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Fair Italy, the Riviera and Monte Carlo. W. Cope Devereux
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isbn 4057664583437
Автор произведения W. Cope Devereux
Жанр Книги о Путешествиях
Издательство Bookwire
W. Cope Devereux
Fair Italy, the Riviera and Monte Carlo
Comprising a Tour Through North and South Italy and Sicily with a Short Account of Malta
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4057664583437
Table of Contents
FAIR ITALY. THE RIVIERA AND MONTE CARLO.
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.
PREFACE.
Fair Italy, the land of song and cradle of the Arts, has been so often written about, and so well described both in prose and in verse, that I feel there is a presumption in my attempting to say anything fresh of that classic land, its art treasures, and its glorious past. But within the last few years a new Italy has sprung into existence—the dream of Cavour has been realized; and, contrary to all predictions, she has evinced a union and cohesiveness so complete as to surprise all, and possibly disappoint some who were jealous of her.
What was once a conglomeration of petty rival states is now one constitutionally governed kingdom. Italy has ceased to be only a geographical name; she is now a nation whose voice is listened to at the council tables of the Great Powers.
The old terms of Piedmontese, Tuscan, Lombard, and Neapolitan, have no longer aught but a local significance; from the Alps to Tarentum every one glories in the name of free united Italy, and feels proud of being an Italian.
Young Italy is so rapidly developing the resources of her gifted people and of her fruitful lands, that she daily becomes more interesting to all who sympathize with a free and vigorous country; more especially to the English, who have many interests in common with her, and few, if any, reasons to fear either antagonism or competition.
And the beautiful Riviera—
Where God's pure air, sweet flowers, blue sea and skies,
Combine to make an earthly Paradise.
Yes! the Riviera is certainly one of the loveliest spots on this fair earth, and is visited by streams of human beings, lovers of nature and students of art; but is more especially dear to the thousands of sickly invalids, who—
Journeying there from lands of wintry clime,
Find life and health 'midst scenery sublime.
But, to be truly candid, I must confess that, while humbly trusting I have succeeded in making this little book both interesting and instructive, one of the chief reasons for my putting pen to paper has been to make an effort, however feeble, to expose the deadly evils of the plague-spot of this paradise, Monte Carlo.
From this centre there circulates a gambling fever not only throughout the Riviera—from Cannes to Genoa—but everywhere its victims may carry it. After being stamped out from all the German watering-places, the demon "Play" has fixed his abode in this fair spot, in the very pathway of invalids and others, and, under the ægis of a corrupt prince and his subjects who share the proceeds of the gaming-tables, this valued health resort, which was surely designed by a beneficent Creator for the happiness of His creatures, is turned