Thibodaux minerva., 1856-02-16
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER FIVE.

+ Dear ..**~: According to expectations
> we left Marseilles on the morning of the 23d, in
: small steamer, the "Monjbello' The fare wa
good, but everything was 50 dirty, and the waiter
d such greasy looking Italians, that might hav'
been minus an appetite; vet they gave but tw'
: meals day-breakfast at eleven, and dinner a
six-we did justice to all the good things before us
At Marselles, Joined party of four American
gentlemen, whose company being agreeable ant
the weather fine, our trip on the beautiful Medi
terranean rendered very pleasant. The sea
was as calm as one of our rivers-full of beauty
and the iron-bound shores rough and rugged
l think l never enjoyed anything more than the
sunsets and the long twights, as we sat on deck
refreshed by the cool breezes.
On the second day after our departure, We
reached Ccvita Vecchia, the nearest seaport town
from Rome. 1t is dreary looking place, and is
filled with French and Swiss soldiers to protect the
Pope. Sad state of affairs should think Our
steamer was soon surrounded by diving boys,
begging pennies. The gentlemen threw them
some, first wrapping them in white paper and then
throwing them swiftly into the sea- 1t was aston
lshing and amusing to see the rapidity and GER
tainty with which they divcd down and appeared
ao ao.ln in an instant with it in their mouths Poor
creatures! it must be hard way of earning a
living; and it was enough to excite to pity to see
them trembling in their degradation, shiverng and
perfectly chilled by each successive bath.
A bishop and cardinal, in their clerical robes,
and with their attendants and body guard, came
on board for a short ride-returning to land in a
small boat. One of the poor priests was deathly
sick, though the motion was not great; but doubt
whether his pale face excited the pity of all the
party. In passing Corsica and Elba, we had quite
a good view of the coast, which we found exceed
ingly rugged and barren.
! Reached Naples on the 25th, early in the morn
ing, though it was near midday before our pass
ports and baggage had been examined, and
permission granted us to land. This custom is
exceedingly annoying to those on tour Of sight
seeing, with their time limited. The entrance into
the bay was charming beyond description; and the
scenery until we reached the city, beautiful In
deed no descriptions of the beauty of this bay are
it equalled, by any in the world.
After landing in small boat, we were first con-
Quoted by courier to the police office, where
ticket was given for the passports-the latter being
retained until we should leave the city, Then
went to the custom house and had baggage ex-
amined, which was mere form. They seem to
fear the introduction of books and firearms only
among the people. Alas poor Italy! Where is
all your liberty? when your inhabitants cannot be
allowed to read even Bible, lest they should rebel
and overthrow the almighty power of the careful
guardians of their souls Gone-all gone and it
seems too evident never more to return.
Well, having finished with the custom house,
and passing through dense crowds of hzzaroni, we
finally succeeded in taking carriages to the Hotel
Vittoria. Found the situation delightful having
a fine view of the bay from our piazza Accom-
modations are good, and fare passable. Have table
dhote for dinner but breakfast is served in private
parlors.
Allowing no time to be lost, we were soon out
sight seeing, and commenced with a visit to the
museum. There we saw splendid paintings of
every style, with much fine sculpture and some
very antique specimens Of statuary; also great
collection Of curostes taken from the ruins of
Pompeii and Herculaneum. 1t was with feelings
strange and indescribable that I gazed upon the
relics of cities overthrown and buried in oblivion
more than two thousand years ago-upon books
baked food, Bread cooking utensils and thousands
of other things similar with those of the present
by human beings like ourselves so long
since turned to dust. Days might be passed here
satisfactorily; and it is tantalzing in the extreme
o be obliged to take such a cursory view Of OBJ
ects so full of interest
We then drove to the Kings palace, out some {
stance upon beautiful hill. and was not gratifed
With my visit The palace is but little used by the
Aing, as he resides some distance in the country
he greater part of the time. 1t is plainly furnished,
nd the only objects Of interest are some fine
aintings.
We then visited the cemetery of Campo Santo l..
'ecchio, the grounds of which are prettiy ar +
anged; but the tombs are immensely large e
esembling small houses. They have there large Q
ourt devoted to the burial of the poor of the CITY,
his contains three hundred and sixtyfve pits, one
, be opened each day in the year, and thus per- Z
lit decomposition to take place. One is opened 0
very midnight-and with the greatest sang troid,
lie poor-who have been brought by cart-loads- "
re stripped of every vestige of clothing, and p
lmbed, in the greatest confusion, into their last
'sting place. Quick lime is then thrown in, and %
lie place covered until another year rolls round D
he idea was so perfectly revolving to me that my W
cart sickened and turned quickly away. u
In the afternoon had charming ride round the d
~, and was perfectly fascinated with the great n
.auty which surrounded me. Old Vesuvius al
noking and slumbering III his majestic glory, his t.
rath luled to sleep, arose to view, lending double
'auty to the whole scene; while the sunset was ri
orious-a little different but nothing superior to
ose witnessed many winters eve in our own II, ~
'uisiana. Here the beauty Of sunset consists re-
perfectly coudless sky, the departing rays of q
e sun seeming to illume the heavens to the 81
we seldom see with us. / have a. a.
en- disappointed, also, with the beauty of their &C