The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-05-06

part of the cathedral, which was designed
by Michael Angelo.
We left Rome with regret, realizing
the truth of the statement made by Mrs.
Craig that ten years residence in the
Eternal City" would give but super
fetal knowledge of its history and points
of interest.
We hasten over the trip to Amalfi,
Capri and Sorrento, with their many
charms, but fattering ourselves that we
were favored in having delightful wealth
err to sail into the far-famed "Blue
Grotto" and to climb the steep, narrow
steps to the little town of Sorrento,
which hangs over the sea, with its per-
golas and shrines high in air and where
one can truly live in utter forgetfulness
of haste and care.
We entered Naples under guidance of
our president upon beautiful moonlight
night and were very soon aware of its
grandeur, said to be its principal char
acteristic. We gained better idea of
the city and its people Immediately, be-
cause former visit had made our guide
familiar with it's many attractions, and
all the splendor and fashion of Naples
ute to its natural beauty, its fine edifces,
no portion of it unappreciated
We have left little time to recount
visit to one Of the most strangely fasci-
mating portions of our itinerary, the trip
with Miss Dunton to Pompeii and Her
culaneum, ''for nowhere else can one
so step back into the past leaving cen
fury on century behind and bring himself
into intimate relations with the earliest
decade of our era" We were given a
most impressive view Of the underground
darkness of Herculaneum, where only
bits of villa, temple or theatre can be
seen, and where everything is disjointed.
Pompeii, which differs so essentially
from all other places, was oppressive in
its sombreness, and mere allusion to the
many interesting objects would lead too
far, but as we stand and gaze upon the
whole or upon any of its splendid parts,
one cannot help feeling of wonder at
the vast wealth, the boundless luxuri-
ance of this city, seen nearly as it was
more than eighteen centuries ago, with
so much perfectly preserved. Then with
the ever present dread of the mysterious,
awful mountain, it is, too, surprising that
there are those with courage enough to
live upon it's sides and at its feet.
We ale nearing the end of our trip, and
much to our visit to Sicily, yet who but
Mrs. Shaw could have taken us through
and around this fertile island of the Med
iterranean in so short time, showing us
many points of interest and making its
past history so entertaining, leaving tc
Mrs. Small the duty of conducting us
through picturesque Palermo, the capita
city. A short but delightful sail to Sar-
DINA with Mrs. Sibley at the helm ends
the tour of 10000.
Today we are in our own country, anC
the subject demanding our attention is a
vital one, yet we are certain that it is in
the hands of one thoroughly competent
to treat it cleverly. 1t is surely an ap-
propriate time now to consider it when
the warm spring winds and the smell OF
the bursting buds, together with the sill
very ripple that comes thrilling through
the air to us from our first song birds, re-
minding us that the home of many of our
sweet throated friends is in the forest
tree.
The year closes auspicicusly. We lay
aside our winter occupations and pleas
ures and with our faces set toward beau
tiful, happy summer days, recall much
that has been beneficial in broadening
and frightening as we'll as relaxing the
the tense lines of routine life.
We have held IA meetings, with an
average attendance of Is. Gentlemen's
night was observed January 18th at the
home of Mrs. Amos Clement, and was
voted one of the most successful, as well
as enjoyable, in the history of the club.
The meeting February 23rd with the
President was made delightful special
occasion, fully reported on our records
and in the public press.
The "Field Day" at ''The Barracks"
TContinued on Page 3.