Adriatic^ and the Mountains of Carniola^ Carinthia^ ^c. S71 
us. This was a delicate business too ; we come to a strange 
country, a strange town, and to a still stranger person, and, 
without scruple, request him to give us a lodging. Nor was this 
difficulty all ; for M. Von Madonizza understands not a word of 
German or French, nor we a syllable of Italian. He is a rich 
nobleman, and we, poor botanists. What would be thought of 
it in our own country, if two strangers, habited in so singular, 
and yet mean, a manner, as we were, should come to trouble a 
gentleman, a perfect stranger, in his own house ; and if more, 
they could not say what they wanted, what would become of the 
poor fellows ! However, we proceeded towards the house with 
tolerable courage, and had scarcely reached it, when a well- 
dressed young man appeared, and received us with the words. 
Aha ! botanici ! ” He led us up stairs into an elegant apart- 
ment, invited us to be seated, and to disincumber ourselves of 
our luggage, in the most friendly manner. Now the first step 
was taken, and yet we felt very uncomfortable at not being able 
to address our hospitable entertainer ; but M. Von Madonizza 
obviated this inconvenience by sending for an interpreter, 
through whose medium we readily communicated what we 
wished to say, and received much kind information from him in 
return. Our generous friend proposed to take us with him to 
his country-house, from whence we could examine the produc- 
tions of the soil around, and we need hardly say that we accepted 
this offer with much pleasure. This villa was situated on the 
opposite shore of an arm of the sea, and we were conducted thi- 
ther in a beautiful little vessel, accompanied by M. Von Mado- 
nizza and the interpreter, A basket replenished with a great 
variety of provisions was carried, and also a dozen bottles of 
wine. The passage was performed in a quarter of an hour. On 
the way, our kind landlord spoke of a beautiful plant, whicli 
grew abundantly in his fields, and whose name he was desirous 
to know ; it proved to be Orchis bifolia. In the same situation 
we saw several other beautiful things, such as Trifolium incar^ 
natum^ ccespitosum^ and scabrum.^ J uncus maritiiuus^ &c. &c. 
Our benefactor seemed to take a considerable share in our en- 
thusiasm and pleasure. We soon reached his house, and he led 
us about it and his garden. The noble situation of this fine 
stone-buildjng, which, placed on a hill near the shore, com- 
rp O 
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