The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-29
ELBA.


Thc Proposed Residence OF the Nephew of His
Uncie-A Sketch of the Island and It's His
tory.
| The report that reaches us by cable that the
bx-Emperor Napoleon III is about to change his
esidence from Wilhelmshohe to Elba, on ac-
count of his health requiring change of cl-
mate, Immediately suggests the idea that he pro-
poses, fan opportunity presents ITSELF to repeat
bne of the brilliant performances of his uncle.
This rumor again brings into notice the little
sland in the Mediterranean which is chiefly
famous for having been the residence OF the
great Napoleon after his first abdicatioD, and o
sketch of it will therefore be of interest at this
time.
The Island of Elba, which was called Iva by
he Romans and 4Ethalia by the Greeks belongs
% Tuscany, and it is separated from the Italian
peninsula by the Strait of Piombno. It's out
ines, although very irregular approach the
form of a triangle, and the coast. which is ele-
eated and steep, is indented by a number of deep
gulfs and inlets, some of which form excellent
harbors. The length of the island is about IS
miles and its greatest width 12 miles. 1t has an
area of about 97 square miles, and the population
numbers about 23, 600, of whom between 1000 and
000 are proprietors of the soil. 1t is exceedingly
mountainous, and some Of its peaks rise to the
height of 3000 feet above the level of tue sea.
She climate is temperate and healthy, except in
Eome low districts on the shore, aud the soil is
FERTILE although only a small portion of ii is
Under cultivation. The valleys abound in fruit
trees, but they are, as a general rule, not well
cultivated, and the fruits, with the
Exception of oranges, are of inferior
quality. Among. the annual products
pfl Elba are about 100000 gallons OF red and
white wine, 100000 pounds of marine salt,
1000 tons of tunnies, sardines, anchovies, and
Dther fish, and $4,000 tons of minerals, chiefly
ron, for which the island has always been cele-
brated. The iron mines are chiefly worked in
he neighborhood of Porto-Ferrario, the capital
md the manufactured iron and other minerals
re embarked at Follonica on the Gulf of Piom-
bino. There are quarries of granite in the south
east part OF the island, which appear to have
been extensively worked by the Romans. The
commercial relations of Elba are almost exclu-
ively with Leghorn aud Marseilles. It's imports
onsist chiefly of grain cattle, cheese, and
manufactured articles. A number of interesting
9ncient ruins are existing in various parts of
he island.
During the middle ages Elba was ruled by
various Italian princes and chiefs. In 154S the
Emperor Charles Y ceded the territory of Porto
Ferrario to Tuscany. Afterwards the island
Nas successively governed by Spain, Naples,
ana the lofus OF flOmDlno FROM July, lf3o, 10
april, 1891, it was in the possession of the Bri-
Ssh. 1t was then ceded TO France aud united
NTH the new kingdom of Etruria. The treaty
bf Paris in 1914 erected Elba into sovereignty
Tor Napoleon /, who resided there from May
1914, to February 26, 1916, when he embarked
rom the island with about 1000 men for France,
anded at Cannes, and marched triumphantly to
Paris. During his brief sovereignty Napoleon
Introduced many improvements, and caused a
good road to be built uniting Porto Carrajo with
Porto Longone, small fortress and harbor on
he cast coast. In 1915 Elba reverted to the
Grand Duke of Tuscany, and since the unifca-
lion of Italy it has belonged to that kingdom.