The Quarterly Review, Vol. 91: Published in June and September, 1852 (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Murray, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1334075638 ISBN 13: 9781334075636

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2024

Synopsis

Excerpt from The Quarterly Review, Vol. 91: Published in June and September, 1852

The entrance into Genoa is the occasion of another burst, and also the scene of an adventure.

The approach to Genoa greatly delighted me. Villas and gardens full of orange-trees and flowering shrubs on either side of the road, with trellised vines supported upon ranges of stone pillars. These are often placed tier above tier, and their rich ornaments contrast beauti fully with the craggy rock from which they seem to spring. Altogether there is something peculiar and appropriate in this approach, preparing one, so to speak, for the magnificent scene which greets the traveller, when, on turning one of the abrupt declivities which jut upon the road, Genoa la Superba bursts upon the view! It is built nearly in the form of a crescent, at the foot of mountains of various heights, some of the lower eminences being crowned with forts and ramparts, and their sides gay with palaces and terraced gardens. At each end of the crescent-shaped city are two noble piers, with lighthouses terminating both. One is particularly fine, rising between three and four hundred feet from the solid rock. Splendid houses line the principal streets, which, though narrow, convey no idea of gloom, while the shade they afford from the glare of the noonday sun is most grateful. I was delighted with Genoa, even by the time we reached the Albergo d'italia, a very good hotel, with a most attentive and obliging land lord. Our rooms were quite charming, but at such a height! Nos. 65 and 66! However, the heat was so intense, we were glad to have large airy apartments, even at the expense of climbing up to them. We arranged to go out and see the church of l'amumziata and return to tea before going up to our nest again. Well may people talk of the extraordinary magnificence of this church. It is one mass of gold and blue and gorgeous marble of every colour. Bright pictures set in golden panels look down from the roof, and lapis lazuli is the ground wherever they are not. In the dome, which is lighted by windows all round, are paintings which, at that distance at least, are perfectly beautiful. The windows are set in massive gold frames, and the effect of crimson silk curtains, on which the setting sun was shining, was nothing less than glorious. We looked in vain fora painting I had heard was in this church, and which I wished to see.

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Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2024
• ISBN 10: 1334075638
• ISBN 13: 9781334075636
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 586