128 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
Recent Exoursion through a part of the 
Norrtu of Irary, from Lecco to Mr- 
LAN, by the Curvatizr AMORETTI, 
Keeper of the Ambrosian Library. 
N turning northwards from Lecco, 
we arrive at the promontory at 
which the Lake Lario, or Como, is di- 
vided, the lake being in the shape of 
a A upset. We then advance along the 
opposite side of this arm of the lake, 
which consists of enormous rocks cut 
erpendicularly. Nothing can be more 
interesting than the view from these 
heights, covered with olives and pines. 
The situation is of the first order, and 
the spectator must, indeed, be fasti- 
dious that would not appreciate the 
beauties. Such was the sentiment of 
the younger Pliny, who had his country- 
house, called Tragedy, here, if we may 
judge from his own account, that he 
ad built a house on the promontory, 
where the Larius divides into two 
branches. Here the Serbelloni family 
have a chateau, the situation of which 
is peculiarly fine. Indeed, the whcle 
promontory is studded with pleasant 
country-houses. The proprietors are 
the Milanese lords, such as the Ciceri, 
Trotti, Taverna, Anguissola, &c.; but 
that .which the. Duke of Megli has 
erected, is the best that the district pos- 
sesses, both in the style of magnificence 
and in the beauty of its architecture. 
The village of the Bellazio (Bilaicum) is 
in this part. 
At Lecco, the Adda issues from the 
lake, under.a. fine bridge erected in the 
fourteenth century; and, not far from 
thence, forms. two small. lakes near 
Somasca. Here Jerom Emilien founded 
the monastic institution of the Somasque 
Friars, for the education of the poor, 
and to the providing for orphans. 
At Trezzo, a neat village on the 
Adda, commences the Canal of Marte- 
sana, which is navigable by barges to 
Milan. It was cut by order of Francis 
Sforza, in 1457.. The Adda at that 
time was not. navigable from Lecco to 
Trezzo. Towards the end of the six- 
teenth century, under the reign of Phi- 
lip If., King of Spain, who was then in 
possession of Lombardy, the architect, 
Meda, began works for lowering the 
waters. He raised two sluices in ele- 
vated points; but it was not till 1776 
that this navigation became practicable, 
by cutting a canal through the moun- 
tain, and by dividing the falls of water 
into six sluices. ‘The Canal of Marte- 
sana, for some part of it, is in a direc- 
Excursion through Lecco to Milan. - 
‘course for Milan. 
[Serr, 1, 
tion with the right bank of the Adda, as 
far as Cassano, a village famous for 
battles fought in its vicinity; it then 
turns, almost at right angles, in its 
Its borders are 
thickly studded: with pretty country- 
houses. ‘ 
From Lecco we may proceed to Milan 
by land, passing through the Brianza, 
a well-cultivated district, and through 
Monza, a.small but agreeable town, 
where the sovereigns of Lombardy have 
a magnificent palace, with a park of 
prodigious extent, and forests for hunt- 
ingin. The collegiate church of Monza 
is one of the most ancient of Lombardy, 
and still .contains.a number of valuables 
in its sacristy, presented by Antaric, 
king of the Lombards, and his queen, 
Theodolind. They had selected this 
place for their residence, as did also the 
Emperor Beranger. Here also is kept 
the famous iron crown of the Lombard 
kings: it is in a gold frame, adorned 
with precious stones, and in the form 
of a dog’s collar; the iron circle within, 
according to popish tradition, was an 
appendage to the crucifixion. Charles 
V. had himself crowned with it at Bo- 
logna, as Bonaparte also in 1805. In 
memory of this ceremony, the latter 
instituted the imperial order of the 
Tron Crown. It was remarkable, and 
seems to have been ominous, that he 
experienced the fate threatened. by the 
inscription on the crown: “ Guai a ehi 
la tocca:’”’ (Woe to him that touches it.) 
From Monza to Milan, the road acquires 
a degree of respectability and» magni- 
ficence; the journey may be a 
in two hours. 
To return to, the Cadepabbia: from 
Bellagio, we must repass the western 
branch of the lake: The country-house 
called Clerici, may give-a pretty correct 
idea-of the taste and luxury of the eigh- 
teenth century. In coasting along the 
lake, through fields planted with vines 
and olives, we come to Lenno (Lem- 
nos); here we find a little antique sub- 
terranean temple, supported on columns 
of streaked marble; the altar has an in 
scription bearing the name of Vibius 
Cominianus, who had dedicated it to 
Diana. 
Between Cadenabbia and the town of 
La Villa, the lake forms a small eulph, 
the situation of which is the most agree- 
able in Lombardy in the winter: season: 
The whole district: is covered with 
olives, citron, and -caper trees, and 
aloes. Near La Villa is Balbiano, a 
beautiful palace, erected and embellished 
by 
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