9Q GKAPE CULTUKE AND WINE,3iIi\.KING. 



CHAPTER VI. 



ITALY :— WINE AND SILK. 



Turin. — Passports. — Leave for Genoa. — Vines and Mulbemes. — Plowing. — Grain 

 Crops. — Manuring. — Asti and its Wines. — Eeach Genoa. — ^The Birthplace of 

 Columbus. — Narrow Streets. — Professor Isnard. — -Procure Vines. — Nova. — The 

 Silk aianufactory. — Jealousy of Visitors. — Scanty Information. — Raising Silk- 

 worms. — Return. — Efiects of Asti Wine. — Return to Genoa. — Wine-making in 

 Italy. — No Berths for Civita Vecchia. — Leave for Marseilles. — The Voyage. — 

 Laying by. — Extra Charge for Board. — Arrival at Marseilles. 



September 6. — Finding that nothing in the way of wine or silk 

 raising can be done in Turin, I started this day for Genoa, through 

 the town of Asti, where the best wine of modern Italy is said to 

 be made. Before leaving Turin I thought it would be better to 

 have my passport vised by the Pope's embassador, therefore I 

 sent it to that officer, but was surprised to hear that I must first 

 go to the American minister, as he had officially requested him 

 and all other ministers not to vise any American passports unless 

 first seen and vised by himself. I then sent the servant to the 

 American minister, who requested me to call upon him. This 

 annoyed me considerably •, but still, as it had to be done, and as I 

 intended to call upon the minister anyhow, I went, and was re- 

 ceived kindly. lie apologized for putting me to so much trouble, 

 but such were his instructions with regard to all. He signed our 

 passports without charge ; and, thanking him, we bowed ourselves 

 out, and went to the Pope's embassador, who made no farther 

 trouble. 



Turin is the present residence of Victor Emanuel. It is a hand- 

 some city, the houses being built in modern style, the streets wide 

 and clean. Some fine public squares adorn the city, also some 

 fine fountains ; but, above all, it is very conveniently built for a 

 hot climate. Its side-walks are almost all arched over, so that 

 one may go almost all over the city without being exposed to the 

 sun or rain. 



At three o'clock we left Turin. Here the country is rolling 

 bills, more yellow clay than sand. On these hills are planted 



