The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-07-29

to the left has been seen, and on the
other side the ledgy cliffs of Ana Capri
appear, while like a saddle-belt the
town of Capri girts the Island across TO
the opposite shore. This landing-place
is full of horses and donkeys and car
riages of every sort waiting to take
strangers in any of the different paths.
To Punta Tragara and over the steep
hills which in Tiberius time were peopled
with his nymphs, donkeys can only go.
At present these hills are only barren
rocks upon which there is scarcely soil
enough for vines to grow, while the
sides are covered are built up for the
vineyards, which afford labor to the in
dustrious people of this barren isle.
Tiberius Villa.
On the highest point of the Island
overlooking the sea, is the so-called
''Tiberius Villa and just behind it is
the retreat of the Tarantella dancers who
afford such great amusement to visitors,
remaining here for night The princl-
pal room of this old palace of one OF
Rome's celebrated emperors is now used
for cow shed. just before reaching
the Villa you pass the mythical rock
from which Tiberius is said to have
thrown his victims down, which in many
respects resembles the Tarpeian Rock at
Rome.
But Tiberius lacked no places to exer-
else the cruelty with which absolute
power had endowed character naturally
mild and peaceable and which led him to
use that power in committing deeds that
cast their shadow over the whole of the
latter portion of his in some respects,
most successful region. The whole con-
tour of the island is made up of abrupt
promontories overhanging the sea, SO
that from any of the twelve palaces con-
secrated to the s'Twelve Gods" all of
which were on the waters edge, in a tit
of anger or impotence, he could have at
any moment hurled his subjects forth.
This adaptation of natural forces amongst
his other qualities exhibits Tiberius anew
as the man of genius which everything
as whole showed him to be. To
travellers who can make a stay of several
days there are many things of special in
terest at Capri.
Sail Around the Island.
The circuit of the island in a row boat
is fine pastime for beautiful morning,
one being able also to pass under the
island through an arch made by the I'M
dermining Of the rocky bed. The sail
also affords an opportunity to visit q
green, red and yellow grotto, all of
which are inferior only in interest to that
of the Blue.
On this trip one passes the ruins of
other old palaces of Tiberius, some OF
which are now under the edge of the
water There is also palace of Au-
gustus, and an old nunnery, and the Pal
ace of Jupiter, to which Tiberius was
accustomed to retire when fortune low
cred.
Punta TragaFa.
One OF the most interesting excursions
with donkey is that to the Promontory
of Punta Tragara, past the town OF Capri,
the way in many places being up steep
stone steps, which in coming down seems
to reverse the old quotation, 'facilis
descensus," for on donkeY's back one
much prefers to go up than descend, es-
ton to the rein, but only notice the weird
gutteral sounds of these Capri peasant
women, who evidently understand Ian
guage in common with donkeys, since
the latter go right and left, back and for
ward, according as these sounds are kept
up or diminished, but when they cease
and the slashing of the whip in the direc-
ton of their legs stops for moment,
they lower their heads and commence
eating grass Meanwhile the women
become absorbed in the display of coral
ornaments, and often make themselves
quite obnoxious in their demands for you
to buy.
Fine Views.
The view from Puntr Tragara is most
delightful. A few feet ahead in the
ocean three precipitous cliffs called the
Faraglioni rise out of the water. One is
named Great Monk; on another is the
ruin of Roman villa and the third con-
tains Roman tomb.
Near here is the rock Polyphemus,
and far out to sea, from any of these
points, the view is most grand and pic
turesque.
The People.
The people of Capri are much superior
to any of those in the outlying districts
of Naples, the women and children be-
ing neat and clean and industrious. One
of the prettiest sights here is the appear
ance of the sweet young girls on the
street with spindle and distaff, which
they make use Of with great facility and
grace, spinning and weaving being the
principal occupation of the women on
| the island.
On the return trip, all is excitement
at the steamer about landing at Sorrento
and the getting home. The deck is fllled
with vendors of small wares, who always
demand twice the value of their goods,
and who never get but half their price.
| Their stock consists usually if real tor
toise shell combs, lorgnettes and coral
| ornaments of various descriptions and
olive wood boxes with secret springs.
These suburban trips about Naples are
some of the most enjoyable experiences
of the traveller, being. little fatiguing
and so different every way from sight
seeing in crowded streets and in long
studies among works of art. One feels
| indeed here that 1.-THE course of Nature
| is the Art of God"
Visit to Pompeii.
On my return from Capri, met some
German people in the vestibule of
the hotel, who were very curious
| about the sights in and about Ma
Piles. They said they would like
to go to Pompeii with me the follow
ing morning, and promised to be on hand
in time for an early train, which since
| the distances are SO great in Naples,
would necessitate our leaving the hotel
at very early hour. mention them
here since they SO curiously turned up at
| every point afterward. and proved very
amuSin0 in their crllde notions of travel