Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-02
agricultural.
From story's Roba dl Roma
The Roman Campagna.

From story's Roba di Roma.
The Roman Campagna
Ooe of the most striking feature Of the Cam.
pagna is the herds OF cattle which are bred
there, and roam over it, hills and valleys. The
oxen are estimated 10 number about 1850 900
and magnificent beasts they are, with their soft
grayish white skins that, when well cared for
shine like silk, their enormous spreading horns
measuring five Or six ieet in width, and their
large soft eyes that Homer thought it no shame
to give to Boopis Here they are az doclIe
aud obedlent as they are majestic and powerful /,
and adorned with scarlet ribbons or bauds "A
they slowly drag along the heavy vans, no one
no one could iall to notice them lor their beauty,
The Contadini are very proud of them and treat
them with the utmost kindness. With their
natural love of color they twine around their
horns the wild flowers they pick along the road,
and on Yesterdays deck them in wreaths and
scarlet tassels and ribbons. The cows. when
well stabbed and protected from the weather,
give abundant and rich mix and the bulls,
prodiglous IN their massive shoulders aud knot
led knees, would be no easy victories IN span.
lsh arena Their horns, polished carefully, are
sold in Rome as ornaments, to be placed over
.
and whether they subserve this purpose satisfac-
tori or not, they are beautiful enough IN them.
selves to need no excuse OF utility.
BuhalOes may also be seen 10 herds here and
there. These beasts are still more powerful than
the oxen, and are used to do the hardest work
With their low heads and turned up suouts.
their short angled legs, wiry coat of shaggy
hair and rugged somiclrcular hOrIs, they pre-
sent very savage aspect but though su Ky,
they submit TO training, are very sagaclous, aud
will drag enormous loads. Their eve is strangely
melancholy and pathetic, and has the look Of a
creature which mOurls over its unhappy lot
and sOnows at its own ugness But though
ugly, they are eminenty picturesque; ind tug
glng along the hOOi-deep sand of the coast, their
rude carts laden with marble, trayertlne, or
stone, under tall stone pines that lean back
from the constant strain OF sea gales, or wal
lowing up to their belly through the grass of the
Pontne marshes, they form Il very striking lea.
lure 10 the landscape. In these marshes they
are used at certain seasons to clear the canals of
the rccds, flags and aquatic plants with which
The summer has choked the s'ream. Driven INFO
tue water and urged on by drivers ON either
bank, who goad them with lona poles, they
stumble through the weeds, tearing them up
with their breasts and hoois, aud sometimes
with only their head and snout above water, the
snort along, blowing like hippopotami, and
dragging with them tangled masses OF eras,
that cling around their horns and broad. black
noses But though generally under con troll
their original savagery will sometimes break ou
under great Irritation aud they will attack thei
drivers and trample them to death, II they cal
get at them. All along the outer walls OF Rom
at regular intervals, Iittle pens are rallied Of
with strong beams. " afford refuge to any pc
destrin, in case they may chano1 to meet
drove of huflaloes or oxen.
The hocks vi sheep on the Campagna, are es
timated to amount to some 100000. They ar
tended by shepherds who in their pointed hats
adorned with gay cords and tassels or the ey
OF pencock's feather-ther short Jacket q
undressed Sleeps wool-thelr breeches OF goat
skin with the long shaggy hair hanging abou
them-their skin sandals aud oiOei, lac cd owe
cloth under.leggings, which serve instead o
stockings, are the modern type of old Pan. A
their side they carry yellow gourd OF water
and in their pockets Is stuffed black wedge o
bread and lew onions 10 lunch upon. All da,
long, leaning upon their poles which they plan
diagonally before them. and spreading out thel
legs 80 as 70 form tripod, they stand watohin
tier herds, or gazing vacantly into the air, O
going last ASLEEP. great white OF tn
ST. Bernard breed always ace mpanics them
lie is as intelligent US his master, thorough
knows his business, and does oil the active duty
keeping guard over the sheep, driving them her
and there, preventing them iron straying, an
directing them IN oil their courses. So sayag
4
with a good stick IN ones excursions off th
main roads into the heart OF the Canpagna 10
in case the shepherd DO out OF tue way or asleep
they will instantly attack any one who NJ
proaohes too near the flock. The sheep follow
after the shepherd aud are not driven belor
him and at nlehtiall, alter his dog has gathers
them all together, lac leads them u their fold
1t Is picturesque sight TO see them, all flock
ing along over The Campagna, with he shepher
marching gravely ut Their head fhe Told whlc
is movable, and pitched now IN one spot an
now ia another, il made OF q network OF Irvine
stretched upon stakes planted al equal distance
in the ground, aud about three ieet IN height
IL is The same sheeplold as that which was use
in the Jears' time, and in an ancient bdsso r,
hero at luce Blundel Que OF these "retia ma
BE- seen inolOsing some goats and pigs. The don
tory Of the shepherd IS u rude eapdnHa, mad
of thick mattel straw aud sticks, Just hig
enough for hun to creep into on his hands an,
knees There On straw bedding, over whicI
he spreads his blanket he sleeps. Sometimes
an case there lre several shepherds, these capaaa
are butt into lofty cour, and here they cool
their lo5d and 1--we togethur ~ manner rude
than the American Indians. II you visit then
YOU vii lind the warm st hospitality, and a ma
tive courtesy aud good breeding, without loss q
independeuc, OF character, which no amount 0
oppression has been able 10 crush out Of them
They are very ignorant, but delighted to learn
and lock with wonder VA all you SAY. Cheer,
they know by name Julius ear Il an esiab
lshed lac' they are acquainted With 81. Ovid
and they swear BY Ba.cbusi but France, Amer
ica aud England are nowhere in their lima gina
tious. OF loon vaguely up cut OF the dls,anc
like missy ttcamlands. Rome is 10 them ID
world. tie Tiber the king Of rivers. and III
Gran $3.50 italia their iopmost llimalay peak
They are glad however, to hear that IN Engan'
'oEeysd Juno.