Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-01-22

plCdSulSs 1uIOILud1Ou VI dug CODCI Oau5e,
must not fail to see Florence, to which
our adieu must now be made. / have
always wanted TO see old Pisa with its
tower and cathedral, SO turned
westward upon leaving Florence. The
road was near the Arno, now between
mountains and then in great plain.
Old castles, new villas, beautiful farms
are seen. The scenery IS often grand,
then tame, and then exquisitely lovely. /
don't know whether the Conductor failed
to call out s'Pisa," whether / failed to
understand him, or what was the matter !;
at any rate did not get out at Pisa, but
was carried on to what / afterwards
found to be Leghorn-a name that must
be used, 10 the absence of any other,
though it should offend the modesty of
some ladies who can't possibly bear to
hear the preacher read everything in the
Bible. These ladies are daughters, /
suppose, of the good old woman who
was afraid to use the word in question, as
tradition informs US. When the tram
came to permanent halt, and l could go
no farther, l left it. My luggage check
was given to porter, who, after long
search, reported no such number. l
made the search, with some unpleasant
results. My luggage was gone, money
near, for my companion still lCitered
with his fair friend in Rome Reader,
travelling is a good thing till, you have TO
feel as the writer felt. l don't know if
"spotted' was my feelings, but that quite
spotted my person would soon be l well
knew. All this time it was thought that
Pisa was my whereabouts. Finally it was
concluded to goto hotel and consult the
proprietor. The hotel chosen for Pisa was
asked for, and / was taken to one cor
responding to the name, or rather the dri-
yer not being able 10 understand me, drew
me TO one that pleased him. The
names did dot seem to agree, but
thinking it might be all the same in Ital-
ian, walked in. A few inquiries were
made, room given me, when still not
liking the signs, for no falling tow
er had been seen, the proprietor was
asked what city this was9 With rather
mean smile, implying ''you must be a
=" he replied, Leghorn. was
ashamed, angry, glad and grieved al in q
bunch. Well, one more city had been
seen than was bargained for, so the best
was to be made of it. There is nothing
of interest except the business, of which
the amount is considerable. / was not
allowed even the satisfaction of being in
the place where were made the bona tide
leghorn bonnets under which our grand
mothers used to look enticingly at our
grand-fsthers, for l learn these bennets
had been made in Pisa and elsewhere and
shipped from Leghorn. Coral gathering
is means of considerable trade in the
vicinity of Leghorn. l might have en-
desred myself to my lady friends by pur-
chasing some of the workmanship of
these industrious insects, but present
making is bad policy on general princi-
piles, and especially so in this case. On
my way back to Pisa the country was
found to be low and marshy, much of it
being uncul.ivsted for the want of drain
age. To see good land doing nothing was
quite novelty in Italy. A great trouble
with many travellers is a surfeit of inter-
esting sights. Under such constant press
ure and excitement the mind becomes
stupid and the senses dull. But in Leg
horn this was far from the case. The
thinking and seeing departments could
play Rip Van Wrinkle on small scale
with impunity.
When back in Pisa the luggage was all
right, SO l could enjoy my otium again.
The London Hotel was found to be good
one. The proprietor and his daughter,
young and lovely, spoke good English.
For time my ears had rest from the
gathering of the Italians. The way they
smash that precious letter &C" is fright
full. l have had to call it over often to
restore its lost rank. My landlord gave
me many items about Italian politics, etc.
He thought Victor would make a first
rate Eoglish, merry, frolickiDg fox hunt
er, but never would do for King. He
was too fond of women and something to
drink. | was told that the taxes are SO
francs en- the hundred. Italy, or any
other country, and l, would quite soon bid
lasting if not fond adieu at that rate,
The hotel man had republic on the
brain badly, an article that would soon
be on his back if be wanted to vote under
his own vine and fig tree. Pisa has her
walls still, but its only jim the nam e.
They are too close TO the city to be of
service. The river Arno is seen here
again, and, as at Florence, runs through
the city. The banks are steep and un-
attractive There is but one bridge,
making it quite troublesome to go from
one side to the other unless one happened
to meet the ferry on which a crossing
could be made for the sum of one cent.
Here an investment was made without let
or hindrsnce. 1t is right to say second
bridge on grand scale is being erected.
The town on the left bank is regular
Arab one, excepting the houses. The
LATEST, sleepiest, take-the- wOrld-easy
people had seen in a long time were
here. A flee, or a-or a fly, or all could
enjoy himself, according 10 his own no
ton. The style of dressing and cTrying
babies was quite new, except to an lndl-
an hunter. The little fellows are band
aged from top to bottom so as to look
more like chunk of wood than young
Calico. They are slung about the back
of the carrier in loose manner, some
thing after the style of a squaw. 1t is
curious to see the alabaster work, some OF
it is perfectly exquisite. All of the
famous ancient statues are reproduced IN
miniature, besides many modern works
and original ideas. / know of nothing
prettier than some of the representations
of Pliny's vase and doves. OF course,
the tower comes in for its share. The
tower is the lion of Piss, and is wei
worth seeing. 1t is a leaning institution
beyond doubt. By one stand
ing on the side opposite the direction in
which it leans bet would be made thai
it is falling. 1t has the appearance OF
having sunk on one side, thus causing it
present appearance. The material is Of
white marble. When l was ready to as
cenS, was told that one person could no
go alone, as long time ago somebody
was foolish enough TO commit suicide
from the top, which induced the city
fathers TO pass the law mentioned. IL