Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-12-23
HOME OF lTALY'S KING.
At San ROssOre the Royal Family
Spend the Autumn Months.


San Rossore, where the Italian roy
al family pass their autumn months,
is, without exception, the most beauti-
full estate owned by the house Of Sa-
voy. 1t extends from Viarreggio to
Livorno, at the foot Of the Apuan Alps,
combining the charm of the seashore
with the attractions of the mountains,
says the London Globe. Formerly it
belonged to the archbishops of Pisa,
from whom the Grand Dukes Of Tus-
cany purchased it and made it State
property, which explains how it was
that in 1860, at the time Of the annexa-
ton of Tuscany to the kingdom Of
Italy, it 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, Leo
pold H., built extensive farmhouses,
within which are numerous breeding
animals. About these farms are wide
spreading fields, where still horses,
oxen, cows, sheep and buffalo Craze in
peace. San Rossore comprises also ex-
tensive cultivated fertile lands; but the
greater part of it-and that is it's es-
sential CHARACTERISTICS the thickly
planted woodlands, which yield an i'm
portant revenue from the sale of it's
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. Al San
Rossore one can indulge in almost any
sport, for there are wild boar, stays,
reindeer, pheasants, cartridges and al
most 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 remov-
ing the timber. These camels are not
by any means ordinary camels. They
are historical camels, and would be
proud of it were they conscious 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 re-
public had dispatched to the Holy
Land for the purpose Of bringing back
a load Of mold from the grave of
had the popularity of absorbing bodies
buried in it. The PiSans intrusted with
the mission of bringing it over evil
IDENTITY thought that they could not do
better when it was shipped on board
the galleys than to embark as we'll as
the camels which had been laden with
it. These camels were sent on to San
Rossore. They prospered and multi
piled there, and it is their descendants
which are used for the purpose Of
shifting the timbers from the royal
demesne.
With regard to the dogs in the ken
nels at San Rossore, every breed in
use for sporting purposes has been
perpetuated there, from the remotest
medieval times. They have their hos
pital, as we'll as small cemetery,
with it's accompanying tombstones, on
which are recorded the names of the
dogs which had their fleeing hours
of celebrity in the hunting field. With
regard to the chateau itself, it is of
somewhat modest appearance and di-
mansions, but it contains numerous
works Of art Of priceless value.
Victor Emmanuel II. spent much of
his spare time at San Rossore. be-
tween 1864 and 1S7O-that is to saw at
the time when his capital was at Flor
ence and not at Rome. In 1868 the
King became very i'll, and so serious
was his condition that the bishop of
Pisa was sent for to hear his confess
sion. The prelate came in haste and
thought to profit by the opportunity
to ask him to make certain political
concessions. "Eminence," said the
King, IF you want to speak about af
fairs of state, you will find my minis
tiers in the next room; oblige ME by
going there"