The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-19
NOTES from EUROPE.


was Win me, en- route LOT L aTISs IAUOul ten
o'clock it cleared up and for an hour or two
we had delightful ride along the coast of the
Mediterranean, the sea being very rough from
the effects of the storm Of the previous even
ing Passing several fine looking old fortified
and castelated buildings on points projecting
out into the sea, we arrived at Civita Vecchia,
a fortified town, with poor harbor, at |, Pm.
and Immediately embarked on the French
steamer Pausilppi, which, having been de-
tanned the previous night by the storm beyond
her usual time, was now waiting in the harbor
for our train. Having undergone the usual
scrutiny of our trunks, merely raising the top
and tray and looking in, and the unusual
scrutiny of our passports, we hurried on board
and steamed out of the harbor at half past 2.
The sea was still very rough and quite
breeze was blowing, but the sun shone bright.
", and although little chilly, nearly every
body remained on deck until called below by
qualns of conscience, or at clock, the din
ner bell.
After dinner some of us returned to the
deck where we witnessed the most beautiful
sunset. but by dark every one was willing to
60 below, as the wind had risen, and the lit
tie steamer was pitching violently.
| confess that l went down stairs fearing
very much that was going to have verita-
BILE attack of the nialdemer,'' but having
laid down on one of the seats in the cabin
for half an hour, arose quite myself again.
All the passengers retired very early, but the
pitching OF the vessel prevented sleep until
towards morning. when we anchored in the
harhor of Leghorn. ltook tram at 9. a. NJ.
for Pisa. my baggage going through to Flor
ence. An hours ride brought me to Pisa, a
town of about 10000 inhabitants, the guide
book saws. but / should think there were
many more. 1t formerly had 10000, but
since the death of the Republic of Pisa, it has
gradually fallen off in population. 1t is sit
uated on both sides of the Arno, has a wall
around it, and is much cleaner than Italian
cities usually are. The streets, too, are
wider and the houses not so high, so that !
was much pleased with the appearance Of the
place.
Having run the gauntlet of about fifty
"valets place, who were determined TO
guide me over the city, | finally got away
from them and made my way to the cathedral,
large AID beautiful structure. situated inthe
northern Part of the city. near the wall, with
more open. ground around ii than is usually
found in Italian cities, and in which are also
the baptistery and leaning tower. The ca,he.
dral is beautiful, being built Indifferent color
ed marbles, but the exterior is so cut up into
small arches and designs as not to be very
effective. The baptlstery. also, is very beau
ttni, both the exterior and interior, and has
the most beautiful echo | ever heard, the
sound gradually ascending into the dome,
which Is a hundred and sixty feet high. very
like the notes Of an organ gradually expiring.
Lhe leaning tower, the great attraction to
tourists, fully came up TO my expectations.
1t Is beautiful tower in itself, and well
worthy OF a visit, even wereit not for the at
traction OF ITS great peculiarly. its inclination.
1t IS hity feet III diameter, and one hundred
and ninety feet high, and inclines fifteen feet
from the perpendicular. My first application
TOR permission to ascend it was refused. as one
has TO be ot party OF three, at least, to be
allowed to make the ascent. This rule arises
it is said, from the fact that some persons on
looking over the side to which the tower
leans, and seeing nothing under them. expo
renee the sensation that they are falling to
such degree as to be irresistibly impeled To
jump over. did not hear that any one had
ever actually tried very hardto do it, but only
fear 1t may be done. In my cruise around the
NANtNh anu ohptiStcits it4i III Win d parry
of American sailors from the United States
frigate Colorado. lying at Leghorn, and in
company with them | went to the top Of the
tower, where we had a magnificent view of
the town and surrounding country One of
the sailors. not satisfied with the elevation we
had attained, climbed TO the top of the light.
ming rod. straight rod of iron about an inch
and ahalf in diameter, which rises without
any side supports to the height of fifteen feet
above the tower.
Having descended, returned to the depot. |
visiting very, pretty. little church BY the way,
and having obtained a light lunch at hotel
near the depot. | started on train at one
O'Clock for Florence, and reached here
about 4. P. NJ. | stopped at the Hotel de- !
Grand Bretagne, but did not like it. and the
next morning removed TO ar English boarding
house, where | got n comfortable room and
good board for eight francs a day
Florence, surnamed Ia Belle, is, think, +
well worthy the appellation, being not only
the most beautiful city in itself. in ltaly, but
also one of the most beautifully situated
towns ever saw
The Arno, beautiful stream about rs wide
as the Des Moines, divides it about equally. /
and is spanned by several fine bridges. One
of them is entirely built up on both sides with
jewellers shops. in which may be seen as
extensive assortments OF jewelry rs in any
part of Europe. One of them. built about
three hundred years ago, was for long time
supposed to be unsafe for carriages. owing to
the fatness of the arches. they being only
thirteen feet high, but this bridge is now used
IN common with the others, and has stood
longer than any Of them
The Apprentices almost surround the CITY.
being however quite low on the south side.
with one of the highest peaks, Monte
Marel!o, in view to the north The Arno
makes its exit to the west through n narrow
pass called La Galtoiina.
A great part of this little ''park', in tho
mountains, called the valley Of Florence. i
very level rich land and at times subject 10
overflow in places. The valley is abouttbirtv
miles long and in placesten miles wide.
but is quite narrow where the city is built.
some of the hills being inside the walls The
hills and knobs in the vicinity are covered
with The palaces aud villas of the mobiles and
rich men of this place, and in fact of many
others, as this is favorite winter resort for
the reh of all nations. From these palaces
magnincent views are obtained of Florence,
the saAey, ahd the mountains, many of the
suihmlts OF winch are still covered with
snow, ihough here roses are in blossom.
ana Inc neius are IN some places, covered
WITH ofight req tulips and poppies. AS the
private grounds are generally surrounded by
high walls, it is not easy TO get good views
OF them when quite close TO them. so tb,t
the drives are not as pleasant as manv W. ~
America; but there are many points Of inter.
est to visit in the vicinity and fine views arc
obtained from many places on the road as
one ascends the surrounding hills. have
been to the convent of La Certoya in Val.
dema, the house and observatory ne Cal,lao