The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-09

The following charming and interesting letter was written by Miss Louise Long. who is a member of the Brownell party ,rom Tuscaloosa, touring Europe this summer:
 We landed at Naples June 29, after stopping at Gibralter for a day. There we saw the Moorish markets, stone galleries, and took funny little buggies and drove for hours, passing Neutral Ground, the boundary between Spain and Gibralter, where high fence bristled with pointed bayonets. all pointing toward Spain.
 ''The shops were alluring and I bought a gorgeous dragon bag with jade han dles, which I accidently broke an hour after I returned to the boat.
 Naples was very picturesque and I en- joyed the aquarium, museum and the Posi- lipo drive, from which we had an excel lent birds eye view of the city. wouldn't care to stay there very long. Such popping of whips and jabbering in Italian and dirt and beggars. I was very glad to leave for side trip to the Blue Grotto, Capre and Sarrento.
 Here we passed the home of Marion Crawford, the novelist, wonderfully at tractive villa, situated on the hillside overlooking that wonderfully blue lay, and surrounded by orange and lemon trees
 "Tarrento is the most heavenly spot in Europe. l never enjoyed such tranquility and peace. After dinner that evening some Italians in native costume danced the "Tarrentillee' for us and one bright eyed little boy sang several selections from Italian operas.
 T got pillow and sat on my tiny bal cony overlooking the bay and watched the moon rise. It was the most beautiful sight I ever saw.
 ''The day we visited Pompei almost equalled the heat of the original eruption but we left very soon for Naples, where such glorious surprise awaited us.
 -Four American men of war were anchored there and when we reached our hotel it was full of midshipmen. One of the girls of our party, Imogene Little of Mo- bile, knew some of the boys and very soon we all knew them. We were the first American girls they had seen in ages and we certainly were rushed. They gave us dance on the Illinois, where we met some Italian royalty, several princesses, prince and baron.
 'I wore yellow dress, Gustrine Milner a salmon pink, Serena Kirkpatrick black and white, Isabel Currey blue, and Cor nelia Elliott from Gadsden white and now you know how we looked. We had a de- lirious time. So many beaux, all in white military suits, and you know even an ugly man is handsome in those.
 Leighton Wood was there, but had a sprained ankle, so didn't appear They all saw us off for Rome the next day
 Rome is the most interesting place. old ruins and the coliseum by moonlight old huins and the coliseum by moonlight, but l do not wish to rival Baedeker
 T met such funny Baron 'Something I've forgotten his name, who had an an gry looking black mustache and a very deep brow. He presented me with a bou- quet of Cape Jessamine and invited the entire party to his chateau on the Rhine and when We were leaving he kissed the chaperones hand. Imaginei We laughed about him until we reached Florence.
 Here we shopped and bought the most wonderful jewelry for a mere song. l spent all day Sunday in the Uffizzi gal lery and the Pitt palace looking at the pictures again. We had been there be- fore, but had not stayed long enough. so Mrs. Ellis and I literally spent the day there. Afterwards I bought a set of Ma donnas that l have always wanted and had them framed in those lovely hand carved F'lorentine frames.
 We have been on the Italian lakes for the past three days. They are beautiful. AS l write this I am enjoying a white willow chair on the lawn by huge bush of pink hydransae, which bloom in pro- fusion over here. This garden of the Grand Hotel Bellevue they all sound so amposing) is a lovely place. Neat gravel walks encircing prim flower beds with huge palms and those artistic Lombardy poplar trees forming background: while In front just opposite me, is the beautiful Lake Magsiore, the largest and loyliest or the Italian lakes. Small islands dot its surface and there are attractive villas and gardens on each. Italian fishing boats go by. rowed by small boys in bright colors always singing.
 We leave at noon for Switzerland where we will have plenty of snow. A 1rain came in this morning with snow on the top. Imagine!
 All America stands with bowed head. Erief-stricken, In silent acknowledgment Of sympathy for our nations chief Over shadowing international complications and foreign strife is our own national sor- row. Mid the clamor of war and the din Of lar away battle the heart of America beats in tender compassion for President Wilson. The death of Mrs. Wilson means more than the loss of a life Her talents. her charms, her individual personality. have made her not only an important fa c tor in her husbands life but have created for her distinct place in the hearts of her people, a place the vacancy of which none can fill Among the artistic. the