The Argosy — page 243: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

228 San Marcello. 1530, when Ferruccio fell, betrayed by the treachery of Malatesta, while he was fighting for Florence against the Imperialists, to keep it out of the hands of the Medici. ‘This desperate struggle is admirably described by D’Azeglio in his “ Nicolo de’ Lapi,” and there is a tablet on one of the old houses in the piazza recording how the hero fell. While I was staying at San Marcello two ladies made themselves conspicuous at Gavinana by preaching Protestantism in the piazza, and in distributing tracts. ‘This well-meant but ill-judged proceeding created much disturbance, and the priests warned their flock that if they persisted in listening to the teaching of these ladies, and in receiving their tracts, they would excommunicate them. The ladies saw their error, and the matter soon ended. I must not forget to suggest an excursion to the lake Scaffaiolo. For this the tourist must choose that part of the month when the moon is nearly full) He must also be prepared to climb, and to lose his night’s rest. In case of bad weather, a hut has been erected close to the lake; it 1s perfectly air-tight, and adjoins a shed, in which wood and coal are kept. ‘The dawn, as is well known, is extremely chilly in Italy; but should the day turn out fine and clear, a magnificent panorama of the plains of Lombardy stretches out before the eyes of the tourist. The lake of Scaffaiolo is two hundred metres long and sixty wide. San Marcello can be reached from it by Splgnana, near the grotto of Macereti. I have only mentioned a very few of the principal excursions in the neighbourhood; but for those who are good walkers, and who do not object to a little climbing and fatigue, there are still many more which it would be delightful to make. Donkeys, also, are easily procured at San Marcello and the surrounding villages, and they are stronger and more sure-footed than those we meet with in England. Carriages are tolerably well supplied, and not very expen- sive ; the fare, for example, to Bagni di Lucca, a drive of some hours from San Marcello, is only fifteen francs. From thence it is not difficult to get to Via Reggia, where the sea breeze tempers the heat, and which is gay from being a favourite resort of the Italians as well as of foreigners. It is, in short, perfectly unnecessary to quit Italy during June, July, and August ; there are quite as many fresh and cool retreats here as elsewhere, were they known. Being less frequented, they are fare more restful, and far less expensive. ‘Those who go to Italy for the winter would do well to try it in the summer. ‘Those who pro- pose to make a short stay or tour abroad, would be extremely pleased with a visit to the Pistojan mountains, a journey which, on reaching Florence, is very easily accomplished, and the recollection of which will leave the traveller satisfied that he has seen something out of the beaten track, much that is fresh and beautiful, and seen at very little expense. A. B. CORNICE OOO KS (E(0)