St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-09-24

profusion Of flowers and the ladies and
gentlemen all wore white flannel suits
with red trimmings on the ladies dresses
and straw hats with red hatbands and
red necktcS Tor the gentlemen. In an
other the occupants even having pale
blue felt hats, quite evidently made to
order. for the occasion. One fine carriage
was entirely covered with white ca
melias: another with violets and gilt
butter flies even the wheels being filed in
solid with violets and butterflies. One
girl all alone in mammoth slipper made
OF violets and green, wore a nile green
dress with ribbons to match. A large
boat with an arch over it and two hunt
ing horns at the top had number Of
soldiers in it, and they had lots Of fun
and made everything lively wherever
they went. II is impossible to describe
the richness Of the scene or the utter
lollity and good nature Of everyone.
Though it seemed general holiday |
saw no one intoxicated. Weenteredint
the spirit Of the occasion and threw a
few bouquets from our station on the
walk and were pelted some, and one
charming creature in cart decorated
with white flowers exchanged bouquets
and sweet smile with us.
We returned to Genoa and bad a halt
day there and half day at Pisa. At
Rome we saw the finish Of the Roman
carnival-very interesting but not nearly
so fine nor 50 elegant as that at Nice.
More rowdyism though everyone still
good natured In the evening the pro-
cession with tranparepcies and floats
was fine One float evidently represent
ing the steps and entrance to a temple
and representatives, OF ancient Rome
senator in his toga-soldiers, soothsayers.
etc. At the close in the piazza del Popolo
fine fireworks. Then we went TO Naples
where we found Mr.. Stone again From
there we saw Pomptii one morning and
the same afternoon attempted The ascent
of Vesuvius but before reaching the sum
nit found ourselves enveloped in thick
mist which saturated our clothing and
we were assalled by cold piercing wind.
We could see only little dis ance ahead
OF us and finally we had to content our
selves with feeling the heat and smelling
the sulphur at a small opening some dis
lance from the top Next day the sum
init was covered with snow The follow
ing day we started in company with
some steamer acquaintance Tor Castela-
mare by rail and rom there drove to
Sorrenl o for lunch. We climbed up the
hill into beautiful garden where for a
small consideration we were allowed to
pick oranges and lemons We also
climbed to the top OF the old house and
had most magnificent view; saw the
artisans making the inaid wood work |
Tor which Sorrento is so famous and saw
a man weaving the silk web used Tor
making silk caps and purses. Later we
drove to Amafi in time tor lunch. The |
road tor great part OF the way is cut in
the rock winch is very steep, great part |
ot the way almost perpendicular and in
one or two places actually overhung the
road. There are also several tunnels. |
The road at times is over 400 ieet above |
t he Mediterranean and the eye wanders
from the magnificent crags and prccipices
out over the beautiful sea which con-
stantly changes color as the winds blow
or as the clouds cast their
shadows on it or the depth changes. At
Amalh we lunched at the Hotel Cap
pucne which was once a Capucin mon
astery and doubt not may be the very
one referred to by Longielow in his poem
Amalh." 1t is stuck on the side ot the
cliff about 200 ieet above the sea and is
a wonderfully quaint old place with a
landlord withgreat English si,ie whiskers
but an unmistakable Italian accent. We
did not see the cook but we love him Just
the same. ust after lunch it rained and
hailed and we were much disheartcned
but in half an hour it cleared and we Sc
cured new carriage and driver with
fresh three horse team and went mcrrilv
on by Minore, Maiore, and other pretty
little towns that either nestled in some
little gorge where stream oundits way
to the sea, or chung Tor dear life to the
side OF the cliff and left YOU wondering
why they did not slide into the sea, Just
as you wonder why the goats don't fall
oft the almost perpfndicular rocks you
see them climbing up, looking Tor pasture.
In several places we saw caves fitted up
for homes and probably several are now
so occupied. Surely one is for we saw
the smoke ascending and one little girl
just coming out and another staining
near At Vletri we turned our backs on
the Mediterranean and drove a few niles
up the valley to La Cava. where we had
dinner, and at Z 10 took train tor Naples.
We are now making a feeble effort to STE
some OF Rome. One needs a month lust
to get an idea OF what treasure house
the Eternal City is.
GEORGE HERBERT SMITH.
Rome, March 8, 1897.
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