The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-09-27
A FORMER RESIDENT OF WICHITA IN
ITALY,
An INTERESTING LETTER FROM MISS PzRsIs
BELL

BELL.
Miss Persis Bell, sister of Mrs. w.
d. Russell, who it will be remembered
went to Europe over year ago to
prosecute her musical studies, writes
her sister long and highly entertain
ing letter from which we are permit
ted to make the following extracts:
CENoBBIo, ITALY, Aug, %, 1877.
Just think of it! Went to Switzer-
land last week-to attend picnic.
But it was only four miles from here,
at place named Chiasso. We went
in the cars, but returned on foot.
Left Cenobbia at five a. m. arriving
at Chiasso about six. Had very nico
dinner. Started for Cenobbio about
nine p. III. arriving there at half-past
ten. Chiasso is a beautiful place sur
rounded entirely by mountains. Just
in front of the cottage where we rest
ed, was the railway. Such funny lit
tie cars as they have here; so small;
like little boxes. Could put four of
them together and make but one of
our American cars. One has no COM
fort travelling in Europe. The pas
sengers sit face to face, with but one
window in each end of tho car. You
are obliged to stare in the face of your
vis-a-vis, whether you admire the per-
son or not. The roads are so rough.
My head was nearly joggled of my
shoulders. The house where we took
dinner was fine Swiss cottage, and
looked very picturesque with trees all
about it, nesting at the base of
great mountain. But for all its at
Effectiveness, | would not live in the
house for one week as | value my life.
Twas as damp, the floors had the APP
pearence of having just undergone the
scrubbing process. For one afternoon
it was delightful. In front of the
place rose mountain upon mountain.
We had very fine Wow Of Mt. Bisbi-
ma, the highest of all. Its summit is
crowned with church of venerable
age. Said to be six hundred years
old. Parties frequently go to the
summit for the superb view. Though
at the same time Gas there is always
displeasure with pleasure, and but a
step from the sublime to the ridicu-
lous) one is almost eaten alive with
flies and your Kansas housekeepcr's
abomination. Two such dreadful af-
flictions. Courage flies quickly, when
l think of undertaking the rest of the
trip. Fleas are so very common i'll
Italy. Every person is troubled with
the same disease. | assasinate doz-
ell daily. Think of this for 'Roman-
tic and Loved Italia" I'm sure if ev-
er should write book on my So
journ in "The Land of the Sun" l
should not forget to mention the
plaques. Writers never allude to |
them, and they certainly "Act well
their part" in the life of Italia. Sat-
urday, we leave for Madona del Mum
do, distant four hours ride,
where we shall remain until the last |
of September, then, return TO Milan.
The air, here, is not geod. All COM
plain of being unpleasantly affected
by it. At Madona del Mundo. the air
is cool aud invigoratiDg. Shall be
the mountains all day long
as it gives ne an opportunity of view
ing another part of Italy. 1 wish to
see as much as possible of it while
| am here. Am progressing in the
study of the language. Can under
stand all that is said to me, and some
Of the dialect that is like another Ian
guage SO different is it from the pure
Italian. / devote my time this year to
Inc study Of the vivlin, piano and sing
ng; also to Italian, French and Ger
nan. Next year study additionally
he harp, and Russian, Spanish and
Swedish. Shall speak huently, seven
languages, when three more years of
ny life have been spent in patient
study. One year will be sufficient for
Italian, French and German, as have
he opportunity of both speaking and
learing them spoken continually. /
an here settled for three years. study.
md can accomplish much in that time.
Tell Mr.. Murdock have not as yet
lad the pleasure of receiving the pa
yer he sent me- PERsIs BELL.