The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-02
LETTERS FROM dBRoAD.-No. q
haEB Coad, ToHBArpr, IfAIit,
August 7th, 1858.

Ds,n Joaoa A few days ago Mr. F., gentle
from the Pyreneese France, departed with me for
Varenna, among the pretty towns tuated on the
eastern shore of the Lake there we brcakfsed after
which took 6arca, (peasure-boat,1 conducted by
In his seventy ith year who has obtained his living
an the lake since he eight DID, has never been
III is the father of ten children the youngest Of whom
bright lad assisted in rowing At times there
light breeze, which inflated oblong sauare SAIL
pended on slender hafmast, giving ADDITIONAL accelc
ration to our movement.
Over our heads AGs suspended an awning On ihe
sce Zach side of the little vessel oStcndcd very red
and very soft cushions, which sat. On the west
shore nearly opposite to village named Bellaggo
celebrated for view of the lake and adjacent country
is situated Candenabia another small town, command
ing fine view. Near by Is INC villa Soiiniafyg now
belonging TO the Princess Carotta Mariara Alberto of
Prussia It is dcscrvedy called the deeh u The villas
on the shores Of the iate Primes aecsbe of sicnign
Sasony, hahsos Nan OF lofty stature, fine complex
iob Mee eyes, light hair aged (sayl thirty and suite,
We're occupying the apartments that were unable
TO see the villa in detail We would isag.hS that there
IS ample room TO Accommodate hundred persons
elusive q servants you viii therefore understand that
the building is large We entered the reception room
say twenty-five feet between josts and fifty feet
squareappropriatey fitted up, and eoatahii,g email
but exquisite eoestoh vi marble statues Here is
the eslsbsated Triumph of Alexander frieze four
five feet in width extended four sides of the
This rieze is composed of alegorcal figures in hse,
executed marble ofCaraa by the great artist Ihorwad
sen, who required six years time to execute It, for which
he received three hundred thousand dollars We then
inspected Ia Kdeierd terten beautiful and expressive
figure by Ganoya Two figures representing Apore liovc
dying In the arms of Pycs original in its conception
and an exquisite gem of art. Pamede niastetly REP
rescntaton of hercilean strength and MANLY BEAUTY
both by Canova Mars embraced by Venus work onuch
morit done by Acquist, an Italian artist There were
gems about which L may speak hereafter.
The celebrated villa Pallavicne near Genoa the Bo
bod gardens, Florence the villas P6rcasse and Gas
team Nice or does the famous hot-house and gardens
at Chatswoh England possess 30 fine collection Of
II
the garden attached to this villa. IL would that
Flora had selected the choicest spot this fairy lake to
make horticultural exhibition, and had called to-
gether few choice members of all the families over
which she presides.
outrageous walks, fountains, gold fish, summer
houses bowers grotos and rustic seats plentiful and
diversified The villa old the interior is at
tractive than the exterior The furniture Is ancient but
rich. We saw few good paintings, and, doubt
would have seen more had the principal rooms been
visible
From thence we proceeded to the villa Nfelz near
Bellaggio belonging to the duke Of that name owning
and inhabiting palace in Milan in which he has col
lection of valuable paintings He is about thirty five
years of age married several years ago very wealthy
but delicate wife, and prospect Of heir in his FAM
lily to the title and estates This villa constructed after
designs of the celebrated architect Giocondo Aberto
Its whole ensemble presents rstclass villa forty
five years ago. then belonging to the Duke Of Melzi Er
grandfather to the present owne and Vice President Of
the italian Cisapin republic. The distribution Of the
rooms is good The floors done in mosaic and
very attractive Carpets little used in villas: the
rooms rich in ornament that furniture is only
accessory. The walls and ceilings hard polished
stucco, on which executed fine paintings in fesco
One large savor is quite unique The walls, pilasters,
chimney pieces window and door castings done with
composition called aagtioH, very expensive, initiating
and rivaling the most costly marbles The furniture is
old and elegant There is collection OF marble busts OF
distinguished persons and two acs of great beauty by
Thorwaldsen. We fair pictures of the German
and Manese schools.
Among the portraits is one of Napoleon good pro-
duction, done by Appans in 1903
The garden attached to this villa is ir rival to any
other the shores of the lake. especially in flowers of
rare beauty and delicate odor 1t also contains some
specimens of sculpture by able artists There bo Of
chapel belonging to this place for family worship 1t
contains monuments done with much skid to the
ory of some members of the family
All villas of consideration in Italy have chapel at
tached for religious services of them merit to be
Have visited two other villas nigh here, and may
briefly refer to them in my next
short and avoritc walk Of the visitors at Rcgoledo
is to view the three Kug account of which conveyed
in my last To-day after rain storm, repaired there
to the go down in dazzling spendor Above the
armament decked with long and broad shades OF pur-
pic, indigo and light blue, dissolvng into white Then
there host of little oangecoored clouds in gentle
movement.
All those colors beautifully reflected on the bosom
of the lake. north and south In the west above the
mountain tops, lay number of small clouds in quiet
harmony. Some were like molten gold and silver 9TH
like liquid corneian and rubies then there were
those having the tns of the violet and others with
the semshades Of the orange, the lemon, the golden
seach and unripe pea In the north violet and
darker Clouds gently floating sky of the purest
azure, here and there visible South of this
broad gauzy belt of greenish hue unspoted the
opy of paradise.
Here the lake forms three branches called the Ma
gclans each shore of which is bordercd you already
know, by chain Of romantic mountains
These chains to unite in consequence of the
vature of the shores, that stranger would imagine he
the end of the lake three ways In 'front.' right and
Behind the mountains on the right, and the valley,
standing in solemn grandeur second chain of dark hue;
again, in the rear and beyond these is solitary
tain OF Switzerland ung up in lofty pride, and attired
in habiments of delicate blue.
The shore of the lake is envened by sail boats fisher
mems barques and busy little steamer, whose little
wheels spank the water with the force of undegrown
Hercules.
Soon the charming scene before changed and night
spread her sable mantle it.
Returning, thought what delightful world the Divine
Creator had formed for the enjoyment of every animated
thing, and especially that chsf Faume man ] thought
of the air. animated by birds of song and brilliant
pumage the sea- with its fish, shells and plants rival
ling the rain bow in delicate ns the earth, decorated
with flowers of gay colors and sweet scents, with
oceans, lakes rivers, mountains, valleys, prnires and
woodlands inhabited by various of pretty animals
reptiles and insects and how in her breast enclosed
gold silver precious stones and other mineral substances
of beauty and utility Iregarded the thousands of stars
that wise worlds either of them surpass
this in all that is desirabe Marvellousness stands No
5 on scale 20 with me; hence divine revelation will
have to convince that there star moro beautiful
han hiu