The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1888-02-09

tCommunicated)
For some timo va have been sailing Ger
the unlntfied bosom of the Mediterranean
sea. II is a beautiful sheet of water, which
has been plowcd by many a keel as far back
as history can inform u.s. 1t is from 20 to
200 feeth in depth, and is well located to do
the principal traffic between Europe and
Africa.
An enormous quantity Of water flows into
the Mediterranean sea, for half dozen
European rivers contribute to it, and the At
lantic ocean also discharges its waters into
this sea. And yet, owing to the hot, dry
winds which sweep across from the sandy
wastes of Africa, the evaporation is very
great and keeps the sea from Overlooking its
banks. This should teach us that even nature
abhors a surplus. l would rather be road
plaster Of good yacht on the Mediterranean
than to live upstairs in New York
We visited Milan not long ago. 1t is an
inland town whose southern wall is washed
by the Olona river, Otherwise the place is
entirely unlaundered. Milan, pronounced
Me-laun by bearing down hard on the last
syllable, is q railroad center in northern
Italy. 1t is eight miles in circumference and
has ramparts around it. Milan points with
pride to her ramparts. l often think that
New York would invite more visitors from
abroad if she had better line of ramparts.
The architecture Of Milan embraces many
types, but good deal of it is medieval, with
a roof OF the same. Florence, however, has
some palaces that are mediHvaler than those
of Milan, I think. Milan used to have 24O
churches, but III of them did not pay and
were suppressed hy Maria Theresa and
Joseph II. Since that other churches that
were doing we'll few centuries ago have
ceased to attract, and now there are not over
eighty out of the original 2l0, and they have
no trouble doing the whole business 1 could
have purchased a controlling interest in
three churches here for 81. The cathedral
at Milan is first rate in every respect and is
doing well. | sometimes think that it is
foolish for other churches to try to compete
with cathedral They may sncceed for q
while, but sooner OF later they will have to
acknowledge that they cannot keepit up.
Everywhere We go we find the Caucasian
yace in the ascendant. ! sometimes think
that the blood Of the Caucasian is more
largely red and has a wider circulation than
any other But this is deviation from
what was saying.
The newer streets Of Naples are quite
pretty, and extend several miles out beyond
The town. like those Of Fargo, d. T., where
sidewalks several hundred miles in extent
were built at the expense of the county. In
this WAY Fargo had sidewalks that extended
for miles in every direction through the
neighhoring farms, and the county paid for
them. Fargo has been striving ever since to
live ND to her sidewalks. Aside from this
there is little similarity between Naples and
Fargo The old streets of Naples are mar
row and crooked, and the houses are 50 high
that ripe ponegranate dropped from the
roof on the plug hat of a passing tourist is
pernanertly impaired and the hat pros
trated.
Naples claims TO be the leading la22aroni
yinevard of the world We try to initiate
her in New York, but We fail We have
poverty enough in New York and fluent, ex-
tcmporaneous bcggars as well as more or less
disease, but we have not been able so far to
mite our poverty and disease in such way
as to successfully initiate the picturesque
lazzseroni of the east Our poor people in
America are too robust and our invalids are
too MANY Of them wealthy So long as it is
that way Europe and Asia will do our laz-
yaroni business in spite Of all we can do to
prevent t.
We can get up fair specimen to look at,
hut it lacks age and the air of travel as well
as the pleasing malformations peculiar to the
lazzaroni bijouterie of the old world.
sometimes talink that the reason Naples Sc
long retained her supremacy over other cities
In this line was largely due to the stimula'
ton resulting from the close competition ba
tween Vesuvius and the local talent Of the
lazzaroni in the matter of eruptions.
The population of Naples is nearly 500, ,OOo
but the annual rainfall | have been unable
to obtain. If can find out IN time will
send it IN my next letter. If you wish tf
send me the money for this piece and hod
the article till can ascertain what the rain
fall is Won may do SO. j. G,
The foregoing is written In such a plato
straightforward way, and contains so nu.
information, that l am in doubt whether Nv
Gould wrote it OF not, but possibly he has
been taking something for his memory
Whether he has dope SO or NOT, it is safe K
say that he has been taking something, Th!
only way to keep Mr.. Gould from taking
something is to nail it firmly to the floor.
In printing tho letter do it to help Mr.
Gould, and wish to stats that do not hold
myself responsible for any of the statements
made therein. Bill Nye in New York World