The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-14


waited hill sides dotted with houses; and
stretching far to the south is the broad cam
pagua. This is the most interesting place
about Turin, and with it close all l have
to say about the city. To morrow "De0
Volsnts" we 90 to Milan where we hope to
find letters from home. You must cross the
ocean to understand the JOY of good news
from a far country. 1 had intended to re
mark before closing, that the populations of
Genoa and Turin were evidently of much
better class than those of the cities of south
ern Italy. They are cleaner, better dressed
and more respectable looking, a larger and
finer race of people. There was decided
improvement in all these respects in Flor
ence, though in much less degree. l have
hardly seen beggar in the three days we
have spent in Turin.
AprI Isl Leaving Turin On the 29h,
we 0asssd throu D vast ?. =, green with
vegetation, chiefly wheat and grass. For
some miles Of the way the land was wet,
with many bitches to drain, and dykes to
protect it from the weather, SO arranged that
it could be flooded. Here they were pre-
pairing for a crop of rice Milan is the
second city of Italy in population, exceed
ing all but Naples The whole city is on
perfect level. No hills or mountains
near it, though the Alps are in view at
distance. From position above the dome
of the Cathedral, 26O feet highcl than the
street below, we had fine view of the whole
city. 1t is exceedingly we'll built, with fine
public buildings, churches, palaces, &c.
The Cathedral has magnificent exterior,
with q hundred turrets, four thousand FIVE
hundred statues, and lofty dome, with a
steeple whose apex is three hundred feet
above the level of the city. We ascended
three hundred and forty steps, and were still
some forty feet below the top. The interior
of the church is in fine architectural taste,
with heavy stone columns, but without much
ornamentation except about the affairs. I'm
derneath is the tomb of St. Carlo Boromea,
who is said to have been shot by bandit,
while kneeling at the altar. Here are some
very costly ornaments of an altar in solid
silver, representing scenes in the life of the
saint, one of them of the bandit with pis-
tOl aimed at the saint, who is kneeling at
the altar. In barracks near the outer
part of the city is the famous painting of
our Lords Supper with. his disciples, by Lee
onardo da Vinci Each of the disciples is
Enthusiastically represented. Judas is east
ly distinguished by his dark, villainOus ex-
preston Of cOuntenance.
There is palace of the King here, as in
all the large cities, through which We went
this morning. The furniture is, as usual,
magnificent, the public rooms very elegant,
especially those appropriated to the King,
and those of the Princess Marguerite, wife
of the heir apparent. In one of the bed
rooms we were shown the bed in which the
great Napoleon, and Napoleon III. slept.
There are several fne busts of Napoleon lie
grand, one of Victor Emanuel, and som,
others; some fine paintings and elaborate
works in Gobeline tapestry, representing
battles and other remarkable events. The
streets are vide, clean and well paved, with
many open squares. In one Of these il a
fine bronze statue of Count Cavour, who'is
Justly honored in all northern Italy. There
is a beautiful, large, public garden with
some animals, among them the finest giraffe
have ever seen. The animals, of course,
are confined, and the garden is laid off in
walks for the use of the public. Around
the city are fine bOulevards, afFording ex-
tensive drives for those who can enjoy that
luxury.
Milan is one of the finest cities in Italy.
As 1 remarked of Genoa and Turin, the
people here, and in all northern Italy, are
superior to those in the south.
The King pays great attention to military
affairs. All through Italy we have seen
soldiers under daily drill. The army numbers
three hundred thousand. Every man, when
he arrives at military age, as l am informed,
is required to serve term of years in the
army. How vigorously this requirement is
enforced, whether this large number of men
is withdrawn from the duties of civil life, /
am not informed. | omitted to mention a
large gallery of very fine paintings. The
most remarkable building at Milan s. the
Victor Emanuel gallery, not yet flushed.
Running through the middle is long,
arched gallery, two hundred or three hun
dred yards long, and fifty yards wide, COW
cred with glass. In the centre is large
dome, the base of which is even with the
top of the high, arched roof, and is encir.
cled with hundred gas-lights. On each
side are elegant stores and restaurants; the
whole is brilliantly lighted. We walked to
this place one moonlight night, and saw
thousands of people thrOnging the streets;
the gallery and restaurants were crowded
with respectable-loOking people.
LAKE LAGUNO, SWITZERLAND.
April Sd, 1878,
Leaving Milan yesterday morning, the
first half of the way very much resembled
the country between Turin and Milan al
ready described. In both, the verdure was
/ - 4 u II