The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-05-19
NEWS FROM ITALY
Mrs. Ralph Boernstein Writes From
ria Rome, Where Her Husband is
Stationed as Consul.
An Interesting Account of Visit to
Gibraltar, Naples, P0mpeii
and Vesuvius.


A letter from Mrs. Ralph Boernstein
(Myra Dickey) has been received by
Miss Eunice Nicely end tho Union has
permission to publish a few extracts
from it which will undoubtedly be of
interest to our readers.
Mr.. and Mrs. Boernstein embarked
at New York on March Is. During
the few days they were in New York,
Mrs. Boernstein writes: eve did the
usual stunts of theater going, cabaret
ing, and sightseeing, including Won
derful trip through the famous play
ers' studio on Long Island, where we
saw Elsie Ferguson and Constance
Binney at work." From New York
they went to Boston and finally set
sail on their ocean voyage from that
port. Mrs. Boernstcin continues: "The
first real break in our journey was at
Ponta del Gada on the Isle of St.
Michaels, which we found to be an in
t,resting, busy and picturesque port.
Our stop here was very short and
three days journey from this point
brought US to Gibraltar. Early in the
forenoon the rock doomed into sight on
the horizon and great were the thrills
l experienced at finding it the real
thing as I have seen it pictured SO
many times, only larger and mora
majestic than had ever imagined it
On one side is Spain stretching to the
north while across the narrow channel
is the shore of Africa.
"The town of Gibraltar itself is the
most cosmopolitan I have ever seen
There one rubs shoulders with pic
turesque Moors in dirty tatters and
others in gaudy splendor, miserable
vendors and beggars Of all descrip-
lions, Spanish handles end dark eyed
beauties, English soldiers, sailors and
civilians, as we'll as sea folk of other
nations and tourists of every national.
ity. Feeling the need of exercise af-
ter our long journey aboard ship, We
fouted the little curtained cabs anc
proceeded from the principal thorough.
fare back towards the slope, where
we assembled the side of the rock quite
a considerable distance. From this
vantage point we had splendid pano
ramic view of the city and the water.
beyond stretching over to the shores o:
Africa. l must leave &c subject O.
Gibraltar or will bsve no energy lef
for other details but really I coul,
write volume on the interesting fca
turec of the place.
"Our next stop was at Naples which
was the end of our journey by water
Naples, like many others places il
Italy, taken as whole and at dis
tance, is wonderfully attractive an,
picturesque, but many an entrancin,
spot is ruined upon close observation
by the filth and typical obnoxiou
odors. Tourists are the legitimSt
prey Of the theiving cabmen, porterc
shopkeepers end service people of al
descriptions. We stayed in Maple
several days and while there we ha'
a splendid time. The members of tn
consulate were wonderful to u
and entertained US at tess, dinners an
various functions including a will
Italian cabaret. Our two most inter
esting trips at Naples were visits t.
Pompeii and Vesuvius. The trip t.
Pompeii was made on an electric an
all along the way was immensely in
tcrested in the sights and peasants a
work in the fields and the enormou
vineyards and orchards. Pompeii ex
ceedcd all our expectations in the wa
of size and detail. Among che mos
interesting ruins were the forum, tn
public baths and house which is quit
complete. Some of the freScoes an
mural paintings are as vivid an
bright as though the hand of the I'll
fist had applied the brush just yes
terday.
"Tie journey to the top of Vesuviu
was made by electric cog and cab]
cars, the latter part of the journey bt
ing made at a dizzy angle of SIS dt
grees. With the aid of our guide W
went about half way into tire crate
where we could get good view of tn
active cone. The day was beautiful
clear and Vesuvius behaved as thong
especially for our benefit. Even tt
guides seemed excited at tire olarn
ing manner in which she bclched fort
vivid Iowa, fire, smoke and ashes, a
companied by an ominous boom. TT
sight is more magnificent than I c.