"Gentle or rude, No scene of life but has contributed Much to remember;

And if it stir the heart, if aught be there
That may hereafter in a thoughtful hour
Wake but a sigh, 'tis treasured up among
The things most precious; and the day it came,
Is noted as a white day in our lives."

A

1

ITALIAN JOURNEYING.

"If in your memories dwell

A thought which once was his; if on ye swell
A single recollection, not in vain

He wore the sandal shoon and scallop shell."

ALTHOUGH called by the veturino, on a January morning, at about half past two, I had cause, as usual, to regret my ready attention to his summons, for it was nearly six when I was actually moving on in the cabriolet of the carriage by the side of my compagnon de voyage. The thin scattered clouds which dimmed the sky of early day gathered more darkly as we proceeded, so that all means of avoid

ing direct contact with the rain were soon put in requisition. It was no small disappointment to me, when arrived at our first stopping-place, Albano, to find myself shivering at the scanty fire of the innkitchen, instead of roaming over the hill and about the lake which give so much celebrity to this village. One of the passengers, more hale, though I ween not more zealous than myself, made a hurried visit to the spot, and returned quite wet to complain of the littleness of the sheet of water dignified with the title of lake. When we again set out, the rain was pouring in torrents, and the utter gloominess of the scenery, and comparatively comfortless state of our feelings, made the slow riding of the few remaining hours of light, uninteresting, to say the least. How the miserable dinner, cold quarters, and dreary aspect of our night's shelter were gone through with, every old traveller can imagine. Each bore the several privations according to his humour, though the chief consolation seemed to be derived from the idea of home-comfort which the contrast suggested.

A seemingly long, and equally dark ride brought us the ensuing morning to the borders of the Pontine Marshes, renowned for the antiquated attempt to drain them, and some circumstances of ancient history in connexion with which they are mentioned. The quality which has rendered them somewhat formidable in modern times-their pestiferous exhalations, was imperceptible, either from