The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-04-30
LETTER FROM ITALY.
Tho following letter was received by Miss
AGNES WILLARD, OF Hillsdalo, from her broth
er, an officer in the Navy, now in Italy; which
U. s. SHIP IRoeUoIs,

> U. s. SHIP IRoeUoIs,
: NAPLES, Feb. 2S, 1861.
= We first arrived at Gibralter, then we
) went to Tangin in Africa, then to Genoa, then
to Naples where we were when Garibaldi
} landed on the Island Of Sicily and advanced
on The city Of Palermo. We then went 10
tho latter city and remained there during the
bombardment and until it was surrendered.-
We then returned to Naples where VIC have
been all summer with the exception of the
time VIC were at Palermo and few days we
were at Messina, opposite the lower point OF
Italy.
In December last We went to Genoa. In
going into the harbor about o'clock on a
very dark night, We ran shows on to large
shelving rock close in shore. The accident
was owing to the mistake Of the Pilot. For
tunatcly the weather was calm and we were
pulled off at daylight by Genoa steamer.
I We were obliged to take our ship into dry
dock whore r,n1aool "h~.-- -
Genoa is pretty city and contains mum
Der Of fine private palaces in which are gal
lcries Of paintings open to tho inspection of
strangers. Some OF the rooms are splendid
| ly furnished, one in particular which tho
guido book states twas furnished by Lacho-
lor member o, the family, and the gliding Of
which cost 100000" We also visited the
palace of the present King of Italy, Victor
Emanuel, and as the family were absent we
were shown through all the bedrooms, sitting
rooms, dining room and grand saloon, which
were very fine. We also visited the churches
The Dome or Cathedral of San Lorenzo is
remarkable. The front is of alternate LAYERS
of white and black marble. Inscriptions on
the wal state that Genoa was founded by
Janus |, the grandson of Noah. The Chapel
Of john the Baptist is open to females but
one day in the year, on account Of Herodiss
having taken the head of the Saint. The
relies OF st. John arc inside the altar. Tho
"Anuuziata" is 4 very magnificent church,
most splenIidIy painted inside mosaced in "a
magnificent style, and gildel in tho most ex-
trayagapt manner.
The streets. are crooked and narrow, and
people generally walk in the middle of them,
in fact only two Of the principal ones have
any sidewalks and these latter are only wide
enough for two persons. On Sunday the
stores are usually closed. People attend
church in the morning and amuse themselves
by walking the streets in the afternoon aud
attending the theatres in the evening. The
opera house, "San Carlo" is very fne and
the second in size in Europe, but L do not
think the performances equal those of ours at
homo. l attended some masked balls which
were very amusing.
Genoa contains 100 900 inhabitants, com.
prising plenty of soldiers, priests and beggars,
the latter OF which are fast disappearing uu-
der tho effect of recent laws which makes
them liable to be arrested and sent to q work
house. We left Genoa about the last Of
January, stopped two days at Spozia, thence
| to Naples. Naples is city Of 100000 peo-
pie, lately governed by Francesca III, who
fled from i. on t c 9Th of September last
Gar!baIdi took possession the next day and a
few weeks after handed it over to King Vic.
tor Emanuel, who now governs the Kingdom
Q. Naples, (inciudlng the Island of Sicicily)
and who expects to conquer the Roman and
Nenltlan Domions
Naples is said to be one of tho most finely
situated cities in the world. 1t is situated on
splendid Bay about 90 miles in diameter.
Back OF the city rises some high hills and on
the eastern side of tho Bay towers the cole.
brated Mount Vosuyias from the top Of which
can be seen by day small column of smoke
Arising, and at the foot of whose slope arc
the RUNS of Pompei, only about one third Of
which have been excavaled. The paved
streets and walls still remain but the statues
and all objects Of value have been removed
to the Museum Of Naples. Pompei and Her |
cuaneum were both destroyed by the erup.
tion in the year 20, the former was buried in /
ashes, tue latter in mud. Nearly all the pop. (
ulation escaped. a la gs village (Resina)
and Royal Palace (l'ortieD now occupy the .
site over HorCulaneum. The streets Of Pom.
pen were very narrow, the houses low, the
bedrooms aud private rooms very small and
usually without windows.
The height of Mount Vesuvias is nearly
1000 feet and during one eruption it is stated
that column Of liquid fire arose from it not
less than three times the height Of the noun
tain, the light Of which enabled persons to
road a book at 10 miles distance. St, no of
100 pounds were thrown into the streets aud
the ashes in the latter were four feet deep. -
The ashes were found afterwards lao miles
distant. One piece OF lava many tons in
weight Was thrown three miles and some of
the lava was SIX years ia cooling So write,
historians. Sill, al. around tho base of the
Mount are villages containing 10000 people.
The Mount is quiet at present, the only fire
perceptible from Naples is small tract on
the side resembling a coal bed on fire. | was
very much interested in visiting Pompei. -
The relics in tho Museum are very interesting.
statues of white and colored mar.
bic, and in bronze. Mcnerva, in white mar.
bic cost $4,000. a large water spout con.
lai.s water in it, (sealed) supposed to have ,
been there 500 years, and can be distinctly ,
heard when shaken. The collection of roli :
nd silver ornaments, bronzes aud articles of !
domestic furniture of all kinds of material, arc 4,
very curious. Also great variety Of articles {.
usually found in tue shops aud stores Of a city 4
Including wine, oil and other liquids, now f,
solids, bread with the makers name on it, q
'rlit, paints, eggs and clothing, al! present. /,
% the appearance Of Having been scorched c
10 cinder but retaining their shape perfect t
y. The Gallery of paintings is also very /
many of them being By the tift ,
masters such as Michael, Angelo, Guido,
Caracc Coucggio, Titan and Rubcns. One
picture, "lhe vision of st. Cstherine's mar.
risge to the Infant Saviour" about q inches
square (by Correggo,) valued at $4,000; !, :
Il. \ u