The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-04-10
Draining the Campagna.

nnm q troublesome person. He promised
a great deal of trouble to the kingdom, and
under the advice Of the Kings Cabinet he
adroitly took measures to enlist the agitator
In the enterprise of redeeming the suburbs
and adjacent country Of Rome from pestl'
,epce. The Hing followed the wise example
of the dwellers near volcano who seek 10
direct the currents of lava fowing doWn the
mountain so that they will do the least bar IN
to the people and premises near its BASE
GARrBALpr caught the impulse beautifully,
and it is delightful to read his ardent letters
describing what be expects to do for the
Campsgua. A labor so much better for him
than that Of breeding Disturbances.
Around Rome the country is poisoned
with the vapors that rise from the staSnah
lakes and watery lands that are oVerho" ed
by the torrents that sweep down the Vol'cian
mountains towards the Tber, and by the
Tiber also, which is liable to sudden fooos
from the heavy falls of water in the storm
which occur 10 that region.
These lakes are, some Of them, supposed 10
be mouths of extinct volcanoes, and Others
are basins, deep washed by the floods. They
have no outlets, and the waters in them gen.
crate the most poisonous vapors. The re-
gion is richly marked by signs OF fertility
The carpets of verdure. adorned with the
gayest flowers, show that the tiller Of the
soil would be gratefully remunerated for
his labors. But such is the unhealthiness OF
the country chat he cannot remain 10 it long
enough to turn his art to account.
Still. such is the frutfulne5s Of the Cam.
pagna that man ventures to stretch out bis
period of labor therein until, trenching upon
the most pestlential season, the mor'all'y
becomes so great there that all baVe TO ny.
IT, 49, ~ surneio Tor human beings IN
the region worth calling homes. The pea
SAINTS, tending the grapes or herding cattle,
sleep in caves or frail huts, and vast numbers
sleep ia the open air. From their dewy
beds they often rise with raging ferers. and
are carried TO the nearest shelter to pay the
forfeit of their indiscretion in Drawing the
fearful perils Of the locality. At the season
when finally all are driven from the deadly
Canpagna the villages on the heights, and
Rome itself, become filled with unemployed
dc pendants that acquire the name Of LaZza-
roni, of whom the travellers say so much.
A region so rich and yet so deadly is an
object that excites the deepest interest of
scientific and humane people. It's redeDp.
ton would confer unreasonable happiness
upon the people of Rome. Plans are now
on foot toaccomplish this great work. There
is much ,contrariety Of opinion about il.
;GARIBALD1 evidently has not matured his
own schemes. He is consulting with emf.
nent engineers. He seems to be welded to 4
plan for Strengthening the Tiber i'll its
crooks about.Rome. But other distinguished
persons appear TO distrust that eXpedien.
The Prince ToaLoNIA-Wheerer he is--a few
years since drained the lake FueinEs, which
was upon his property, and thus acquired
from TIE water Eorty-two thousand acres Of
arabic knd, whick is now upied by twenty
thousand we'll housed and Industrious PEG.
pie. This example gives great stimulus to
the enterprises on foot, and the Prince is
earnestly ssconding the work Of GARIBAS4DI
and the engineers.
The Campsgna has been the object of con.
slant Interest with the, popes and other rulers /
of Italy during the greater part of ase Chris I
tan era. Some men a. acquiremeEts have
thought that the colonization of the Cam
pagua by dense population would esrquer
The Ilague fiend and make life thece en-
during. They see med to have had vague
dea that large poy pulation. could absorb the
poisoned air-that il g sub-dAYision among so
many would render lit harmless. So absGrd
IN idea never met more than q partial favor,
md the plague has possessed the land with
,ut serious opposition.
The numerous plans that have been
ormed from time to time have all fallen
through, mainly FROM successive political
troubles, ich have 80 frequently disturbed
he classic soil of Italy.
Now, it appears that the best judgments
have settled down IN favor Of pumping out
The lakes or filling them up, AID ditchiEg the
ands. Drainage is now the settled point.