The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1900-03-02

which he urged us to enter. But time
pressed and we pushed on to the silk
works.
We were cordially received 10y the
superintendent, q woman, who took us
through the building, explaining every
detail of the process. We were first
shown into II large, barn-like room,
where were thousands of bright green
and yellow cocoons. The worms which
they contained were very busy eating
mulberry leaves, making curious.
crunching sound distinctly audible
when it was quiet. The greatest care,
we found, had to be taken at this stage,
for one dead worm will spoil the CO.
coons of all those near it, and it is nee
essary to give them plenty of light, air,
and food, and to make frequent exami-
nations of their condition. In the next
room tue cocoons were being dropped
into hot water, which kills the worm
and loosens the gum from the shell.
This sticky substance is a wise pro-
vision Of nature, as it causes the gossa-
mer strands which are drawn out from
the two minute oritices to unite in one
strong thread, which can be easily
wound in lengths OF five hundred yards.
| We went on from room to room, where
dark-eyed girls were carrying on the
various processes OF winding, cleaning,
spinning, doubling, and reeling, which
made the firm, even thread ready for
the loom.
This industry has been gong on in
Italy ever since A. D. 552, when the
| Emperor Justinian introduced the first
silk worms from the cast, and now, as
then. this little land eNcels all other
| European countries i'll the amount OF
its silk manufactures.
After examining the whole process,
we were cordially invited by the super
| intendeut to take rest and refreshment
in her apartments, which kindness we
| were forced to decline She showed us
| photograph OF her son, who was seek
ing his fortunes in the new world, and
for whose sake all Americans were
warmly welcomed at her home.
All this time our first friend had
been patiently waiting for us, and when
we left the silk works, he insisted upon
our stopping at his house His pretty
nieces received us in bright little par
lor and entertained US most charming
" with conversation and music, and
when we took our leave, presented us
with fl ,wers Our guide left us at the
cathedral, promising shortly to send us
carriage, for he was most anxious
that we should drive to villa few
miles from the city, where the night
ingales sang even in the day time. SO
after examining the wonderful silver
altar. the result of two centuries of de-
voted labor. with its multitude Of saints
standing row upon row in high relief,
and it's elaborately decorated panels,
each containing minute and exquis-
itely carved representation Of some in
cldent in Bible history, we drove out
from the noisy paved streets into the
quiet green country.
Nothing can be lovelier than Tus-
cany in June. The velvety green OF
the fields; the wonderful variety of
foliage, from the spreading chestnuts
to the dark and sombre Expresses; the
oraDeyincs trained from trunk TO trunk
and hanging in graceful trstoons, and
the deep blue of the distant hills M
bine to form wonderfully charming
Landscape The villa itself was in no
way remarkable, but it was buried in
deep grove, where even at MONDAY
the sunshine was dimmed 10y the thick
network of branches, ont of whose
depths the thrilling song of the night
ingalcs poured forth in wonderful
stream of melody. We sat long in the
green gloom, cnthrallcd 10y the d,.licious
music, and at last turned city wards,
refreshed i'll mind and body.
A After luncheon we visited the muni-
cipal palace, and having thus exhausted
Bacdeker's list of Pistoia sights, with
still an hour or two on our hands, we
looked about for new woll IS to con.
qucr. 1t was afternoon, and siesta
time. People were seeking the shelter
| Of thick walled houses. The market
place was almost deserted Only a few
struggling groups loitercd in the
streets The time-honorcd rule Of
when in doubt. play trumps, seemed
TO us in Tuscany in June to run thus:
Nv hen in doubt, eat cherries, for no
where else are cherries SO large, so
sweet, 5, luscious. and SO onniprescnt.
a hagful was soon secured, and we sat
down on the steps of the Oil Palazzo
del Podesta AMI leisurely frasteI to
our great satisfaction. Every now and
then, a passer-by would pause and look
at us in surprise, and then, with a
friendly salutation, move on; but pres
emily woman approached, and with
the charm of manner which belongs to
even the lowest classes in northern
Italy, addressed us:
1T dis pleases me" she said, ito see
foreigners expose themselves to the sun
at this season. They run great risk