The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-07-19
WRITES OF ANCIENT CITY.
Senator Latimer Tells of Reception by
King-Visits Cotton Mill and
Travels on Apian Way.
(1reenyille News.

GrSeuE1lle News.
Geneva, Switzerland, July 2, 1907.
Mr.. Editor: In my last letter stat
ed that we were leaving Palermo tor
Naples. We took boat from the for
mer place at 7.30 p. M, reaching
Naples the next morning, leaving Mr.
Bennet at Palermo to return along
the north side Of the island Of Stella
to Messina, and then to investigate
conditions in Calabria and Baslllca'
On our arrival at Naples we gathered
our baggage and proceeded to Rome.
where an audience had been arranged
with the king and with the minister OF
agriculture and commerce.
Our reception by the king was very
pleasant. He spoke English fluently'
and we found him we'll posted with
regard to conditions in the United
States. He had considerable know
ledge of the climatic conditions, as
we'll as of the crops grown in the d1f-
ferent sections Of our country, and de-
plored the fact that most Of the ltal-
ian immigrants to the United States
are settling in the cities instead OF 60
ing to the rural districts and engag-
ing in agricultural pursuits: with
which they are familiar. He refer
red to the fact that the criminal elas-
ses in Italy predcminate IN the e1-
ties. as in the United States, adding
that the peasants made better eltlz-
ems for us than those who come from
the cities.
The disposition of the king [ found
to be that of plain, unassuming man.
It was easy to see that be was averse
to pomp and glamour and the usual
trappings Of royalty, and in his con-
yersation with US he evinced a deep
interest in the welfare Of the COM
mon people. It is customary when
apbbaehing the king during an aud
+snce to make three bows; one on
entering the door, the other two While
drawing near him; but in our case
Immediately after We had made our
bow on entering the door he came Tor
ward and shook hands. The conversa-
ton went along in an easy and lntor-
nal manner for about an hour, touch
inc upon the comparative condition OF
the peasants Of this country and our
farming classes, as well as the pro-
ducts of the farm, the amount OF land
cultivated and the remuneration OF
the laboring man..
After our audience with the king
we visited the minister Of agriculture
and commerce. It was necessary to
have the services Of an interpreter, as
he knew no English. We found him
thoroughly. posted on agricultural mat
ters, and he agreed to furnish an
swers to a list Of questions that we
left with him. Mr.. Rossi, one Of the
Italian commissioners Of emigration
was very courteous to US and gave us
great deal of information. in regard
to- the whole subject. We gathered
from these officials that Italy is a
GREAT deal more prosperous than it was
EIGHT to ten years ago, and that the
people here are sharing somewhat IN
the prosperous condition that pre-
walls in the United States.
While in Rome we could not fail. to
observe on every hand the RUNS OF
the ancient city. There was abund-
ant evidence of it's early richness and
greatness-of the times when Rome
was mistress Of the world-the mag
nifcent Coliseum, the palaces OF the
old emperors, the forum and the ia.
nous Apian Way, the military road
built by the Romans more than two
thousand years ago. This road was
once lined with beautiful palaces and
villas and tombs all the way from
Rome to Naples, but now there IS Is
nothing but ruins all along the road
This road, by the way, has been con, ao
stantly in use for upwards Of 2,ooO
wears and is in fine condition today
showing in spots the old Roman meth
cd Of paving, and the country ad'
Joining the road is now used only fo1
farms and pasture lands. >,
While at Rome the commission heio
q meetine and decided to divide the
territory, giving to Messrs. Bennet
and Howell Greece, Turkey, Smyrna