Putnam patriot., 1912-09-20
LaprI.-an Appreciation


 The Mediterranean was at it's bluest as we boarded the tiny uncomfortable, looking boat for Capri, everyone was in holiday mood, however, and noth- ing mattered.
 Some stroiling musicians played their mandolins and guitars and sang the ever-charming If hackneyed san, ta Lucia" and "So le Mic" while one iovial fat gentleman could hardly con tain his exuberance of spirits as he treated us to the "Maid of Spain and "Bella Napoli'
 There was, of course, the usual dis play of shell and coral, besides boxes of Sorrento wood, to tempt the unini- tiated traveller. 1 fell into the trap immediately and although my more experienced companions urged me to wait until got to Sorrento, simply could not resist the charm of red box, which proved to be perpetual hui. sauce until we were reunited 10 our trunks a week later.
 Before long Capri, the gem of the Mediterranean, appeared on the hori- zan. Words fail to suggest it's beauty to those who have never seen it, while To those blest mortals who have, what ever you say seems inadequate. The much discussed color of the water alone is beyond belief. Even little oil painting 1 purchased on the spot, which without artistic merit was at least absolutely true to nature in color ing, now seen i'll the cold, clear light of our American atmosphere, appears foolishly and theatrically oNefdone The fact Is, no matter what tale ot blue water you are told, you may be sure your informant, fl he errs at all, Is not doing the subject justice then, near the shore you see wonderful translu- cent green shades, suggestive ol poetry, music, first love, or any other roman tic thing that comes to your mind. It seems a pity to wait moment before landing on the eneh anted shore of Ca Ifls Duh llN kbbN AtiN NbtAf NAAtANAiat tourist "doest the Blue Grotto first.
 All was confusion and crowding un- til we found ourselves in row boat with ferce.looking Italian as boat man. The ideal way to see the Gtotto would be at an early hour when the tourist beloved of Cook .and the ever present nude boys are all sleeping the sleep of the just, but such WAS not our luck. We went into the Gtotto with a crowd of people, all lying of necessity on our backs in the bottom of the boat, and surrounded by any number of the aforementioned nude youths clamor- ing for coins To be thrown them to show their skill in diving, and the clearness of the water. In my excite. ment | threw my coin too soon, and the fierce and Venemous insistenee that throw another was such that l would gladly have given my all for mo ment's peace and quietness to enjoy the real beauty and wonder of the scene. Leaving the Grotto we return- ed to the boat again and before long found ourselves in the FinleaIar climb ing at last up 10 Capri proper, our way lying between wonderfully trained vines and fields gay with poppies and snap dragon. On reaching the town 10 our surprise our suit cases and other hand baggage WAS taken possession of by company Of old women, great grandmothers many times over, judg- ing by their appearance, who, how ever, seemed blessed with almost su. perhuman strength. As our time was unfortunately, limited, il seemed g pity to waste il in eating, but the ex' eellency of the lunch at the Qnisisans somewhat reconeiled us to the delay especially as our musicians from ths