This town, enclosed by ramparts, doubtless merited the title of L'Industriosa. Its streets are clean, regularly built, and paved with flag-stones; they have now, however, a deserted appearance, the population not being in proportion to the size of the town. The palace is a handsome edifice, fitted up with taste, but, since the junction of the duchy of Lucca to Tuscany, it has been untenanted. A railroad to Florence through Pistoia and Prato, is nearly completed. The trajet by rail to Pisa occupies about half an hour. The Lucchese have the reputation of being good-tempered, courteous, and also moral, as compared with the inhabitants of some other parts of Italy.

The baths of Lucca are about fourteen miles from the town, and are much resorted to in the summer; this being one of the coolest spots in Italy, and free from mosquitoes. They are situated in an elevated and pleasant valley, near the highest ridge of the principal Appenine range, on the little river Lima, a tributary of the Serchio-and are divided into three parts or separate villages. The Ponte Seraglio, and the Bagni alla Villa, occupy the bank of the river about a mile distant from each other, and are connected by a good carriage road, bordered by chestnut trees-the Bagni Caldi are situate at a considerable elevation on the brow of the hill overlooking the Ponte Seraglio; and this, though less fashionable, is perhaps the best situation for invalids, being cooler than the valley in the day, and exempt from the humidity which often. prevails there at night.

As this is the most frequented summer residence of English visiters remaining in Italy, a more detailed ac

count from the local guide, published by an Englishman a few years ago, may not be unacceptable. "The plan of the valley of the baths is something of the form of a horseshoe, having in its interior the three villages, and the mountain on which stands the Croce di Ferro. Turning the sharp bend which the road takes on arriving, the traveller is struck by the position of the contiguous mountains on the right, which descends with but a few degrees' inclination from the perpendicular close upon the street, barely leaving room for the houses at their feet. At a glance, he perceives that he is in the bosom of a high and lofty region. Hills upon hills rise in quick succession, at every turn he makes in his progress to the Villa, apparently shutting out all chance of further passage in that direction; and, when the main village comes in sight, a wider expanse of plain is seen forming a space not unlike an amphitheatre, backed by the more elevated parts of these lower branches of the Appenines. In this plain are situated many picturesque villas and detached cottages, besides the striking old village of Corsena, all lying in a cultivated and delightful ground, spread out in variegated forms and patches. On the right, crowning the summit of a hill, is seen Benabbio, and beyond the direction of the valley appear some other villages. The population of the surrounding districts is animated and healthy; longevity is common, and families for generations past have lived together in houses built by their forefathers. Their simple manners and excellent morals present a contrast to the natives of other parts, where there is an influx of strangers; they are industrious, intelligent, orderly, and attached to religion. The climate is exceedingly tem

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perate and healthy, and is subject to none of those uncertain changes met with at many favourite wateringplaces. At the height of 555 feet above the level of the sea, the valley is not situated in too cold a region; at the same time it experiences a moderation of the heats known to exist in the plains below. I have never found the thermometer higher than 80 F., and this was considered unusual."

The Ponte Serraglio is divided into two parts by the Lima, over which is the stone bridge.

At its extremity is the Piazza del Ponte, the most frequented place of resort, consisting of substantial houses, the lower part of which is occupied by shops and cafésthe upper portions being let in apartments. The Cercle de Réunion, or club; Paganini's Hotel, and further on along the river, the Hotel de l'Europe, are in this part. Beyond is the Casino, an elegant building with portico and façade, and a terrace for promenading. The road to the right of the piazza, in the direction of the villa, passes the market, the Hotels de France, and Croix de Malte, and a row of good-looking houses. This is a beautiful drive, and one of the principal promenades. On approaching the villa, the road divides into two branches; that on the left leading to the English Chapel, the Ducal Palace, and the Bagni Alla Villa; the other keeps straight on through the village. The villa is nothing more than a long street, bordered by a number of lodging-houses and shops, having excellent gardens attached to them. The first object noticed on entering, is the Hotel Pelicano; next comes the Theatre; and a few yards farther on, the Palazzo Communale. Peltini's boarding and lodging-house is also conspi

cuous.

This main road crosses the Lima by a bridge,

and is continued along its left bank up the valley, towards the Fabrica di Ferro.

The return to the Ponte is by a pleasant and steady road. The Strada Letizia, on the same side, forms another delightful drive, having rows of acacias along its whole distance. It passes by the English cemetery, over two furious torrents, and meets the Lucca road in the western half of the Ponte. The Casa Nicolai, the Casa Cardinali, forming one side of the piazza; Gregory's, near the chapel-are also among the principal lodging-houses. The ducal palace is a plain structure, on an elevated platform, cut out of the slope of the mountain, and charmingly placed for commanding a beautiful view of the valley before it. The English chapel is a neat building, with cypress and shrubs growing around. The service is performed by the clergyman, who does duty at Pisa in the winter. The cercle has a large garden pleasantly laid out. It contains an assembly

The

room, reading, billiard, and refreshment rooms. casino is tastefully fitted up. Balls are occasionally given at the theatre.

The springs rise from the hill, but beyond their high temperature do not possess active medical properties. There are ten sources, the principal-Bernarbo, has eight bath-rooms attached. Its temperature is 33° R. -the others, at the Bagni Caldi and Alla Villa, are less hot. The water contains sulphate of lime and magnesia, muriate of soda and magnesia, with a trace of iron. A course of the baths may be recommended in rheumatic affections, deranged digestion, and some other disordered conditions of health; but the place is princi

pally frequented on account of it being a cool and agreeable summer retreat.

The road to Lucca winds around the base of pasturecovered mountains, the sides of which are sprinkled with numerous villages and hamlets, and is here and there bordered by avenues of acacia-trees. About three miles distant from the baths is a striking piece of ancient architecture, the Ponte del Diavolo, which crosses a narrow gorge between the mountains on either side of the river. The top of the central arch is 60 feet above the water: the breadth being but eight or ten feet. The environs of Lucca baths have been fully described by the authoress of The Byways of Italywhose family has long resided there.

Pisa is fourteen miles distant from Lucca, the railroad extending to Florence on the one side (with a branch from the Empoli station to Siena), and on the other to Leghorn, which is likewise fourteen miles distant. The plain in which the town stands is continued to the sea five miles off; some of the intervening land is at times covered with water, though of late years the means adopted for drainage have improved the salubrity of the district.

Pisa is of considerable extent, being enclosed by high walls, and is divided into two unequal parts by the Arno, which flows through it with a semicircular bend. The quays are handsome, the streets wide, clean, and, as in most towns in Tuscany, are paved with flag-stones. When Pisa was the capital of a republic, the population amounted to upwards of 150,000; it does not, however, now much exceed 20,000 souls, which imparts to the town a melancholy and deserted aspect. Three stone