Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-08
HOME OF ITALY'S KING.
At San Rossore the Royal Family
Spend the Autumn Months.
From the London Globe.

From the London Globe.
San Rossore. where the italian royal fam
fly pass their autumn months. Is without
exception the most beautiful estate owned
by the House OF Savoy 1t extends from
Viarreggfo to Liyoruo. at the foot of the
Apaun Alps. combining the charm of tho
seashore with the attractions OF the noun
tains. Formerly 1t belonged to the arch
bishops OF Pisa. from whom the grand
dukes of Tuscany purchased 1t and made Il
state property. which explains how II was
in 1860, al the time of the annexation o;
Tuscany to the kingdom of Italy Il ranked
as one of the gems in the civil list of Victor
Emmanuel II. The grand dukes resided
there the greater part of the year, and one
Leopold III, built extensive farm houses
within which are numerous breeding ami
mails. About these farms are widespread
ing fields. where still horses. oxen. cows
sheep and buffalo Craze in peace. San Ros-
sore comprises also extensive cultivated
fertile lands: but the greater part OF E-and
its essential Characteristics the thickly
planted woodlands, which yield impor-
tant revenue from the sale of their pine
trees. In these woods game is most plenti-
full. while in the lakes. ponds and small
water fish At San Rossore one can In
dulge In almost any sport, for there are
wild boar. stays. reindeer, pheasants. par
tridges and almost every species of inland
water fowl.
OF all the curiosities at San Rossore, the
most curious, undoubtedly. are the camels
used for the purpose of removing the tim
Der These camels are not by any means
ordinary camels. They are historical CAM
els, and would be proud of IL were they con-
scious of IT. for it is said their ancestors
figured in the crusades. History tells us
that these animals were brought from Syria
to Pisa in galleys, which the Pisan repub-
lie had dispatched to the Holy Land for the
purpose of bringing back a load Of the mold
from the grave of Christ. 1t was supposed
that this mold had the popularity OF alb
sorbng the bodies buried in it. The Pisan5
Entrusted with the mission OF bringing 1t
over evidently thought that they could not
do better when Ii was shipped on board the
galleys than to embark as well the camels
which had been laden with It. These cam
els Were sent on to San Rossore. They
prospered and multiplied there, and It is
their descendants which used for the
purpose of shifting the timbers from the
royal demesne.
With regard to the dogs in the kennels at
San Rossore, every breed In use for sport
ing purpose has been perpetuated there.
from the remotest medieval times. They
have their hospital, as well as a small GEM
etery. with its accompanying tombstones.
on which are recorded the names OF the
dogs which had their feetlng hours of ce-
lebrty in the hunting field. With regard
TO the chateau itself. it is OF somAehat
modest appearance and dimensions. but II
contains numerous works of art of price
less value.
Victor Emmanuel II spent much of his
spare time at San Rossore between 1854 and
1S70-that is TO say, at the time when his
capital was at Florence and not at Rome
In 1868 the king became very Ill. and
so serious his condition that the
bishop of Pisa was sent for to hear his con-
fession The prelate came in haste. and
thought to profit by the opportunity TO ask
him TO make certain political concessions
"Eminence," said the king III you want to
speak about affairs of state you Will find
my ministers in the next room; oblge me
by going there"