constitution, and when the body is ripe for the impression of the tramontana, that ruthless blast descends from the mountains on its hapless victims."

We cannot, however, wonder that so many of our countrymen, who do not see the dark side of the question, should have allowed themselves to be captivated by the bright skies of Italy, and the delightful temperature of a large proportion of the winter days, when it may be truly said that

"Ein sanfter wind von blauen Himmel weht,"

and, as somebody has elsewhere said, one feels mere existence to be a pleasure, or, as the poet has expressed it—

"Simply to feel that we breathe, that we live,

Is worth the best joys that life elsewhere can give," on comparing them with the fogs, humidity, and variable weather of their native land; and there is no question that persons in health may, by taking due precautions against the transitions of temperature, derive all the advantage and gratification afforded by the climate during the winter months, without danger of their health being prejudicially affected; but that, on the other hand, a long residence in Italy (especially at Rome), or even returning thither during several successive winters, does, in many cases, materially impair the health-frequently without the cause being suspected-or, at all events, enervates the constitution, thus diminishing the vigour of the body and the energy of the mind.

The relaxation and oppression of spirits produced by the stillness of the atmosphere, especially during the prevalence of the sirocco, may generally be removed in some degree by a canter on horseback; the person thus carried rapidly through the air, without active exertion, being in much the same condition as if he were himself stationary, and the air agitated by winds. Many people, after two or three months' residence at Rome, feel themselves relaxed and out of health; this indisposition may generally be removed by an excursion for a fortnight or three weeks to Naples, Florence, or even Albano.

On the whole, Rome may be considered as the best residence in Italy for patients labouring under consumption, though, in the advanced stages, little benefit can be expected; and since the climates of the continent have been better understood by the profession in England, the number of those who are sent out while labouring under irremediable disease is much less than formerly; and comparatively few invalids have latterly resorted to Rome, the great majority of the English being composed of families, and travellers for pleasure. In the tendency to consumption, and in the early stage of this disease, much advantage may, however, be frequently derived from wintering at Rome for two or three successive years; but persons similarly circumstanced should not, in general, remain throughout the summer in Italy. In some cases, Pisa agrees

better than Rome, in others Nice, especially when the complaint is of a scrofulous origin, and the patient is of a torpid or phlegmatic temperament, marked by a slow, languid circulation; whereas in the opposite condition, which is characterized by a florid complexion, accelerated circulation and respiration, Pisa or Rome would be preferable. In some bronchial and laryngeal diseases, which are not unfrequently mistaken for disease of the lungs, and which, in fact, frequently superinduce diseases of these organs, the climate of Rome will produce permanently beneficial effects, and will often contribute materially to their removal. Those cases marked by a tendency to inflammatory action, or accompanied with much local irritability, are in general the best adapted for Rome; while those more chronic forms, especially in old people, and attended with free expectoration of mucus, will often derive more benefit from Nice or Naples; though they would do well to remove from these localities in the spring. Many dyspeptic, rheumatic, and gouty invalids, especially if of an irritable habit, will likewise derive benefit from passing the winter at Rome, or between Florence, Rome, and Naples. Rome generally agrees well with elderly people, and many attain there a great age. It does not in general suit patients with neuralgic or nervous affections; neither would a prolonged residence be advisable for those liable to cerebral congestion.

It must be borne in mind that the active medication employed in England would not be well supported by those English who have long resided in Italy, but for those who have not been long enough to become acclimated I have not found it necessary to make any material alteration in the treatment of acute disease, or that such persons are much more susceptible to the action of remedies than they would be in England.

As regards a summer residence in the environs, Mrs. Carleton observes that Tivoli and Frascati are both damp, and speaks favourably of Albano, which, indeed, is the usual resort both of the Romans and those strangers who remain at this season of the year, being perfectly cool, and far more healthy than Naples and its environs. "The sea breeze begins here at ten in the morning, and renders the climate so temperate that our thermometer seldom exceeded 72 of Fahrenheit, in a room looking full south; yet this room looked down upon the Campagna, a nearly level surface, bathed in floods of golden light during three months in the year, passed without rain."

"Albano has some noble avenues, and a wood belonging to Prince Doria's Villa; from hence may be seen Rome, the sea, and the Apennines. Mount Lavinium, with its solitary tower, and Mount Savelli, feathered to the summit with trees and shrubs, add to the beauty of the prospect.

СНАРТER VIII.

NAPLES-ENVIRONS-NEAPOLITAN CHARACTER-CLIMATE-VIA LATINA ABBEY OF MONTE CASINO-ROAD TO FLORENCE, BY SERNI

MALTA-PALERMO.

THE most frequented road to Naples traverses the Campagna, intersected by long lines of aqueducts as far as Albano. The country between Albano and Aricia is picturesque, but beyond Velletri the road descends to the Pontine marshes, through which it is carried in a straight line for twenty-five miles, a great part of the way along the bank of the canal, into which the water from the marshes is drained. For this distance not a habitation is to be seen except the half-way post station, and scarcely a living being,

"Save the herdsman and his herd,
Savage alike,"

and an occasional wayfarer along the road. The marshes are bounded on the east by the chain of Apennines, on the acclivities of which are two or three towns (formerly the resort of banditti), and by Terracina on the south. The Circean promontory is seen for a considerable distance, and