TUSCANY. 



675 



weeks during the winter ; in the valleys it scarcely continues a day. Rain iS lot conitnon, but 

 the dews are copious. On the Apennines, and in the delightful valley of the Arno, the air is x 

 always healthy. In summer the southerly winds are very oppressive, and the region of the 

 ]Maremma is unhealthy. 



5. Soil. The vale of the Arno is rich and well cultivated. The soil on the Apennines is 

 stony. The coast is low, sandy, and in some parts, swampy. In the southern part begins that 

 desolate region called the J\Iaremma, the soil of which consists of white clay impregnated with 

 sulphur and alum, and emits constantly mephitic vapors. The Malaria or unhealthy exhala- 

 tions of this region have obliged the population to emigrate, or swept them ofi" by disease. In 

 those parts which are cultivated, the peasants from the mountains come down to gather in the har- 

 vest, but they often fall victims to the Insidious air. This region extend? .»;;m near Leghorn to 

 Terracina, about 200 miles, and from the sea to the foot of the Apennines, from 25 to 30 miles. 



6. Minerals. Sulphur is produced here in great quantities, as also saltpetre, alum, and vitriol. 

 The Tuscan marble is highly valued. 



7. Face of the Country. Tuscany is admired for its romantic scenery. The boldness, 

 grandeur, and rich luxuriance of the country are hardly anywhere equaled. The Valdarno or 

 vale of the Arno is one of the most delightful regions in the world. One half of Tuscany 

 consists of mountains, producing only timber ; one sixth is composed of hills covered with 

 vineyards and olive gardens ; the remainder consists of plains. 



8. Cities. Florence, the capital, stands on the Arno, 50 miles from the sea. It is 6 miles 

 in compass, and, next to Rome, is the most beautiful city in Italy. It is built in a plain skirt- 

 ed by the Apennines. Antique towers and remains of fortifications, old convents, and other 

 picturesque ruins crown the inferior eminences around the city, and recall the remark of Arios- 

 to, that, on seeing the hills, so full of palaces, it appears as if the soil produced them. The 

 city is surrounded by walls ; the buildings are magnificent, and the streets well paved and kept 

 remarkably clean. The Via Larga or Broadvvay, is full of noble palaces. Most of the other 

 streets are narrow. The Ducal palace, the cathedral, the church of Santa Croce, and many 

 other edifices are noted for their size and splendor. The Medicean gallery is rich in those 

 treasures of painting and sculpture, which draw to this city visiters from every quarter of the 

 civilized globe. Here stands that Venus which enchants the world. The Magliabecchian libra- 

 ry has 120,000 volumes ; others have 90,000 and 50,000. There are many splendid private 

 galleries and libraries. Florence contains a great number of English residents. It was the 

 cradle of the arts at the time of their regeneration, and the birth])lace of Dante, Machiavelli, 

 Filicaja, Guicciardini, Michael Angelo, Galileo, and Amerigo Vespucci. Population, 80,000. 



Pisa, on the Arno, near the sea, was once the capital of a republic, the rival of Genoa and 



Venice. It is now decayed, but can 

 still boast some marble churches, a mar- 

 ble palace, and a marble bridge. Its an- 

 cient towers may be traced in the walls 

 of modern houses. The streets are 

 broad, and the Lung' Arno, which ex- 

 tends along both banks of the river, is 

 much admired. The cathedral is a large 

 Gothic edifice of marble. Near it 

 stands that remarkable structure, the 

 Leaning Touer. It is 190 feet high, 

 and overhangs its base 15 feet, seeming 

 to threaten a fall at every instant ; yet, 

 it has stood ^100 years, and endured the 

 shock of earthquakes which have over- 

 thrown many a perpendicular structure.* 

 Leaning Tower. "Po a spectator, looking dowp from 



ihe top, the effect is terrific. Pisa has a university with a library of 60,000 volumes. In the 



" Mucli dispute has arisen, whetlierthe obliquity of this neighborhood declines 1o the s;iiiic side. The soil is soft, 

 lower was designed or accidental. There is now little and water springs rnnii it at the depUi of six feet. Mr. Si- 

 doubt Ihnt it was oceusinncd by accident ; and that the mond states, tint Uie holes left for the scaffolding are still 

 tower having been carried up about half way perpendieu- visible in the wall, ami are at right angles with it, which 

 iarly, the foundation sunk on one side, and the building proves the building to l;ave been upright at its commence- 

 wa'? finished in its present condition. A belfry in the ment. 



