Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-07-05

y
solid rock, with seat and two
couches for reposing. The guides
and all the common people of the
country firmly believe the legend ol
Fthe Sibyl, and relate it with great
solemniiy. They say this was her
ancient abode; this secret chamber
the place Of repOse for herself and
her attendant, whence she proclaimed
the oracles that governed the world
without.
After emerging from this region
fof darkness and gloom, our guides
ushered Us into another, still more
appalling. Not knowing our des-
tination, We entered harrow passage,
single file, and, in a moment, en-.
countered thick volumes Of almost
scslding hot steam. Some of the
party shouted "go ahead" while
others called for retreat. Every
body seemed on the point Of suffo-
cation, but onward We went, down,
down, down inte the bowels Of the
earth, until we, finally, arrived at
the end, where are several boiling
hot springs, which readily accounted
for the bot vspors and heated air go
nearly Geprivipg US Of existence.
Such hole ! never was in before,
and never, until then, had | taken a
thorough steam bath. 1t was rem
dered doub!y SO from the fact that
we all had on our overcosts, and
were better prepared for a, winter
climate than for entering medium
Of about two hundred FAHRENHEIT.
We threatened signal vengeance up
on our guide for not telling US of his
intention to boil US alive in this i'm
mense caldron, and thst.too, without
the least preparation for such au
event, IS We discovered that be bad
stripped to the skin before entering.
Never have ] passed more agree
able time in any place, land, certaialy,
there is none more interesting; but
Oh! how sadly Italy has fallen from
her former glory and greatness; how
low and degraded, Notwithstanding
1 her rich soil and delightful climate
:, From being the ruler Of the civilized
world and the nursery Of the arts
and sciences, she has become the
land of poverty, wretchedness and
/ want. never bad the least con-
ception that any civilized country
Was cursed with such 'beggary and
degradation. Southern Italy pre-
sents most lamentable picture
Naples is full Of b. ggars; but, in the
country around, we saw them in theil
most degraded state. Is actually
appeared to Us that the entire pop
ulatien were beggars, and those shai
did not beg openly, looked more like
cut-throats and land-pirstes than any
/. class Of people ever saw. On al
occasions when we arrived at sta
ton, our carriage vas completely sur
r rouud by men, women and children
inploTiug for money OF somethln:
! to eat, in rags and dirt, and repnlsly
j both to sight and smell On on
q occasion we arrived at eountr.
church, and hundreds Of them Iet
/ the assembly and followed US j
!. doors, often surrounding our part.
e and blocking up the way. To CIV
q you, some idea of their annoyID
,fi opportunities, | will state that, o
e eating our dinners, We were con
|. peiled to enter our carriage and ,dnali.
:. close The. doors and windows, an
even then a crowd stood aroun
- looking IN upon US like "a pack
= !. famished dogs ready to devour ii
;s % scraps that might remain. Sue
- - dirt, rags, degradation and implorir
- - cries, have never Witnessed b
= y fore. ! could not but contrast
IS my own midd, poor, starving, unha
4. py Italy, with my own dear: natl
ar land, SO rich above all others in
n. the necessaries and luxuries OF ii
be l thought Of these degraded Sretch'
w and Of the comparatively hap,
,st stale Of our Southern slaves, who
es condition is infinitely superior, be
bic morally and physically. What
at field for labor can be found here
he our philantbropists.- 1t wo'
nt- be true benevolencs to aid this fal
be people. To know the real condit
The Of the lover classes in Italy, J
oo necessary 70 see and examine