DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0368
264 BIEDA. [chap. xyii.
is of rectangular blocks of tufo, of the size and arrange-
ment which. I have described under the name of emplecton.
The ancient town certainly occupied part, perhaps the
whole, of the modern village. It must have been very
long and narrow, since the height on which it stood forms
but a ridge—a mere spine-bone—between the parallel
glens.
Bieda, like every town and village off the main roads
throughout the Roman State, is a wretched place, "in
linked squalor long drawn out," with no osteria where the
traveller, who values comfort, could venture to pass the
night. There is but one respectable house, and here we
were stopped by the Count of S. Giorgio, who stood at the
door waiting to receive us. He apologised for delaying us ;
but said that the presence of strangers was of so rare
occurrence in this secluded village, that he could not allow
us to pass without inquiring if he could be of service to us.
We learned that he was from Turin, but having bought
some estates in this part of Italy, he had acquired therewith
the title of Duke of Bieda, the honour of magistracy,
and almost feudal dominion over the inhabitants of this
village and its territory. The purchase could only be effected
on these terms, and on the condition of his residing six
months in the year on this spot, which he regarded
as a veritable exile from civilised society. He pointed out
a ruin opposite, as once the palace of the Counts of Anguil-
lara, the old feudal lords of Bieda, who, among other
barbarous privileges, claimed that of forestalling every
bridegroom in their domain—by insisting on which the last
of these fine old Roman gentlemen, three centuries since, fell
a victim to popular fury, and his mansion was destroyed.
Yet much of the power of its feudal chiefs has descended
to the present lord of Bieda, who told us he was almost
absolute; that his will was law; that he had power over the
is of rectangular blocks of tufo, of the size and arrange-
ment which. I have described under the name of emplecton.
The ancient town certainly occupied part, perhaps the
whole, of the modern village. It must have been very
long and narrow, since the height on which it stood forms
but a ridge—a mere spine-bone—between the parallel
glens.
Bieda, like every town and village off the main roads
throughout the Roman State, is a wretched place, "in
linked squalor long drawn out," with no osteria where the
traveller, who values comfort, could venture to pass the
night. There is but one respectable house, and here we
were stopped by the Count of S. Giorgio, who stood at the
door waiting to receive us. He apologised for delaying us ;
but said that the presence of strangers was of so rare
occurrence in this secluded village, that he could not allow
us to pass without inquiring if he could be of service to us.
We learned that he was from Turin, but having bought
some estates in this part of Italy, he had acquired therewith
the title of Duke of Bieda, the honour of magistracy,
and almost feudal dominion over the inhabitants of this
village and its territory. The purchase could only be effected
on these terms, and on the condition of his residing six
months in the year on this spot, which he regarded
as a veritable exile from civilised society. He pointed out
a ruin opposite, as once the palace of the Counts of Anguil-
lara, the old feudal lords of Bieda, who, among other
barbarous privileges, claimed that of forestalling every
bridegroom in their domain—by insisting on which the last
of these fine old Roman gentlemen, three centuries since, fell
a victim to popular fury, and his mansion was destroyed.
Yet much of the power of its feudal chiefs has descended
to the present lord of Bieda, who told us he was almost
absolute; that his will was law; that he had power over the