"March 21st. — To-day it is my fate to describe
the most blasd excursion in the world, one that is
quite threadbare even to myself : we went to Bam."

Another day was devoted to shops ; lava and
coral ornaments tempted them not in vain, and the
Etruscan vases of Giustiniani. The weather continued
stormy and the sea roared beneath their windows
" like uncaged lions."



Southern Skies. 205

He says of Cumae : " The Cave of the Sibyl is no
great affair. It seems to have been the city residence
of her ladyship, whence she went to bathe at the Tar-
tarean Lake."

"Easter -Sunday, March 31J/. — To-day is my
birthday, and the anniversary of my departure from
New York. Certainly one year has taken off not a
little of the edge of youthful adventure, not a little of
the vivida vis of life. I got a letter from Percival to-
day. He is pleased with Holy Week in Rome, and
will join me here for Sicily."

On the first of April, the Curtises and Mr. Barnard
left Naples in the Francesco Primo for Leghorn ; but the
rough sea prevented much progress, and the steamer,
having received an injury to her piston, was obliged to
put back. Mr. Appleton, on his return from Paestum,
an expedition of two days, found them still at Naples ;
he also found his friend Percival, and was ready to
depart.
