BELLAGIO, LAKE OF COMO. Drawn by H. Gasteneau. "I have seen the finest parts of Switzerland the Rhine, the Rhone, and the Swiss and Italian lakes; for the beauties of which I refer you to the Guide-Book." Letter to Moore, "Life of Byron." THE beautiful scenery of the Lake of Como has rendered it, to travellers in pursuit of the picturesque, one of the most attractive of the northern lakes of Italy. Villas on its banks and headlands, commanding the most delicious views, are in their turn objects which give a sparkling brilliancy to the deep-shored character of this lake, far more than that of any other which is skirted by the Lepontine, or Rhetian Alps. The views on the Lago Maggiore are more extensive; but the shores of the Lago di Como are the abrupt bases of mountains, which rise from its waters richly clothed in forests of walnut and chestnut-trees. Surrounding the spots of table-land upon which its villas, villages, and cottages rest, are gardens, orchards, and olive-grounds. FF At every successive point which the sinuosity of the lake offers, scenes of exceeding richness are presented, especially in situations where the summits of the lofty mountains which bound the lake on the side of the Alps are seen, some of them rising to the height of seven or eight thousand feet. The Comasques, as the borderers of the lake are called, emigrate from their beautiful country when boys; and a few, who, after many years of struggle in the world, of privation and difficulty, have realised by prudence and economy a little fortune, return to spend the winter of their life amidst the scenes of their childhood. England, France, and America are the countries to which they emigrate. They are the itinerant venders of plaster casts, looking-glasses, and barometers. Stay with us," said the innkeeper of Caddenabia, a little village opposite Bellagio, one who had been himself a barometer-maker in London-"Stay till festa (Sunday), and you will see many rich old men come down from the villages to my house, for the chance of seeing English travellers, and the pleasure of talking of their former residence in England." The extensive emigration of the Comasques, leaving only a few old men who have returned, and numerous children too young to go forth, gives a peculiar character to the population, which I remarked to our innkeeper. "I understand you," he said; "we have plenty of young priests." |