard
one of the many little steamers which run con.
| stantly from one end of the lake to- the other
Who has not heard of lake Como, and read the
enchanting descriptions oft in poetry and romance
picturhhg it to the mind some ideal place-a gar
den of Eden, a region fit for the gods. But come
with me, the boat is just starting and we will judge
for ourselves. At last the money gaining officers
are satisfied with the crowd they have secured and
we move off, leaving Como in the distance; but as
there is nothing to attract toward the city we will
turn our attention to natures master works. How
beautifully we glide along rufing the crystal
waters, while the sun is sending forth his RAYS with
all that beauty peculiar to summer days, and we
long to 60 ashore and ramble over those beautiful
mountains, covered with the richest vegetation,
even to the summit, gathering the wild flowers that
peep up from the emerald carpet beneath the trees,
listening to the humming of summer insects and
the dear little birds they carol their sweet lays
skipping from limb to ling and tree to tree, happy
in their freedom. Then we would delight in visit
ing those beautiful villas which we see, lending
variety to the scenery. The first we passed, with
its lovely grounds, was that in which poor Queen
Caroline Of England lived during portion Of her
exile, where Napoleon also resided for time.
There are the cottages of Tagloni and Pasti beau
tful in their perfect simplicity; and lastly among
numbers of others, is the villa Lenno, said to stand
on the very spot where that of Pliny once stood.
But now we have before US landscape of unsur-
passed beauty; We seem, as it were, walled in by
these high mountains, without an outlet-but no,
our pleasure does not cease yet. Gradually our
pass appears, and opens to our view another beau
tiful picture from natures portfolio. Let us take
one general glance at the beautiful panorama before
Jig, the high mountains, smiling valleys, fourishing
villages and beautiful villas. Is not the scene
heavenly? Does it not seem that nature has ex-
hausted herself in adjoining this portion of her
world, and lavished her greatest charms upon it
lending beauty to all around, that excites the
soul; beauty that can never grow tame, some
thing indescribable, never to be forgotten? Do
you think now that any descriptions of lake Como
can be or ever were exaggerated?
But see, how suddenly the sun has Withdrawn
his radiant face-the sky moment since so beau
tifuly blue, the feecy clouds floating so gracefully
tbo how ,icl, mod H. rka
and even now there are large drops Of rain falling
thick and fast. What shall we do? Go down
stairs? Oh no, the saloon is already crowded to
Overlooking with people-strange people too-who
prefer comfortable seat to the privilege Of drink
ing into their souls and gazing at the beauties Of
lake Como. No; we will remain upon deck and
enjoy the fresh air. for it is the first rain we have
had in Italy. Now, are We not cosy with our UNI
breas and shawls? the rain comes, and the big
hail-stones fall around us, but we care not, and
are determined not to be moved by anything. Now
it has ceased altogether, the sun again Eliminates
both the country around and the faces of the retu
passengers. Is it not singular fact that scarce
day passes without rain on this lake? Now the
boat turns and we retrace our steps-we reach
Como-the rain pours again in torrents, and we are
obliged to 90 ashore, as the boat remains but few
moments. However, our faithful courier has car
riages and baggage all in readiness, and We are
soon nicely packed in, the rain roars without and
beats spitefully against the windowpanes, but the
driver cracks his whip, and the horses dash along
briskly. 1t is soon dark and we miss seeing the
beautiful country; reach our place of rest about
ing much refreshed, and glancing from our window
struck with the great beauty around-the still,
beautiful lake, mountainous country, and feel that
'twoud be happiness to live here. But our carri-
ages are waiting-we must hurry on. What
splendid road we pass over, winding around the
down valleys now through forest, now
along richly cultivated fields. See the groups of
women toiling, without shoes, ever and anon bear
ing heavy burdens while the men merely superin-
tend or sit idly by. Do you not feel thankful that
in America, at least, woman has her rights, is al
lotted her true sphere in life-treated with due
civiEty and consideration?
But we have reached Luvino on the shores of
the beautiful lake Maggiore, and as the boat will
not reach here for two hours we are invited by
man of the town to cit in his billiard-saloon-look
on as the game continues, the room slightly per-
fumed with bad liquor and worse cigars-as the
only place waiting traveller can sit. We look
about the premises and conclude it is preferable to
sit on the street outside devoted to marketing and
get fresh air, and amuse ourselves watching the
market women Now, in the distance we see the
smoke of the little steamer. What joyful sight!
She lands, and we soon have left Luvino-her
and market people.
The lake is beautiful, but not to be compared to
Como, being much larger and the scenery not so
picturesque. Near Raveno is the beautiful island
of Isola Bella, which belongs to Count Borcmea,
and which art alone has rendered perfect paradise,
for it was once but barren rock. The palace and
grounds about it Ibelieve are unequalled anywhere.
We dine at Raveno, then take carriage for
Domo d0ssolo," passing through a rich, fertile
valley, and over fine road. This town is only
rendered important from its being the place Ct
embarkation for those crossing the Alps by the