Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-06-04
Travel Notes In Europe.

do not think you can be more surprised at re
cciving this letter with the post mark 'Firenze,
than | should have been foity-eight hours ago
had l been told my mo. s. would be writer
here. The controlling causes which led me on
will explain as proceed in the jonrnal-like ac
count OF myself and my Journey. My last CLOSED
a week ago, at Strasburg-a week In which have
seen more, done more, and enjoyed more than il
oil the time have been in Europe. / have been
may truly say. liring on Jeaaty,-but will moi
anticipate.
After mailing my letter in Strasburg, went Il
sec the wonderful clock 70 through its perform
ances ut noon, and left for lSasle ON the 12.4i
train; Arriving IL the evening went To tho
"Willc Mann" Hotel. remained there Il dny
From l'asle to Luccrnc, passing Lake Lcmpacl
and the battle field where Winkclfied distinguish
I'd himself five hundred years ago. reached
Ltccrnc in SO furious storm of rain. was glad
enough to get in the omnibus of the Wage
Hotel" The next morning, April 2Sth, drew
my window curtains with beating heart, but
found to my great delight, despite my expecta-
tions, (reasoDable us they were, for It rains ali
the time here y it was really clear and beautiful
day, the only clouds to be seen we've those which
formed the cap of Mount Pilatus, whose form
rose white and grand before me on the right
while on the left the Rig shone with the first rays
of sunlight, and so under fayoring skies saw
the mountains of Switzerland. That day "did'
Lucerne its lions, including "The Lion" In
the afternoon / was on my winding way down
Lake Lucernc on the little steamer, "Stadt
Mailand."
AT Fluclen was forced to remain over night.
Next morning was in the diligence on my road
TO the 81. Gothard. We passed through Altorf,
and close by the Market Place, where / saw the
Statue and The Fountain, which mark the rcspcc-
tive places where William Tell and his son stood
during the celebrated shooting.
About mile below the "Devils Bridge" we
reached the snow line, and were dumped out of
the diligence and Into miserable uncomfortable
slcdges, and again commenced our ascent. 1t
was very cold, the snow lying from five to fifty
feet in depth. Once owing To the negligence Of
the driver, my slcdgc was tipped over, giving me
such n spraincd eouldcr, that my arm was near
ly useless for several days, beside giving me most
intense pain. torgayc tho fellow, however, for
some time after, while descending the other side
OF the mountain, II was owing only to his pres
ence of mind, agility and strength, that we were
saved from taking head over heels plunge over
precipicc of, well, spare your nerves, and will
not give the number oil feet, but it was sererdt in
depth!
At s o'clock We emerged from the snow, and
us, and we wound down the moutain side, reach
Ing Ariolo in an hour and u half after Then we
had most lovely ride through beautiful scenery
till 11-30 o'clock, when we reached Bellingena,
our journeys end. During the short space OF
hall day, saw three different seasons the soft
rain of Spring, after leaving Fluelen, all the
enchanting (a) beauties of Winter, m the noun
tain, and the nagnifcance of an Italian Summer
On the 30.h, was in the diligence again on
my way to Magadina, where we connected with
the boat, "Ticinta' ut 80, and enjoyed u love-
ly sail down the lake, delightful warm and
pleasant day adding its charms.
At Aroma we asain made close connection with
the train for Genoa, where we arrived ut mid
night.
The 1st of May was devoted to "Ia Supcrba :,
which ia ut. prth Inv nf ln I ~,
the American Consul, very pleasant, gentle
manly man, and saw at his Office the registered
names OF countrymen, one family from Wor-
cester, Massachusetts,.
In the evening, having passed most enjoyable
day among the sights, sounds and (must say it)
smells Of Genoa, engaged one Of the 'gay gon-
doliers," lounging at the water-side, to take me
Italia vapore Messina.n On board I met an
American, who has been living in Paris the past
year, and after due consultation we both deter
horn, as had been my previous plan, but to di-
verge to Florence and see the festivities which
are going on, in celebration of the marriage of
the Grown Prince. Il had taken passage for Leg
horn intending to &c to Rome by the Shore Rail
way.) Imust not omit to mention the beautiful
view of Genoa by moonlight as we glided out Of
harbor, and to sea.
The I'd Of May we were moored In the Porto
Moro of Lcghorn; took n boat and landing at
the Custom House, were searched. BY great ey-
ertion we caught the O'Clock train for Pisa.
There we breakfastcd. twenty-five minutes later,
and as there was nothing of moment going ON in
Florence we concluded to do" Pisa, and did
very thoroughly. Went to the top of the Lean
ing Tower to the Cathedral; saw the great bronze
lamp, which first called Galico's attention to the
Pendulum; the Baptistry, Campo Santo, etc.,
ETC., so that when we took the 7.30 train for
Florence. there was really nothing of interest in
Pisa which we had not seen, that is that we could
find.
In two hours we reached "La Belle Fierenzi,"
aud went to the g Hotel de Ia Grandc Bretagne,"
where we have pleasant rooms, high up to be
sure, but overlooking the Arno, and that part Of
the town which lies on its left bank. To-day
shall call on your friend, Powers, and do not
doubt that he will help me to much sight seeing
should otherwise lose. cannot tell you how
glad am that came, even ii l do not see Flor
ence again. would rather get even such u su-
perficial glance as shall now have. than to miss
the Festivities. which do not occur more than
once in life time, on such II scale. Florence is
now In Its . Sunday-gO-to-inecting-d Flags
wave from every house; all the statues, bridges,
&c, are wreathed with green and flowers great
baskets of flowers are hanging across many of
the streets, and every Forentinc is out, evidently
bent on enjoying him or herself to the utmost.
| do not suppose it is like the carnival, but it
gives good idea OF the gay part of Italian life.
May 4th. made second attempt to call on
Mr.. Powers, to-day he was AT work In his Stu
dio, but he took time to speak to me for mo-
ment, gave me most cordial welcome, and the
hours OF the day when he is at home and dsenga-
ged He begged me to come for a long talk
about you and America. His assistant handed
inc your letter, which was greatly pleased and
lstonished to receive, not expecting to be here
before the first week in June; another reward
for my changed plans Blessed be he who bring
eth good tidings from the "tar conntrie."
My course may be still further altered by the
fact that European travelling is u much more ex-
pensive affair than supposed when left home
aud this Will have its influence more or less in de-
termining my route and stay at various points.
One thing is certain, to travel abroad cheapy,
very cheapy, is possible, but altogether nconsis-
tent with what we look upon as respectdJiiity, and
we all have prejudice against giving that up. !
have had less trouble, but more expense than
looked for, SO far. But l have enjoyed myself
Thoroughly, and fancy no one ever saw more in
the places l have visited, unless they remained
five times as long. But l cannot truthfully say
to those making arrangements TO .tcome over
that one can "savc money" by doing SO!
But to return 10 yesterday. After my unsuc-
ccssiul attempt to pay my respects to Mr.Powers
my new acquaintance and myself went to the
Cathedral, Baptistry, and churches of st. Marco
and Annunziata. BY the way he must be n Trim
itarian, ms on my expressing my horror at what
consider sacrilege the attempt to represent in
painting or sculpture, the Almighty, he asked me
II thought there was anything out of the way
in representation Of Christ. replied, "No,
suiity Nciiy uc NshGut WIcTc llcS
the difference? What is it ?" And truly enough,
what is 1t TO them2 Nothing! y Is
But to return to the sights of which began to
tell you.
AT o'clock the Corso took place. consisting
OF grand walk around" "a drive would be-
more proper,) by the Court and High Panjau-
drums. Very imposing it was-rnuch gold and
silver; fat coachinen and tall footmcn. We saw
the "happy couplc'-the Prince Humbert and
Princess Marguerte-(slc is quite pretty, at least
for an ltalian) the Crown Prince Of Prussia and
various other dignitaries. The King did not
make his appearance, and all have seen OF him
is his statue in the Cascine. large equestrian one
OF doubtful merit
Last night there was a grand display of fire.
works on the Arno, temporary bridge being
thrown across for the purpose, above the Iron
Bridge. From our windows we had good view
of the whole performance, without being crowd
ed and jostled in the dense mass of humanity
which filled the Lungo Arno, ari the bridges as
far as the eye could reach. We have several days
of the fun before us. On Wednesday there oc-
ours the ''grand Tournament" in the Ancient
Medieval style, and if nothing of interest is
promised for Thursday we shall leave for Rome
on that morning. DELAWARE.