Old Calabria. E-book. Formato PDF Norman Douglas   -  Forgotten Books, 2017  - 

I Find it hard to sum up in one word the character of Lucera - the effect it produces on the mind; one sees so many towns that the freshness of their images becomes blurred. The houses are low but not undignified; the streets regular and clean; there is electric light and somewhat indifferent accommodation for travellers; an infinity of barbers and chemists. Nothing remarkable in all this. Yet the character is there, if one could but seize upon it, since every place has its genius. Perhaps it lies in a certain feeling of aloofness that never leaves one here. We are on a hill - a mere wave of ground; a kind of spur, rather, rising up from the south - quite an absurd little hill, but sufficiently high to dominate the wide Apulian plain. And the nakedness of the land stimulates this aerial sense.There are some trees in the "Belvedere" or public garden that lies on the highest part of the spur and affords a fine view north and eastwards. But the greater part were only planted a few years ago, and those stretches of brown earth, those half-finished walks and straggling pigmy shrubs, give the place a crude and embryonic appearance. One thinks that the designers might have done more in the way of variety; there are no conifers excepting a few cryptomerias and yews which will all be dead in a couple of years, and as for those yuccas, beloved of Italian municipalities, they will have grown more dyspeptic-looking than ever. None the less, the garden will be a pleasant spot when the ilex shall have grown higher; even now it is the favourite evening walk of the citizens.

South Wind. E-book. Formato PDF Norman Douglas   -  Forgotten Books, 2017  - 

Whence now this novel and unpleasant sensation in the upper gastric region? Most annoying! He had dined discreetly at his hotel the evening before; had breakfasted with moderation. And had he not voyaged in many parts of the world, in China Seas and round the Cape Was he not even then on his return journey from Zanzibar P No doubt. But the big liner which deposited him yesterday at the thronged port was a different con cern from this wretched 'tub, reeking with indescribable odours as it rolled in the oily swell of the past storm through which the Mozambique had ridden without a tremor. The benches, too, were frightfully uncomfort able, and sticky with sirocco moisture under the breath less awning. Above all, there was the unavoidable spectacle of the suffering passengers, natives of the country; it infected him with misery. In attitudes worthy of Michelangelo they sprawled about the deck, groaning with anguish; huddled up in corners with a lemon — prophylactic-against sea-sickness, apparently pressed to faces which, by some subtle process of colour adaptation, had acquired the complexion of the fruit tottering to the taffrail.