DOI Kapitel:
Chap. I: Bay and Castle of Procida - Evening Hymn - Beautiful View, Observations - the Island of Vivara - Ischia, its Mountains, Eruptions, Appearance, and Population - Nisida - Vesuvius
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62268#0015
Ch. I.
THROUGH ITALY.
5
and Baia rose before me; the Elysian fields and
the groves of Cumce extended between them in
full view still fresh with dew, and bright with the
beams of the new risen sun. No scene perhaps
surpasses that which is now under my eye in na-
tural beauties, and few equal it in those embellish-
ments which the action of the human mind super-
adds to the graces of nature.
These intellectual charms are the most im-
pressive, and even the most permanent; without
them, the exhibitions of the material world be-
come an empty pageant, that pleases the eye for
a moment and passes aw7ay, leaving perhaps a
slight recollection, but producing no improve-
ment. Hence, although Germany, and other
more northern countries, frequently display scenes
both grand and beautiful; yet, if I may judge
of the feelings of other travellers by my own, they
are viewed with indifference, and passed over in
haste. Even the gigantic features of America,
its interminable forests, and its mountains that
touch the skies, its sea-like lakes, and its volcanos
that seem to thunder in another world, may excite
wonder, but can awaken little interest, and cer-
tainly inspire no enthusiasm. Their effect is con-
fined to the spot which they cover, and to the
very hour which rolls over them; they have no
THROUGH ITALY.
5
and Baia rose before me; the Elysian fields and
the groves of Cumce extended between them in
full view still fresh with dew, and bright with the
beams of the new risen sun. No scene perhaps
surpasses that which is now under my eye in na-
tural beauties, and few equal it in those embellish-
ments which the action of the human mind super-
adds to the graces of nature.
These intellectual charms are the most im-
pressive, and even the most permanent; without
them, the exhibitions of the material world be-
come an empty pageant, that pleases the eye for
a moment and passes aw7ay, leaving perhaps a
slight recollection, but producing no improve-
ment. Hence, although Germany, and other
more northern countries, frequently display scenes
both grand and beautiful; yet, if I may judge
of the feelings of other travellers by my own, they
are viewed with indifference, and passed over in
haste. Even the gigantic features of America,
its interminable forests, and its mountains that
touch the skies, its sea-like lakes, and its volcanos
that seem to thunder in another world, may excite
wonder, but can awaken little interest, and cer-
tainly inspire no enthusiasm. Their effect is con-
fined to the spot which they cover, and to the
very hour which rolls over them; they have no