SPRINT. AT B0RD1(;HI':RA^ 



and late autumn, when the greatest drought prevails 

 during the remainder of the j'ear? 



What invariably draws me to the South in the 

 spring, in spite of these apparently not very favourable 

 prospects, is the longing for green fields and leafy trees, 

 sunshine and warmth; the assurance of finding by 

 the Mediterranean milder weather than in the North, 

 and the hope of enjo\'ing many sunri}' days — perhaps, 

 if fortune favour, an uninterrupted series of such days. 

 .Vfter the long, bleak, cold, northern ^\■inter tlie contrast 

 is all the more agreeable. We rejoice over the scantiest 

 verdure and welcome every ray ol sunshine. On the 

 Other liand in tlie autumn niany a dweller on the SLin- 

 burnt plains of I^ombardy longs for the fresh Alpine 

 meadows and the lu.xuriant forests. ^Vutumn is usually 

 fine in our northern latitudes; whereas our Marcli and 

 April are justlv notorious. This was the case on the 

 present occasion, for while letters and newspapers brou^lit 

 us complaints of cold and snow north of the Alps, we 

 on the Mediterranean were before long enjo^ ino- the 

 most glorious sunshine. I5v Easter the ^\'eather liad 

 become beautiful. Earth and sky assumed their festal 

 arra\, and were wrapped in the brightest effulocnce. 



Easter Sunda}- found me in Bindighera. Before 

 daj'-break I started to ascend the Monte Xero; but 

 remained spellbound on the Cap d'Ampcglio waitiu"- for 

 the sunrise. Transfigured and spectral Corsica rose from 

 the deep in the far distance. My enchanted gaze first 

 rested upon it, and then wandered to the indented coast 

 which, curving in its wide sweep, seemed as tliDuph it 



