T R A V E L S THROUGH
{See t h e De f c r i p t i o n of Mo n t e Ba ldo b y Giovanni P o n a , a very fcarce a n d valuablo
book.)
THE Naturalift will find infinite fatisfaflion in rambling over thofe monntains and
vallies in feareb of objefts well worth liis attention j but if he ihonld be flopped in
his career by a ftorm, which is Sequent in that eonntry, let him not fear to fcelt
t h e afylum of the humble and rullic cottager, as he will find that honeft clafs of
people pofliffing as great a Ibare of urbanity, gaiety, and hofpitality, as the inhabitants
of the vallies of Switzerland and Savoy.
T H E KH^TIAN ALPS.
S E C T I O N
S E C T I O N nr.
DEPARTURE FROM VERONA — BARRIER OF THE COUNTY OF TYROL, NEAR ROCCA
PIA — D E S C R I P T I ON OF THE VALLEY OF TRENT AND .MOUNT
BALDO — ARRIVAL AT TRENT.
H A V I N G lengthened my flay at Verona as long as it was in my power, I quitted it,
p e r f e a l y fatisfied wi t h what I had feen; though fully convinced that the charming fpot
required not only more time properly to inveftigate its beauties, but alfo the obfervations of
a Naturalift more vcrfed i n the ftudy of the three kingdoms of nature. After ctoffing the
river Adige, or Athefis, near the gates of Verona, I purfued my route northward, le.-iving
on the right the road to Vicenza, and on the left that to Lombirdy. The valley, wliieli
one enters direSly on paffing the river, is almoft every where a level, except a few high
grounds fcattered here and there, which feem to announce the approach of the Tridentine
Alps. The road continues much the fame till one gets near the village of SeUimo, where
t h e valley becomes conrrarted, and offers to the eye feveral romant i c and piihiirefque fcenes.
H i VINO left the city of Veron.i at a very early hour, the fun had fcarcely tinged with
his golden beams the fummits of the mounts Baldo and Leffini; the valley, which feparated
them, enjoying all the fi-eflinefs and beauty of a fine fpring morning. In croffing it I
felt that charming, undefcribable calm, which fo frequently precedes the appearance of
t h a t grand luminary who cheers and enlivens every objeiit. Sometimes I proceeded
t h r o u g h beautiful meadows, enamelled with flowers; which, being ftill covered with
dew, greatly added to the beauty of the fcene, as the refieaion of the fun-beams,
darting through the craggy openings of the elevated motintahis on the right, made
t h em appear like brilliants of variegated colours. At other times I palled through
cxtenfive corn-fields, where the golden ears, gently agitated by the morning zephyr,
fcemed to invite the hand of the reaper, in ordet to reward him tenfold for his paft
trouble and fatigue.
THIS enchanting fcene received an additional charm from the melody of the airial
fongfters, ilraining their little throats, as if to vie with each other, in their homage
of thankfgiving to the vifible Author of Life and Vegetation.
THE Adige alfo, joining its gentle murmurs to their charming ftrains, meandered
calmly through tufts of olive-trees and poplars, quitting with feeming regret this
delightful fpot.
G FtlLL