The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-01-27
COUNTRY HOME OF ROYALTY.
Eotatc Of King Of Italy Near Pisa and
Some Of Its Treasures.

some OF us treasures.
In few days, when the Queen OF
Italy feels well enough to bear the
train Ct the journey, the royal fam
will leave the chateau of Rae
conigi, where they have spent the
summer in the mild climate of Pied
mont for that Of San Rossore, near
Pisa, where they will spend the au-
tumn in the bracing atmosphere of
maritime Tuscany.
San Rossore is, without exception,
the most beautiful estate owned by
the House of Savoy 1t extends from
Viareggio to Livorno, at the foot OF
the Apaun Alps, combining the charm
of the seashore with the attractions
of the mountains Formerly it be-
longed to the Archbishops of Pisa,
from whom the Grand Dukes of Tus-
cany purchased it and made it state
property, which explains how 1t was
that in 1860, at the time of the annex
alton of Tuscany to the Kingdom Of
Italy, it ranked as one of the gems in
The Grand Duke resides there the
greater part of the year, and one,
Leopold H., built extensive farm
houses, 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 com
prises also extensive cultivated fertile
lands; but the greater part of it-and
that is it's essential characteristics
it's 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 Rossore one can indulge IN
almost any kind Of sport, for there are
wild boar, stays, reindeer, pheasants,
cartridges and almost every species
of inland water fowl
OF all the curiosities at San Ros-
sore the most curious, undoubtedly,
are the camels used for the purpose
of removing the timber. These cam
els 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 an
cestors figured in the Crusades. His
tory tells us that these animals were
brought from Syria to Pisa in galleys
which the Pisan republic had des
patched to the Holy Land for the pur-
pose of bringing back load of the
mould from the grave of Christ. 1t
was supposed that this mould had the
popularity of absorbing the bodies
buried in it. The Pisans intrusted
with the mission of bringing it over
evidently thought that they could not
do better when it was shipped on
board the galleys than to embark as
wellthe camels which had been laden
with it. These camels were sent on to
San Rossore. They prespered and multi
piled there, and it is their descend
ants which are used for the purpose
OF shifting the timber from the royal
demesne.
With regard to the dogs in the ken
mel at San Rossore, every breed in
use for sporting purposes has been
perpetuated there, from the arenotest
medieval times. They have their
hospital as we'll as a small cemetery,
with it's accompanying tombstones, on
which are recorded the names of the
dogs who had their fieeting hours of
celebrity in the hunting field. With
regard to the chateau itself, it is of
somewhat modest appearance and di-
but it contains numerous
works of art of priceless value.
Victor Emmanuel II. spent much of
his spare time at San Rossore between
1864 and 1870, that is to say, at the
time when his capital was at Florence
and not at Rome. In 1868 the King
became very i'll there, and so serious
was 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 oppor.
Lunity to ask him to make certain
political concessions. "Eminence,"
said the King, "if you want to speak
about affairs of state you will find my
ministers in the next room; oblige
ne by going there. London Globe.