The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-07
CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from Italy.
TURIN, Nov. 10th,


MeSSrS. Editors, s,-There are three
sublimities in nature, Niagara Falls, the
Ocean, and the Alps The Falls of Nj
agara impress one with the sublimity ot
their power, the Ocean with its infni-
tude-but the Alps leave forever the re-
collection of towering and restful gran
deur The passage of the Alps from
Switzerland to Italy, reveals the progress
of civilization. At Mont Gents we read
the record of the several steps in this adj
vance, craven as they are, inefaceably on
the mountain-side. At no very remote
period Mont Gents was assembled only by
chairmen and mules. The RamaSSe was
used in descending from the highest
point on the road to Lanslebourg. The
traveller was compelled to submit him
self to the skill of guide whose feet
acted as helm in directing the light
ramasse along the snow, which by one
false movement might be precipitated
into the abyss. The journey of five miles
was thus made in seven minutes. After
wards came Napoleon the Fist, who re-
quired better roads for his great military
movements. 1t was necessary to make a
way through these mountains not only
for foot-passengers, but for every sort of
carriage. The Simplon surpasses the
greatest works of the Romans. The
chain of the Alps was burst with gun
powder. Hannibal and Bernard the
uncle of Charlemagne, had crossed the
Alps before Napoleon, but none of these
great conquerors initiated him in any
undertaking by which Switzerland might
be united to Italy. In the palace of Ma
polean at Paris, we noted that every
article was removed by the Republican
authorities which could recall the great
Emperor. Europe would have. to be
blotted out of existence as well as France,
to efface the "reminiscences of Napoleon.
Not only on the bloody battlefelds of
Europe, but on the legal codes, the art
treasures, the civil life, the internal i'm
provements, yea, on the Alps themselves
he has left the eternal impress of his
name After the Simplon came
The Mont Gents Tunnel
by which the Alps were pierced and
Italy was forever linked to France. We
accomplished the distance or kilometres)
In thirty minutes. Tame enough is the
travellers passage through this wonder OF
the world. Inaugurated in August 1857,
it was opened for use September, 1871,
just fourteen years and fifteen millions OF
dollars having been consumed in its con-
struction. Issuing from the tunnel our
conductor, the nearest resemblance we
had to AcBates, called out, Italy Italy
Italy.
This word echoed through our hearts
which beat with an emotion akin to that
of the companions Of Aeneas-a senti-
ment which we doubt not is felt by every
artistic nature at first sight of this classic
land. Our first impression of Italy, does
the reader impatiently inquire? We an
swer that our first impression Of Italy
was very small donkey, with outrage
ously big and stufy paniers on each side
OF his back, and the driver trudging be-
hind. We fear this is an insight into the
present condition of Italy rather than an
impression. Italy has not gotten beyond
the epoch of the donkey as yet. The age
Of steam has not fairly dawned, while the
electrical era is In the dim and distant
future. Emerging from the mountain
country which is less wooded and pic
turesque on the Italian side, we traversec
the beautiful plain Of Piedmont. The
change from the mountain cliffs, the
silent woods, and rushing torrents, tx
the rich lowlands, is very absolute
There is not spot in it uncultivated
Every part is covered with vegetation
orchards are mingled with vines, anC
meadows with cornfelds-all the gifts o
fruitful nature are lavished most luxu
riiously, which delight the eye and re
Joice the senses. Yet on every hand i
the token that Italy has scarce begun t
shake off the grave-clothes with whicl