and as we now beheld it from the heights of Nervi, the imposing sight of its fine spacious bay, filled with the ships of every commercial nation in the old and new world, and the grand amphitheatre of palaces rising above it, glowing in all the pomp and glitter of polished marble, we could not but admit that this fine old town is justly entitled to the soubriquet of Genoa la superba.

On leaving the balmy atmosphere of Genoa, where the orange and the citron, the olive and the fig, the vine and the almond, and every species of exotic plant and flowering shrub exhale their delicious fragrance; we commenced the ascent of the Apennines, when we found ourselves in a climate so different, that we might have fancied ourselves suddenly transported to some country on the banks of the Frozen Oeean. We were, however, in some measure, compensated for this disagreeable change, by a succession of the most interesting, extensive, and picturesque prospects.

After passing through the dreary villages of Ponte-Decimo and Ronco, we arrived at

Arquata, distant about two posts from Genoa, where we found a railroad, which took us in a few hours to Turin. This has been a most gigantic enterprise, and when completed, must be attended with the most beneficial results, politically and commercially, to Piedmont, as it unites the seat of government by rail and telegraph with a naval and commercial station of such importance as Genoa. In every point of view, the states of the King of Sardinia possessing so may fine harbours on the Mediterranean, and now since civil and religious freedom has become the law of the land, which has already given an impulse to commercial enterprize, promises to become by far the wealthiest, and most powerful kingdom in Italy. Her navy is increasing, and notwithstanding the reverses she sustained in her deplorable war with Austria, and the necessity of maintaining in the present state of the continent, an army of a hundred thousand men; her finances are found to be amply sufficient to meet every demand of the state, without having recourse to those oppressive taxes, the curse of

so many despotic governments, that rule by spies and the sword.

The railroad between Arquata and Turin passes through a most interesting country, the far-famed plain of Piedmont-strictly speaking an elevated plateau of vast extent, which lying between the Apennines and the Alps, and uniting with the plain of Lombardy, is everywhere well watered with fine rivers, and of extraordinary fertility. Here the traveller interested in agricultural operations, sees much to admire in the skill and industry with which the land is cultivated. particularly in the process of irrigation, here carried out to the utmost perfection.

To the historian, the plain of Piedmont is equally interesting. Here he may trace out the spot where some of the greatest battles of modern days have been fought, among which the memorable battle of Marengo takes the highest rank, from its influence on the destinies of Europe; still, had it not been for the instantaneous inspiration of the brave Kellerman, who changed a defeat into victory, the career of Napoleon, then only commencing,

might have ended on the plain of Piedmont. Alessandria, so celebrated as a fortress in the wars of Italy, and Asti equally so, as the birthplace of the poet Alfieri, are the two principal cities we find on the route.

Turin, situated at the extreme end of this vast plain, presents to the traveller, one of the most beautiful prospects the eye can rest on; you behold at one glance, a large city spreading out in every direction, embellished with palaces, churches, public buildings, country seats, and all that wealth and taste can give to ornament it; with the additional charm of two noble rivers the Po and the Dora, which here mingling their waters are seen gliding through corn fields and gardens, perhaps the richest in the beautiful peninsula. The whole plain and city surrounded in a semicircular sweep by the vast range of snow clad Alps, that here form the natural barrier between those eternal enemies, the Gauls and the Italians.

CHAPTER X.

Historical sketch of Turin-Princes of the House of Savoy-Their rapid rise to power-Progress of religious and political freedom in Piedmont-Difficulties it had to contend with-First manifestation in 1821 -Disastrous issue of the conflict-Perfidy of Charles Felix and the Prince di Carignan-Reign of the Jesuits-Persecution for political and religious opinions-Military occupation of Piedmont by Austria— Second manifestation of public opinion in 1848Triumph of civil and religious liberty-War with Austria-Causes which led to the defeat of Carlo Alberto and the calamities of Italy.

TURIN is one of the few among the old cities of Italy that does not claim for its founder one of the demi-gods of Troy or Greece. Her historians simply tell us that, about some four thousand