VIRGIL. LAKE AND TOWN OF LUGO. Hic ver assiduum atque alienis mensibus æstas. Figlie di Nereo, che inghirlandate Voi che riempiere le torte conche, Triton, godete di suon festevole Cui ripercuotono l' ime spelonche. MAZZA. THE Lake of Lugo, or, as it is sometimes called, of Pie de Luco, was the Lacus Velinus of the ancients, and is situated in the pleasant Vale of Rieti, a few miles from the Cascade of Terni. It forms the basin, or reservoir, into which the torrents and rivulets that descend from the Apennines are continually flowing, and which, by their frequent inundation, before the channel was cut for the Velino that forms the cascade, proved so detrimental to the inhabitants of the vale of Rieti, and reduced that naturally fertile district to little better than a mere swamp. This useful work was undertaken, as stated, by the Roman consul Curius Dentatus. Tourists are generally so well satisfied with viewing the beauties of the cascade of Terni, that they seldom wish to deviate further from their route. Yet the quiet beauties of the Lake of Lugo would amply reward them for the trouble of seeking it. Having the advantage of some notes, obligingly submitted to us by G. Morant, jun. esq., who was recently tempted to explore the source of the Velino in the Apennine mountains, we obtained from them the following account of the lake. 66 "After proceeding about three miles from the cascade of Terni, we were obliged to leave our carriage, and walking to the side of the rapid river Velino, we were ferried across. The venerable appearance of our aged conductor, his crazy bark, and the turbid stream, reminded us of that prince of ferrymen, Charon. After traversing some short distance we soon had a charming view of the beautiful little lake and village of Lugo. It is surrounded by the richly wooded Apennines; the foliage of aged trees overhanging the lake, and forming one of the most placidly beautiful and secluded scenes we had ever witnessed. The village is but scantily inhabited; and the few who reside there trust principally to the fish of the lake for their subsistence. On a great height commanding the town are the ruins of an ancient feudal castle, the mutilated towers and battlements of which produced a truly wild and picturesque effect at the distance from which we beheld them. "We again embarked in a very rude and primitive sort of boat, and our ancient Charon availed himself of the assistance of his daughter in its management. They rowed us across the lake; and, landing near a wood, we heard a most extraordinary echo, which I never heard surpassed except by that at Simonetta near Milan. Our boatman had provided himself with a large tube, through which he made various noises to show the effect and the repetition of the sound. We departed on our adventure quite delighted with the quiet and sequestered beauty of the romantic lake of Lugo." |