The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-01-26

CaPu@ and Gaeta.

Tho annexed description Of these two
cities, to which SO much attention is now
directed, was communicated to tho N. Y.
Century by the Rev. DR.. Winslow:
Modern Capua is about mile and a.
half from the ste Of the ancient Capua,
in which Hannibal Of old took refuge with
his army. But it is OH the same plane in
the same direction upward, and is thus as
much the Saluc city as the upper part Of
New York is Of the lower. Ii is twenty
miles northwest Of Naples, and twelve
miles from the mouth OF the VOlturno. on
which 1t is built It is walled city, with
q garrison, and, when VIC were there, con.
tained about five thousand troops. Most
OF them were out on parade and made 4
fine appearance. The city IL on the left
bank Of the Volturno, Q river about the
size Of the Connecticut, ut IIanover, across
which is broad and solid bridge. This
was anciently ono Of the principal cities
OF the world, being Of the same class with
Carthage and Rome. Indeed, Straba says
that it derived its name from edput,
whicn is the Latin for head, because it
was regarded as the chief city. CdpuG
2WOnddm inter tres mdrimGS nunerdt0." "
lib. ], ch. 16.
II was built by the Tyrrhenians, some
six hundred years before Christ, who
were driven out by the Samnitcs, and
they in turn by the Romans; and it thus
became tho capita! Of what Cicero con-
sidcrcd the finest province Of the Roman
Empire. II is still populous and beau
tiful city. But its Notifications are by
no means formidable, and | should con-
slider il no mighty feat for a General OF
some promise, with an army Of ten thou.
sand, to force his way into it between it's
mounted cannOns, in . short time. The
surrounding country, and indeed tho en-:
tire valley OF the VOlturno, is very fertile
and beautiful. The entire atmosphere is
redolcnt Of vintagcs, orange vines and all
the delicious fruits Of the climate, and ev.
erything there seems to invite to case and
luxury, rather than the stern tug Of war
and battle. 1t is not strange that Hanni.
balls troops became there cnervatcd. II
is to be dcvoMiy hoped that nothing Of
the like calamity will bclal those Of Gira-
baldi.
Gaeta is quite different place, both in
position and structure. II is situated on
gulf and Is almost entirely surrounded
by water. II is connected with the main
land by very narrow neck, by which it
is only entered through two strong gates.
It.iS south from Capua, and north Of and
west from Naples. 1t stands high, and
makes an imposing appearance. On the
summit Of the hill is the Tore d'Orlando
(OrlAndo's TowcT), which is seen for many
miles around. An inscription on the gates
shows II to have been the mausoleuIn Of
Lucius MunacuS PlancuS who is conSid.
cred the founder Of Lyons. 1t was erected
not long before the Christian era.
The modern fort Of Gaeta was built by
AlphonSo Of Arragon, about l440, and
greatly enlarged and strengthened by
King Ferdinand and Charles V. They
made it, as it now is, by far the strongest
fortress in the Kingdom Of Naples. 1t
has in modern times resisted some very
long and nr'luous siegcs, one in the year
1896, against the French; another in 1916,
against tho Austrians. Here the King of
Naples with his forces have now taken
refuge against Garabaldi. Nor do see
how they can DO dispossessed without .
fleet To forcc = way in, over the neck,
and through the gates, is impossible
With q small army to cut of supplies
from tho country, is next to impossible !;
and even if this were done, the sea and
the ships still remain to the desperate and
determined King.
| shall not detain the reader with the
commonplace account of the churches and
other lions Of this city. Tho city, in its
structure, position and aspect, from with
out, is ancient, peculiar and curious. !
have seen none that appeared moro So.-
But its churches are much the same as oil
others in Italy, Of which there are so many
accounts rs to almost weary us Of them.
The cathedral church, dedicated to St.
Erasmus, Bishop Of Antioch, the patron
saint Of Gaeta, has a Steeplc Of great alti-
tudc and beauty, which was erected by
the Emperor Frederick BarbarosSa. As
you look upon it from a distance across
the gull, it has the appearance Of mOn-
umcnt rising from the sea and shooting
its bold summit upward among the stars.
Gacta has population Of about 1000.
It is supposed TO have been founded by
4Eneas, in honor Of his nurse, GAjeta. from
whom 1t is named. According to Virgil
she died in this place.