Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-24


of the boat. This is a trifle un-
having our heads knocked off, as the
boatman grasps a rope, waits until
the wave is sinking, then gives a quick
pull, and We bound into the blue light
of the grotto. something after the
fashion of shooting the shutes at
Coney Island One man succeeded in
giving his passengers a thorough
drenching, as a wave broke over the
boat before he was able TO get them
out of its reach. Sometimes the water
gets rough while parties are exploring
the cave and they are obliged to wait
for the sea to subside. Every boat
carries provisions for several days,
as the only way of entrance or exit is
the small opening through which we
came. There We're many obs and
| EXPLANATIONS of delight, as the boats
| made the circuit of fairy-land. The
sides and top Of the rock look blue,
from the refracted light on the water,
and the effect on the faces of the
people is very strange. Objects in the
water have silvery appearance, and
the brilliantly colored sea stars and
| jelly fish add to the variety.
1t is surprising how many best
| places there are in Europe, but
| Sorrento is surely one of them. The
rocky coast of the Bay has as many
villas and hotels of unfamiliar archi-
lecture. The view from the verandas
passes description Of the ordinary in
dividual but doubtless somewhere in
I,l,.x g SCR n
may be found fitting word picture
Of the beautiful scene. as outlined
! from the tower window Of his study,
or the broad piazza of his villa. Being
great admirer of Mr.. Crawford 5
novels. it was Il disappointment that
our short visit at this place was dur
ing his absence One of my cherished
souvenirs, however, is a personal note
from the author, which gave me the
privilege of visiting Villa Crawford
situated on the cliffs, close to the Bay,
and to wander about the delightful
grounds and gardens, with their great
trees, rustic seats and artistic foun-
tains.
The ride of twenty miles which we
took in the cool of the day, is ideal. 1t
extends over a road hewn in the cliffs,
winding along the Bay of Salerno
with terraces on the slopes. planted
with vines. olives, lemon and fruit
trees. AS we drive along. we come to
little villages, with massive watch
towers and red-roofed houses o;
Moorish architecture. In the distance
we can see the great cliffs on point
of land we are soon to reach. and
| yNin
ture of mountain, sea and sheer rock
At intervals, a road house, or an I'M
| proViSed tree shaded booth, is a con-
venient stopping place, so the driver
| thinks, and we refresh ourselves with
lemonade. or whatever we may choose
If the lemons on hand do not suit us
the woman in waiting, with many
CALCULATIONS and gestures, goes into
+, the garden and picks an apronful for
/ our selection. Little children come
/ pattering along behind US. They have
funny claw-like salute and say
"Addio," or Guide bye" and Othef
| English words they have caught from
tourists. Sometimes they run a lone
way and if somebody throws them d
penny, show the pleasure by turning
| SOmerSaults.
In the early evening we arrive at an
old, suppressed" monastery in Amalfi
which is now hotel. perhaps the
most unusual one in Italy. A climb OF
some length. up steep, stone steps
| brings us to our resting place for the
night The building stands in the
| hollow Of a rock. which rises abruptly
from the sea to a height of two
ITO,
a pergola. where luscious looking
punches Of grapes hang tantalizingly
| down, our dinner is served, and we
descend many steps, and go through
long winding corridors, passing pic
Il turesque cloisters on the way, till we
find our rooms, in the former cells OF
Il the monks. The sound of the waves
Il against the cliffs far below, call to us
Il to come out on the balcony, and we
L hasten to obey. looking off across the
water. light here and there twinklins
i in the darkness. We seem to have
Il drifted back into the twelfth century
II and stand in story-book country, If
a romantic, dreamy land, far. very far
Il removed from practical New England
/ Italy has a manner of quietly creeping
H into our hearts and taking up resi-
dence there, before we realize it. 1t is
kipling who says:
II When YOU hear the East a'callin
II Then you won't hear nuthin' else,
II No. you won't hear nuthin else.
II But Italy has Il way Of 'callin." also
h The great ocean liner with its near
II ly two thousand passengers. was jus,
II beginning to breathe and stretch itself
Il preparatory to starting on its two
weeks journey along the Mediter-
ranean and across the Atlantic. The
/ signal of "all ashore" had sounded
We were waving guide bye" to oul
| Naples acquaintance, who had come
out on a launch to wish us happy
home journey. The vendors of cora
and souvenirs were wrapping up then
wares to leave, the band was playing
"Addio, Napoli" Most of US stood
taking a last look at the city We hat
enjoyed so much. Our old friend
Vesuvius, looked very docile in red
dish. brown garb. with vapor like
smoke issuing from his mouth.
must be hard to be always looked upon
with suspicion. We gazed off TOWARD