The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-10-04
Letter From Italy.
Correspondence of the Journal.

LEGHoEN, Sept. 6, 1877
MIR. EDIToE Finding myself in this city, and
upon my arrival meeting with somc captains from
your vicinity, write this letter. thinking it may
interest some of your readers 1t is an old saving
that one never knows thing until he learns it
and you may judge Of my surprise when, upon
looking in my guide book where were the places
Livournc and Lvorno, but no Leghorn, to find
that had been here almost day before knew
that was Ill that city Of Leghorn of which had
heard ever since my remembrance The thing
looks very plain. | had come all the way on Il
French steamer | had not heard the mention of
Lcghorn and it had slipped from mc-if ever
knewit-that Livorno is the Italian name, Lvourno
the French and Leghorn the English name for the
same place.
This city does not offer many attractions to
a sight seer However. should one chance to
be here he will find it very easy to go to Pisa,
distance of about fifteen miles where is that
leaning tower, picture of which every lad who
has ever studied philosophy perhaps may renem-
bel Also little distance from Pisa, perhaps for
ty miles, is Florence the "Athens of Italy" with
its fine buildings magnificent churches. It's clean
pavements and beautiful drives.
But | see am wandering a little too far from
Leghorn, 50 return. The harbor Of this place is
one of the finest on the Mediterranean coast 1t
is wholly artificial with an immense breakwater in
the form of aselnl circle, either end OF which has
a large light house Nineteen miles from here
towards the west towers up ont of the the isl
and Of Gorgona, its height and abruptness remind
on of punin nUhnrn El-a # 4 hos
on this sea contains the representations OF all Ia
tons The crowd that pushes aloug the street is
formed of all clements, italian, English, French
American, Greek and Moor.
Sailing to and fro in the harbor one hears voices
which he can define only as strange Here and there
are boats manned by government officers perring
into each passing boat to detect any eontrabund
articles. So strict Of these governmental
rules that am told one is not allow ed even a gill
of salt, brought in Il vessel. to be used on board
Government licenses the sale OF salt and protects
to the uttermost its salt merchants And il seems
as though this protection was carried to a GREAT dc
gree when one learns that it is prohibited under Il
heavy penalty to take paltll of water from the
dock, fearing that the salt MIGHT be converted in
to use Last Friday the American Consul NJ
Berchardt, died. His funeral took place Saturday,
The |. 5. ship Gettysburg being in port, detach
ment Of sailors marines and officers also some
American captains and merchants escorted the re-
mains to the grave.
Capt Jones, of the John G. Smith. left the first
of the week, bound for Boston, Capt. Pendleton.
Of the Henry Knight, is now discharging, soon to
load again with marble for New York One secs
but few American vessels in these foreign ports
compared with what there ought 10 be but pardon
the pride, American masters get credit here, us
elsewhere for energy, skill and intelligence.
The weather here for the past three days has
been delightful Ashore from five to eight in the
afternoon. every one comes out into the good cool
Of the day We were amused the other day by a
little Irritation between one of our number and a
native of the town. Every one who has been in
Italy remembers its beggars-their dSconsoate
dcsolate and mourntul faces and also their persis
tency. Walking along the other day, We were ac-
costed by an old woman whose face seemed as
though she had never seen a happy day She re
quested aims, but sgntcd that had moth
ing to give. She was persistent. Soon one of our
number turning about with mnch politencss offer
ed the old lady his arm. 1t was complete sur
prise. She Joined with the rest Of lis in laughter
The woetul face left her, the wrinkles yielded their
| hard look. and | do think she was amply repaid.
! 1t WAS the first time that ever a victim made his
torlurer smile-the first time ever profes
siona beggar laugh.