Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-24


waters subsided, and those opposed to the
Gulf Lyons said the fact that We were in
the Gulf of Genoa accounted for the change
for the better There was enjoyment in
looking upon the southern shore of France.
The grim mountains, with clusters of white
houses that, according to appearances, were
built on the edge of the water, seemed to
rise from it like exhaIations; in fact, they
are at considerable elevation. Nice was
an attraction, and Cannes, Mentone, Mon
AGO, followed, and after a time, when we
had touched Italian waters, San Reno.
1t was surprise to see the mountains so
close to the sea, and the slopes, that have
such q sunny fame, so meager. Above the
range of white towers were snowy dots,
that are the villas that great folks occupy,
upon the theory that this air always has in
it in the months of frost the balm of sum-
mer
The Beauty of Genoa
And soon Genoa was revealed; mountains
showed their peaks, and shoulders, and
breasts through the vapor, and the white
ness was resolved into vast structures whose
color was that OF the marble of Italy, The
breakwaters are exceedingly massive; the
lighthouse lofty; the ships numerous; and
Genoa is still The Superb. The splendid
word has belonged in all descriptions of her
for many centuries, and she is not likely to
lose it
The landing was, as all landings are,
tedious, and to some extent ve1atious 1t
is the hour Of Importance for stewards and
custom house officers, and above all for the
silent figures in cooked hats, wrapped in
cloaks, who posed in the most heoric man
ner and did nothing for anybody. These
stately persons must represent the dignity
of the grand old land SO burdened with his
tory, and that is politically new country.
Dealing with men who speak neither
English nor French, nor yet German, is a
sad task for the Average American; but
patience as to time and willingness to dis
pense small coins will work wonders. 1 am
informed that the custom house officials are
not wholly insensible to the influences of
civilization, and some of them consented,
upon being confronted with material argu-
ments, to allow the trunks to pass unopened
Dwelling in Marble Halls.
At once the admirable pavements of
Genoa are manifest. They are solid as ab-
solute beds of rocks, and the chances are
they have not been disturbed in hundreds
of years The streets are very narrow
There are few sidewalks; and the pavements
are cleaner than the fronts of the houses
In the hotel one could appropriately dream
ofdwelling in marble halls. The floors and
stairways are marble, some of it very hand
sonely wrought.
The elevator was singular sort of
chariot, looking like Sedan chair The
conductor did not ride in it, but was boy
in red jacket and brass buttons who pulled
lever and stopped it at the right place.
The rooms were as if hewn in rock; and the
French style Of things were noted; no gas;
no electricity in the rooms, only can
dies OF incredibly small power; no soap;
beds so narrow as to afford no great contrast
with the berths of ship So singular is
the adjustment of the beds and clothing
that getting up in the middle of the night
and remaking the alleged bed must be g GER
emony all strangers are expected to observe
One longs for the broad beds of the Liver
pool hotels They are Gf one may be al
lowed twist OF expression) broader than
they are long.
Genoa's Great Commercial Activity.
Genoa is the chief commercial citv of
Italy, does five times the business of the
more populous Naples; has improved great
ly within this generation; has good water
and is in its administration marked by en-
ergy and high intelligence. Perhaps she
has not yet seen the days of her greatest
commercial prosperity. Her history ex-
tends from the Crusades to the Holy Sep
ulchre to the GaribaIdi expedition-the cru
sade that liberated the two Sicilies and pre-
pared for the unity of Italy.
The arrival of the Fulda was IN event |
that greatly interested the Genoese. One |
hundred and thirty passengers from Amer |
lea disturbed the even tenor of matters and |
things. The table d'hotes of the CITY were |
lively, and we Fulds 70 ks thought we made |
stir in the streets. 1t is possible, though, |
(upon rehection), that we did not stir the |
city from center to circumference as much |
as we thought we did !
The Genoese are much concerned about |
our Worlds Fair, and it appears they are to |
hold one of their own, beginning the first of |
next June, and lasting five months. The |
two palaces of highest historical distinction |
(next to that of the Dorias), the Red and |
White, are to be connected by bridges, and |
the Municipal Hall is to be Joined TO these, |
and the ancient antiquities are to be dis |
played. There are tons of rare old silver |
locked up for generations, and relics of all |
sorts of the old davs to be brought forth. 1t |
is said there are great treasures to be made |
known to the world
Some Facts About Columbus
The Columbus house belongs to the State, |
and. has been closed long time. The first |
story is boarded up. 1t is to be restored to |
the condition it was in when Columbus lived |
there. and the relics of the man and his |
family, and his portraits so far as possible, |
are to be collected and shown in the old |
place. This house is the one thing that is
authentic. 1t is not claimed that this house |
was the birthplace of Columbus, but he un.
doubtedly lived in it when a boy and young
man. The records show that it was in pos
session of the father of Columbus for MANY
years, and up to the time when the great
navigator was 35 years of age. The street
on which this historic house is situated is so
narrow and steep that only handcarts and
persons on foot traverse it. The street does
not seem TO be more than 10 feet in width,
and the houses are nearly 100 feet high,
with an astonishing array of what we call
Venetian blinds hanging at various angles.
On one side of the Columbus house is a
tobacco mandatory; on the other, a choco-
late store; opposite wine shop. The
place swarms with people. The house itself
is dingv, and bears abundant evidence of
age and neglect. Upon this pavement, be-
tween these walls, in this canyon of houses,