Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-30
HOME OF A MONARCH.
Estate of the King of Italy and Its
Treasures.
From the London Globe.

From the LONDON GioDe.
San Rossore. where the Italian royal
family pass their autumn months, is,
without exception, the most beautiful
estate owned by the house of Savoy 1t
extends from Viarreggio to Livorno, at
the foot of the Apuan Alps, combining
the charm of the seashore with the at
fractions of the mountains. Formerly 1t
belonged to the archbishops of Pisa, from
whom the grand dukes of Tuscany plT-
chased II and made 1t state property.
which explains how it was that In 1850,
al the time of the annexation of Tuscany
to the kingdom of Italy. it ranked as one
of the gems in the civil list of Victor EN-
manuel ii. The grand dukes resided there
the greater part of the year, and one
Leopold II, built extensive farmhouses,
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
RosSore comprises also extensive Guilt
waited fertile lands; but the greater part
o. it--aud that is its essential character
istic-is the thickly planted woodlands
which yield an important revenue from
the sale of its pine trees. In these woods
game is most plentiful, while in the lakes
ponds and small streams there Is any
quantity of fresh water fish. AT San Ros-
sore one can indulge in almost any sport
for there are wild boar, stays, reindeer
DheaSanIS, ,
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 timber. These cameis are not by any
means ordinary camels. They are historical
camels and would be proud OF 1t were
they conscious of 1t. for 1t Is said their
anc estors figured in the crusades. HIS
tory tells us that these animals were
brought from Syria to Pisa in galleys
which the Pisan republic had dispatched
to the Holy Land for the purpose OF
bringing back load OF the mold from
the grave of Christ. 1t was supposed that
this mold had the popularity OF absorb
ing the bodies buried in 1t. The Plsans
intrusted with the mission of bringing 1T
over evidently thought that they coulo
not do better when 1t was shipped on
board the galleys than to embark as Wen
the camels which had been laden with It.
These camels were sent on to san Kos
sore They prospered and multiplied there
and 1t is their descendants when are
used for the purpose or shiItlhs the tim-
Der from the royal demesne.
| With regard to the dogs in the kennels
| at San RoSsore, every breed IN use LOT
sporting purposes has been perPetudleo
| there from the remotest medlaeVai times
They have their hospital, as wen as
| small cemetery, with its accompanying
| COMMISSIONERS on which are recorded the
| names of the dogs which mao thelr nee,
| ing hours of celebrity in the hunting
| field With regard to the chateau itself,
| /, is of somewhat modest appearance and
| dimensions, but it contains numerous
| works of art of priceless value
| Victor Emmanuel III spent much OF ms
| spare time at San Rossore between 1864
| and lST0-that is to say. at the time
| when his capital was at Florence and not
at Rome. In 1865 the king became very
| hi and so serious was his condition that
| the bishop of Pisa was sent for to hear
| his confession. The prelate came in haste
and thought to profit by the opportunity
| to ask him to make certain political con-
| cessions. "Eminence," said the king, IF
| Won want to speak about affairs of state
| YOU will find my ministers in the next
| room: oblige me by going there.