other inhabitants. It will accommodate | sonable. The American bankers are Ulric 2500 persons, and the number of patients & Co., 21 Via Bigli, where good rates of admitted annually is 22,000. The system exchange may be obtained. is very perfect, as much so as in Paris. Sisters of Charity attend upon the sick; the name, disease, and physician's directions are recorded over the head of each patient. The building is kept clean, well ventilated, and free from any thing that is disagreeable. Private Palaces.-Some of these are very beautiful. Among them are the Serbelloni, Vitti, Marino, and Visconti palaces; also one of great beauty, the Palazzo Belgioioso, formerly the villa of Napoleon, afterward of Eugène Beauharnais. The Piazza de Mercanti contains some remains of old Milan; the large square building in the centre was the Palazzo dell Ragione, where assembled, in earlier times, the magistrates of the commonwealth of Milan, and where, at a later date, the ducal courts of justice sat. Other buildings of interest surround this piazza; one of the most curious is the Loggia degli Ossi; from the balcony in front, the podesta asked the assent of the citizens to the acts of government, and the sentences of criminals were here proclaimed. The coats of arms of the six quarters of the city, and of the ViscontisSforzas, decorate the front. On the opposite side of the piazza is located the ancient college. By the side of the Loggia is the ancient Sculo Palatina, in front of which are statues of St. Augustin and Ausonius. This is the business portion of the city, and some of the principal streets are in this vicinity, containing the best shops in Milan. Some of the principal buildings in Milan are the government and judicial palaces, City Hall, Mint, Custom-house, Treasury, etc. It also has four asylums, several hospitals, two work-houses, a government loan bank, two lyceums, a high female school, six gymnasiums, deaf and dumb school, colleges of medicine, a military geographical institute, many primary schools, and various societies of literature, agriculture, etc. The manufactures are silks, velvets, laces, carpets, goldsmiths' wares, hats, leather, earthenwares, etc.; an extensive commerce in Parmesan cheese and rice; and, next to Venice, it is the largest bookmart in Italy. It has also a large tobacco manufactory. The living is quite rea From Milan a very pleasant excursion can be made to Lake Como. Railroad to the town, dist. 28 m. Fare 5 frs. 20 c. Principal hotel, Volta. Population 21,000. Como was formerly a town of some importance. It is surrounded by hills, and defended by double walls. It has four gates, one of which, leading to Milan, is a grand specimen of architecture. It is quite celebrated for its industry and trade. In ancient times it was an extensive manufacturing place, the number of looms exceeding those of Lyons. The scenery around Como is perfectly fascinating, so much so that it is impossible to study, the desire being so great to look out constantly upon its picturesque loveliness. The public buildings are quite numerous; there are 12 churches, a lyceum erected by the French, a library of 15,000 volumes, two female seminaries, an ecclesiastical college; a hospital, orphan asylum, cabinet of natural history, botanic garden, etc. A handsome casino has been added within a few years. Its manufactures are silks, woolen cloths, cotton yarn, and soap. The fine climate of Como entices many visitors. Near the city is the Villa d'Este, now a hotel, formerly the residence of Queen Caroline of England. The Duomo is an imposing building, constructed of white marble, of various styles of architecture. It contains some good paintings, and many of the chapels and altars are exceedingly beautiful. In front of this cathedral is a statue of Pliny the younger, who was a native of this place, and so frequently wrote from the borders of the lake. The sculpturing on the exte rior of the Duomo, representing the Flight into Egypt and the Adoration of the Magi, are of exquisite workmanship. The Lake of Como, so beautifully described by Rogers, is situated in the midst of hills, surrounded by ancient and picturesque ruins. The views from every portion of this lovely sheet of water constantly charm the eye. Its borders are covered with villas, belonging to people of wealth and artists. Bulwer has made the name of Lake Como familiar to every one by his elaborate description of it in the play of the Lady of Lyons. The Count describes to Pauline his palace in most elaborate lan. guage: A deep vale, shut out by Alpine hills from the rude world, near a clear lake margined by fruits of gold and whispering myrtles; glassing softest skies, cloudless, save with rare and roseate shadows;" there, "A palace lifting to eternal heaven its marbled walls from out a glossy bower of coolest foliage musical with birds." So we might follow up the description; but Nature will prove more lovely and attractive, and those who visit this charming spot will undoubtedly be impressed with all the beauties of scenery which have inspired so many authors. See Switzerland. We would advise the traveler now to proceed to Florence by rail via Parma, Modena, and Bologna, and return from Naples by sea to Genoa. The rail to Bologna has recently been finished through to Florence. In this manner he will be able to see the capitals of the former duchies of Parma and Modena, and the ancient city of Bologna, and pass through a very interesting country, formerly but little traveled by Americans before the opening of the railroad. churches are Santa Maria di Campagna, by Bramante. Although in a very damaged state, the beautiful frescoes of Pordenone are still conspicuous. The church of San Sisto is the richest in the town: it contains several fine paintings. It was for this church that Raphael painted his celebrated Madonna San Sisto, now the principal gem in the gallery at Dresden. It was sold in 1753 to the King of Poland for $40,000. Notice the monument to Margaret of Austria, daughter of Charles V., wife of Octavius Farnese, duke of Parma. From Piacenza to Parma. Time, 1 hrs. Parma is finely situated on the River Parma, a branch of the Po: it contains 47,000 inhabitants. Principal hotel Albergo della Posta. This is one of the most ancient cities of Italy. It was conquered by the Romans 123 years before the Christian era, who made a colony of it under the name of Colonia Julia Augusta Parma. It was the residence of the Guelphs during the Middle Ages; was besieged by the Emperor Frederick II. in 1245. It was for a long time the scene of violent intestine From Milan to Parma. Fare, 17 75 fr.; wars between the Visconti, the Della Scala, time, 34 hours. If not pressed for time, stop a day at Piacenza, in former times a very fine city, situated near the River Po. Principal hotel Croce Bianca. Piacenza was founded by the Romans 200 years before Christ. It was completely sacked by the Carthaginians during the second Punic War, and, after numerous other sieges and conflicts, it finally passed during the Middle Ages to the house of Farnese. Sforza at one time reduced its citizens to slavery, and sold 10,000 of them into bondage. The Piazza de Cavalli is the principal place in the town: it is finely paved with granite. On one side is situated the Palazza del Comune, in front of which notice the equestrian statues of the Dukes Alexander and Ranuccio Farnese, executed by Moechi, a pupil of John of Bologna. Alexander was the same duke who commanded the armies of Philip II. in the Low Countries, and took Antwerp in 1585. and the Terzi. From 1545 to 1731 it was the residence of the princes of the house of Farnese, at which time it became united to Spain, and was the capital of the duchy of Parma. From 1815 to 1847 it was ruled by Maria Louisa, empress of France, and wife to Napoleon I. Since 1859 Parma has ceased to be an independent duchy; that and the duchy of Modena, as well as Tuscany, have been annexed to the kingdom of Victor Emmanuel. The principal object of interest is the Ducal Palace, which contains the Academy of Fine Arts, Picture-gallery, Library, Museum, Archives, and Farnese theatre. The palace contains some fine pictures by David-the Toilette, and a splendid portrait of Maria Louisa. The Picture-gallery contains four of Correggio's masterpieces. The principal is his St. Jerome the Madonna with the infant Savior, St. Madeleine, and St. Jerome: it is known in Italy under the name of Il Giorno, "The Day," in contrast to his masterpiece in the galThe Duomo, which is situated at the ex-lery at Dresden, which is "The Night." tremity of the Contrada drilla, is the prin- The entire chamber is devoted to the exhieipal church of Piacenza. It contains bition of this work, which is mostly called Bome fine frescoes by Caracci. The other The Madonna di S. Girolamo. His others are the Madonna della Scodella, or the Flight into Egypt, Descent from the Cross, Bearing the Cross, and his Madonna della Scala, a fresco removed entire from the church of St. Michael: this last is in the library. The gallery contains many other valuable paintings by Caracci, F. Francia, and Van dyke. In the Sculpture-gallery there are several valuable antiques found in the ruins of Velleia. Among the modern works notice a bust of Maria Louisa by Canova. The Library of the Academy is one of the finest in Europe: it contains 140,000 volumes, 100,000 engravings, and 12,000 pieces of music. It also contains some most valuable relics, such as a manuscript of Petrarch, which belonged to Francis I.; a Hebrew Psalm-book, with notes by Martin Luther; a copy of the Koran, found in 1683 by the Emperor Leopold I. in the tomb of the Grand Vizier Kara Mustapha after the siege of Vienna; a letter of Dante, etc., etc. The Farnese Theatre is also a most interesting object attached to the palace: it is now in ruins as far as the boxes and decorations go, having been built nearly 250 years ago. It was capable of holding 8000 people. It was the scene of the most superb spectacles produced in Italy for over 100 years. It was erected by Ranuce Farnese I. in 1618, and took ten years to build. It is over 1000 feet long and 100 wide: the Corinthian columns which decorate the proscenium boxes are 65 feet high. The architect of this superb structure was Aleotti. In the Museum there are now 20,000 medals found in the ruins of Velleia. The Cathedral, or Duomo, is the principal religious edifice of Parma; it is very ancient, having been commenced in the beginning of the 12th century. It is principally visited by strangers on account of the frescoes of the cupola, which were executed by Correggio, and were the last works of this celebrated artist, done between the years 1522 and 1530. Notice in the chapel of St. Agatha the monument erected to the memory of Petrarch, who was archdeacon of this church. The third chapel on the right contains a fine bas-relief representing a Descent from the Cross. The Cathedral should be visited as near noon as possible to obtain all the advantages of light. The church of S. Giovanni Evangelista is a small church, but in remarkable fine taste. The cupola was painted by Correggio, as well as numerous other frescoes therein. Attached to the chapel is a convent belonging to the Benedictine order. It was from this church that the celebrated fresco, the "Coronation of the Virgin,” by Correggio, which is in the Library, was taken. The convent has been the refuge of numerous illustrious persons, among others Charles Emanuel of Sardinia, the Popes Pius VI. and VII. Notice in the church, over a small door in the left transept, a painting of St. John by Correggio. The Madonna della Steccatta, built in the 16th century, after the model of St. Peter's at Rome, is finely frescoed by Parmeggianino and Anselmi. Notice Moses breaking the Tables of the Law and the Adam and Eve, also the monuments of Rossi and Sforce. In the crypt the tomb of Alexander Farnese may be seen. Attached to the church of San Lodovico, a building of little merit, formerly the Convent of St. Paul, is the Camera di San Paolo, which was formerly the parlor of the abbess. It was decorated in beautiful frescoes by Correggio, by order of the abbess, in 1519, for which my lady has received no small censure by different writers, one of whom says that these nude mythological figures pertain more to the house of a former citizen of Herculaneum or Pompeia than to the parlor of an abbess. The ceiling is decorated with emblems of the chase, cupids, the Graces, Fortune, Adonis, Diana, etc. The room should be visited as near noon as possible: remain in it some little while to allow your eyes time to become accustomed to the gloom. Visit the Palazza del Giordano, or Garden of the Palace, founded by Octavius Farnese. At the foot of the terrace is the plain where De Coigny gained a victory over the Austrians in 1733. The principal promenade, is the Stradone, a large boulevard between the citadel and the botanical garden, which, during fine weather, is the rendezvous of promenaders and elegant equipages. From Parma to Modena. Time, 14 hours. (Don't depend too much on official railway guides in regard to the starting of trains from this point. The time is frequently changed.) Modena, former capital of the duchy of |