The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-22
I LETTERS FROM ABRoAD.-=No. ..
EXCURSION 10 ALBIcA.
EcoLEDo, LAKE CoAo,
Italy, August 20, 1858.

Italy August 20, 1858.
DEAR Joooo: A veronese, known here as the IN
geere, (more properly Surveyor about forty middle
stature, body nclnng little forward In consequence Of
arrangement Of the spinal column, coarse prominent
features large percepves small round hazel eyes small
intellectual and large instructive faculties short pepper
coured hair, pair OF wsNets DARKER than the
hair on the head descended from each temple and joined
lot Of hair the upper lip, the chin shaved
active temperament and decent costume short time
SINCE left for homeVcrona He possesses such qualities
as rendered him in request among the ladies', He has
an nsinuating way Of making the acquaintance of every
new female conner, especially ii she be his superior ;
then he can talk 80 much and say nothing in par
ucuiari IL always ready to do their bidding and
when the ladies would propose excursion the ing
was the first consulted and selected master OF
ceremonies He always civil to the mascuies and
would whisper to chosen few the Invitation for
cusson, OF some other entertainment He has been
placed by Milanese, having similar mental calbre
large snufcolored and white moustache roseate com
pexon less hair the head than his prototype, and
more gentlemanly bearing -Four evenings ago, while
sitting in the saloon, i noticed bevy of fashionable
women and the Mianese in close potent
sign. The next day was invited by lady TO join
party for Albga The day fixed for the departure
Was subsequently, told by the Manese that he had made
all necessary arrangements We were to have fine
breakfast and poaadI, pudding made of corn-meal,
small birds and butter the national dish in these parts
1t is az popular ''hog and hominy' in Kentucky,
possum fat and sweet potatoes in North Carolina
bears foot and cabbage in Arkansas What delightful
have partaken the last sixty days, morning and evening
The day for the departure changed The Mlanese
Informed ie tha suilcieht hutbet OF blscs toitld
not be procured before Thursday yesterday and that
nothing had been omitted in his instructions to
charming time AT five o clock and fifteen minutes the
hathman aroused from delightful dream in relation
to good eating. He entered my chamber and in two min
utes my person was enveoped in "a wa shed that morn
ings bath At six oil in readiness for movement
Three portannas, sort of hand carriage, consist
ing of comfortable seat for person, suspend
ed on two horizontal shaves, and sustained by two
men, were employed by six ladies' three walking
and three riding alternately One lady rode pony,
another on donkey six gents went OH ponies, another
~ donkey the Balance went foot the party
sisting of twenty two Individuals You arc awfc that
Rcgoedo is five hundred feet above the level Of the
lake, and must be informed TINT Albga is Oh the
summit of mount San Dcfendente upwards Of six hun
dred feet higher than Regoedo An hour is required to
accomplish the ascension serpcntne, partly
paved road. The Mianese well mounted gave orders
for general movement. The cavaIcade proceeded in
good order, and arrived at seven in gay spirits
Albiga Is the name OF iodeide-siAed pasture farm
belonging to Mr.. M, the proprietor of the hydropa
thic establishment at Regoledo There is n stone dwell
ing chapel two three out houses and curious con-
tryancc for catching birds. great feature of the
curson was to see charming view from the summit Of
Mount San Deendenta
An English gentleman, lady, two children and self
instantly departed for glance at the panorama
were soon joined by others of the party. In few
ments had arrived at the most accessible point and
beckoned the followers to approach. The English lady
was in ecstasy with the view a.d bthers were about to
explode with enthusiasm, when a chubby rosy hairy
faced young doctor with little pig eyes, long tailed blue
trock coat fashionable slouced hat and long strong
Austrian cigar between his ncisors bighed my hopes OF
delighting the society cc9one hs my second visit
by denouncng that point Of being totally inferior
| to another hard by Down went enthusiasm, and up
went silk dresses leaving immense crnones confront
the bushes and brambles each side of the path
Finally we emerged into open ground dashed away and
soon joined other members of the party and proceeded
to the spot where the grand view TO be seen the
doctor and two ragged boys leading guides
Another long winding path TO be entered A fine
specimen of the gender feminine who overcome by
warmth, having assembled partly foot earnestly
asked mo how much further she must travel to SEQ the
view desired her to follow but how was such
rotundity of crnoline to pass the high bushes and
row path 1t was quite an honor to DO the guide of
lady with flowing black locks, large black lusous eyes,
splendid dsdura, (set Of teoth,) charming features
roseate complexion lofty figure, IA model for Powers
finished manners, and the wife of gentleman of Milan
whose fortune is according to report from seventeen to
twenty eight millions of livas Mianese about nine
teen cents each At this uncturo how grateful wasI not
being Dixon ii. Lewis nor Nobe
Quite different with my lady friend. Herself and
want maid were b,sy occupied making the ''path easy
In time we arrived at the point The number of persons
soon became too large for the open space and could
not contemplate at the romantic co, all that
was spread below and around us. Beneath is long
valley running east and west to chain of mountains
tending north and south In front presented the sides
of lofty mountains to the end of the valley In the west
is seen the pretty town of elano the Shore and por
ton OF the mountains each side of the lake all which,
in every direction for the eye extends highly
cultivated and ornamented with number Of picturesque
villages, gardens, trees, and shrubbery in abundance
Indeed here all of Natures tnts of the green's browns
blues and greys harmoniousy blended surprising in
beauty any short description might attempt to give
BY dint of huddng together and great many ejacua-
tory praises, each essayed to be pleased. Some
words like 'breakfast appetite poenda were heard
among the crowd and suddenly the party route
for the long contemplated repas Above observed
dark clouds that gave token of storm. few large
drops OF rain here and there indicative Of what fol-
lowed We approached the farm house. Saw mt least
four peasants engaged in picking about two dozen caav
erous little birds whose bodies about the size of
walnut They to be eten ichoe when cooked with
the poenda The servants had prepared the breakfast in
the open air, consisting of cold veal chicken, sausage
bread, wine, ale, cheese fruit All tiptoe for
the national dsh when the painful tings of mo but
ter reached our il had been forgotten"
Breakfast commenced and some time was occupied
discussing the various dishes when large lght-yellow
boiled corn pudding was brought by servant, who,
with cord divided il into sectionsso that each might
have slice This was the potaaai minus birds butter and
salt took piece, and instantly thought of my corn
meal -loving friends in Kentucky and Indiana. Bowls
and milk served and nigh two puldings were de-
spached Indeed never inyalids eat with much
energy. About this time it commenced raining and
blowing intensely, We took refuge in the peasants
house. most uncomfortable place, with little furniture
Messengers sent in pursuit of umbrellas, shaws
cloaks &C. Some three hours after The
whole party had arrived at Regocdo laughing about the
Storm their soilcd hab;limens, and the failure of the
polenda might well remark that the doctor of the
ACurc and his charming Diana Vernon of a wife came