WHO has not heard of this beautiful sheet of water, either through historic legend or romantic tale? Its principal charm, however, is its wonderful natural beauty, which a love of art has contributed, in no small degree, to enhance and celebrate. It is an object of travel to men of leisure, affords many a lovely scene for the glowing canvas of the painter, and is the desire of all whose fancy has been aroused by descriptions of its varied beauties.

      The climate is mild, the heat, even in summer, being seldom oppressive; and the rich variety of the scenery is not to be surpassed On the north rise the Swiss Alps; on the south the rich and luxuriant fields of Italy burst on the view, forming a paradise brighter than the brightest creation of the poet's fancy. The eye is delighted by the succession of natural wonders which are developed while following the windings of this beautiful sheet of water. First you behold the sublime crown of mountains by which it is nearly encircled, below them stands Mt. Rosa on the bank of the Laveno, and far away in the distant blue Simplon towers in solitary grandeur; wood-crowned hights overhang the clear waters, beautiful villages rest on the declivities, stately towers rise, and blooming gardens wreathe the Italian shore.

      The lake is bounded on the north by the Swiss canton Tessin, on the east by the Lombardian district, and on the west by the kingdom of Sardinia: thus three states claim a right in this lovely spot. The Ticino, on the north, brings down its tribute from the Alps; on the east the Toccia contributes its melted snows from the glacier sources of the Simplon; and on the west the Tresa brings the sparkling waters of the Luganeer Sea.

      Lago Maggiore is about nine miles in length, from north to south; and in this distance it describes three beautiful curves. Its southern outlet is through the Ticino, a stream which flows into the Po. The breadth varies, and thus contributes greatly to its beauty. Between Raveno and Laveno, where a number of islands form a small archipelago, it is about a mile and a half across; but in the southern part, between Arona and Angera, it is only twelve hundred paces.

      Of the islands scattered over its glassy surface, the Borromeo Islands are worthy of particular notice; they are four in number, and in name as follows: Isola San Giovanni, Isola Pescadore, Isola Bella, and Isola Madre--the last two are of incomparable beauty, and deserve a particular description.

      Isola Bella was originally a naked rock, but, by the care and labor bestowed upon it by the Borromeo family, from whom it received its name, it has been transformed into a blooming island. The toil and labor it must have cost to cover it with rich soil, and adorn it with all the plants and flowers congenial to that clime, can not easily be imagined. Indefatigable perseverance, however, has changed the naked rock into a luxuriant garden, and it stands as a monument of the taste and genius of those by whom it has been made to smile. The rarest plants abound. Palms, groves of olive, clumps of orange-trees, laurel, pomegranates, and cypress rise there; bowers of jasmine, myrtle, and roses fill the air with fragrance; and ever and anon green spots burst on the view, where bubbling fountains send forth their pearly waters; magnificent statues embellish the scene, and golden pheasants charm the eye with their rich plumage.

      Smaller, less dazzling, but still lovelier, is Isola Madre. All the plants of the former isle, with the addition of the fig and cactus, abound there, and a palace of exquisite beauty rises in the midst.

      The view of the lake and its banks, when chestnuts, mulberries, and olives are ripening, is one of indescribable beauty. In a word, nature seems there to have concentrated all her beauties to form a perfect Elysium.

[The Ladies' Repository 11 (December 1851): 448.]

      William Baxter's "Lago Maggiore" was first published in The Ladies' Repository: A Monthly Periodical Devoted to Literature and Religion, Vol. 11, No. 12, December 1851, p. 448. This volume, edited by B. F. Tefft, was published in Cincinnati by L. Swormstedt and J. H. Power and in New York by G. Lane and L. Scott.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 16 April 2000.
Updated 28 June 2003.