372 VILLA PIUMA. 



Mathematics at the LTniversitv of Genoa, and lectures on 

 tlie calcukis. He spends the vacations only in his Villa 

 at Sestri Levante, or at another estate in the Polcevera 

 valley. 



The fee-ling of gratitude, that every visitor to the 

 \^illa Piuma entertains for its owner, is increased b^' the 

 mcmorA" of contrar\- experience in other places on the 

 Riviera. And even at Portofino, near at hand, the traveller 

 finds the gates closed and is confronted by notices in several 

 languages forbidding his entrance. Ol what avail is it 

 that the estate is thrown open on certain da-^s and at 

 fixed hours. One may not be able to come again. The 

 community should see to it that at least a few of the 

 spots which command views should remain open to all. 

 But everything about Portofino has been sold to foreign 

 owners. It is only due to the modest statue of the 

 Madonna del Capo, which stands on the east end of 

 the promontor^', that ever\' free outlook tVom this spot 

 is not enclosed. A narrow foot-path has had to be left 

 leading to the Madonna, that the devotee may bring his 

 offering ot (lowers. The owner of the plots of land 

 bordering this path has therefore been compelled to build 

 bridges over it and, with rare taste, he has painted these, 

 as well as all his buildings, with broad black and yellow 

 stripes! 



In the neighbourhood of Sestri Levante the visitor 

 is better off. lie can enjo\' full and uninterrupted views 

 Ircmi all the roads that follow the coast at some distance 

 above the sea. I used generally to walk in the afternoon 

 either eastwards to the "Telegrapho", or in the opposite 



