Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-23
l1pREp RuSSELI's LETTER


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Especial correspondence o. the ps>i~sch-l
florEL DEs ANuLArs,
NrcE, March %. 1888.
From Genoa our way lay along the
RIsiers. on the western shore Of the
eulf, which has something Of the same
character az the eastern part, except
that Il il moro luxuriant 10 vegetation,
/ villas are more frequeat, and, as we
proceed. fashionable seaside towns fol-
low quickly en- one another. Aitcr
going about thirty miles there was
magnificent view OF the gulf As Jar
hack ~ Genoa. The water lay bathed
n kunehine, not a cloud was IN the SKY,
end she distant town. reduced to mere
sptekIed mass Of light aud shade,
seemed the presiding genius OF the ex-
ouisite scene. Next came ancient tow
ers, villages perched on rocks, olive
groves. paim-trees, vineyards, and
few old chateaux, oil looking to-
wards the eyer-sunlit, widespread
inx sea. AL Of the Riviera towns
are alike. in possessing advantages
Of climate, shore-promenades, and
beautiful landscape, but each has a
peculiarly Of position and attractions
Of It's own, and knowing how tempting
these attractions must be as winter en-
joyments 70 poor mortals weary OF
dwelling amid ice and snow and slush.
Ia loud in proclaiming them or getting
them proclaimed by others. San Reno
lies in the centre Of hollow hill re-
semblipg half q huge bowl: olive-trees.
palms. expresses, and pines diversity it,
and the Alps form solid and protect
ing background TO 1t. The eastern part
IL recommended to consumptiye and
bronchial patents, and the western to
those who need dry and stimulating
air. Bordijhera, one Of the les'' fash
ionabiy crowded Of the watering-Elaces
on the Riviera, is very suitable Tor
those persons who wish for comparative
+, quiet and a country life withous the
dullness that so often accompanies 1t.
ABOUT PALMS.
From the backgrounds there is a
view which includes the bay of Venti-
miglia, Mentone, and Monaco, and end
less clusters Of palms. The cultivation
ofpalm-trees is assiduously carried on
at Bordijhera, as it supplies Rome with
palms for the Easter professions, and is
very proud Of this privilege, obtained
for it, it is said, by one Of its sailors.
The huge obelisk now in front Of st. Pc
ter's, Rome, was being removed from
Its original position amid the silenceen-
Joined on the assembled multitude un-
der severe penalties during the car
rying out Of this difficult I'M
dertsking. The sailor, seeing no
allowance had been made for the great
strain on the ropes, and knowing the
threatened danger, shouted out that
water must be put on them, and in graf
itude for ayerting catastrophe he and
his family were rewarded by Sixtus V.
with permission to supply palms from
his native place, permission still en-
joyed by his descendants. More poeti-
cal and romantic but less real associa-
tions are connected with the country be-
tween Bordijbera and Ventimiglia.
three miles away, as it is the scene of
the opening chapters Of Rufiini's charm
ing novel, "Dr. Antonio" and the ex-
act spot is shown where the carriage
accident happened and tine lovers made
each others acquaintance.
BEAUTIFUL NEIeHBoRHooD.
A more beautiful neighborhood could
scarcely have been selected than this
part Of the Corniche road, as it is called,
and it Ia difficult to convey more than
the fsintest shadow Of its loneliness,
which casts q spell over everything
near. Even the prosaic custom-house,
suffered with equanimity for its tedious
waiting, is relieved by the retrospect
and discussion Of the scenery we have
enjoyed and the looking forward TO
what is coming. Some Of our fellow
travellers occupy our attention, too.
They have an air which puzzles
MS at first. Some Of them give
keen, flrtive glsnces around them,
others are self-absorbed, others ex-
cited. At last we remember we
are near the celebrated gambling
place Monte Carlo, and our curiosity
becomes more alert than ever. Leav-
ing the custom-house and Ventimiglia,
we are soon at Mentone, and this latter
town, il visited in fine weather, leaves
the impression Of a Paradise especially
laid out for blase mundane tastes that
need the choicest of everything to graft
~ them; and conscious Of her powers
to please, Mentone recommends herself
to all. Rocks jut out and divide the
silvery blue bay into east and west
parts. The rising ground is happy
arrangement Of promenades, villas, ho-
tells, and gardens, and orange and
lemon groves, fg-trees, and oliye-trees
nestle in every possible spot.
MONTE CARLO.
Monte Carlo looks like enchanted
fairy-land from the railway. Palm
trees stand out conspicuously from the
ether foliage which literally embowers
the place, and give II an air of .nticine
grace. This place needs no recon.
mendaticn, as old and young, rich ant
poor, good and bad, find their way tc
It as naturally as birds to their nests,
Monaco, the station which follows next
forms one place with Monte Carlo, anC
10 built on q rock projecting boldly ant
for some distance into the sea, so tina
its houses have uninterrupted view 0
the beautiful, billy ground, and thu
abundant vegetation reaching to thu
water's edge. Nice, our refuge and habi
tation for time, is the princess Of watcr
ing-places, for any one who wishes Il
have the delights and rccreations Of Paris
the continuous roar Of waves not to-
furious. and the eyer-varying tints Of
zee often sapphire, turquoise. gorgeou
purple, or sheeny soft pale. blue. I'll
town Is situated on Angels bay, sroun
which run the wide Boulevard du Mid
and the Promenade des Anglai'
emitting these two Is the Public Gar
den, where band plays two hours i