Mr Wilson on the State of the Arts in Italy. 105 



travelled many miles over turf, or by small tracks on the coast 

 or on the mountains. Towns are almost universally built on 

 eminences ; consequently the roads are hilly, but I think less 

 so than would be supposed from the nature of the country, and 

 both in direction and in smoothness, they greatly excel those 

 of France. 



The system of road-making followed is nearly the same as 

 that adopted by the late Mr Telford, that is to say, a pave- 

 ment of stones is first formed upon which the metal is laid; 

 but I do not think that the principles advocated by our great 

 engineer are followed out in the formation of the pavement. 

 Excellent roads, however, are the result of the system, even 

 although gravel is used instead of broken metal.* 



Various principles of paving are now exciting much atten- 

 tion in London ; it is to be regretted that something like a sen- 

 sible principle is not followed in Edinburgh. In Italy various 

 modes are adopted, in Genoa and at Naples large flat paral- 

 lelograms of lava are used, at Florence large irregular poly- 

 gons carefully jointed, and at Rome a pavement resembling 

 our own, except that the stones are of regular forms, of one 

 size, and grouted in with lime and pozzolana. 



I shall now touch very briefly on a few arts of Italy which 

 remain to be described, and shall then take the liberty of bring- 

 ing before you one or two contrivances which struck me as in- 

 genious and of which I have prepared drawings. 



The goldsmiths of Italy produce ornaments which are both 

 remarkable for taste and workmanship, especially those of 

 Genoa and Venice. I am enabled to shew you some trifling 

 specimens which our workmen cannot equal. 



After the goldsmiths I may mention the makers of bronze 



* I have not seen the railroad which has been lately made from Naples 

 to Castellamare, but am well acquainted with the line ; a novel question in 

 engineering must arise in considering how it is to be protected from the 

 lava of Vesuvius. This I believe will not be very difficult, but it has a more 

 insidious enemy in the earthquake, and a more overwhelming one in the 

 showers of scoria; and ashes which accompany an eruption. 



Railways may be useful in Italy to promote her commercial prosperity, 

 but I pity the man who could think of travelling in such a manner through 

 any part of that country. 



