They first visited the old ruin,
riding in through what was formerly its main entrance. Once inside, they
found the lower walls sufficiently entire to give them an idea of the
size and form of the old fortress. At one end they found the ruins of a
small chapel, where even yet the traces of fresco-painting could be seen
on its walls; near this arose a tall, square tower, ivy-clad to its very
summit, from whence a flock of hawks were flying in and out; the
lightning had so shattered its walls that it threatened every moment to
fall, yet in this dilapidated state it had remained for years, and was
regarded, therefore, as an 'un-tumbling' curiosity. After some time
spent here, which Dexter improved by making a pencil-sketch of the
valley and adjacent mountains, Signor Ercole leading the way, they rode
through a small woods where herds on herds of black hogs were feeding,
to the pasture-grounds where the brood-mares and colts of the Prince
were seen grazing together. Over a hundred head of the purest
blood-stock were here, and Dexter, who was thoroughly conversant with
horse-flesh, passed the highest encomiums of praise on many of the
animals. Riding on, they next saw quite a number of oxen, but the
superintendent informed them that these were only a few kept to perform
the farm-work, the large herds belonging to the estate being at this
season of the year driven miles away to feed upon other lands of the
Prince. Continuing their ride, the party next came to the wheat-fields,
extending far and wide, like those of Illinois, for a hundred acres or
more: here the harvesters, most of whom were from the Abruzzi, were
busily engaged, men and women, in loading the large carts with
wheat-sheafs, the grain being all cut, and consequently many of the
laborers having returned to their distant homes. Returning from the
fields, Signor Ercole now invited them to enter the farmhouse. This was
a very large stone house whitewashed, looking as they approached it more
like a garrison for several regiments than a residence for a few
families, and a store-house for agricultural implements and crops. The
lower floor of this long building was taken up with stables and offices,
but mounting a wide stone staircase, our artists found themselves in a
large room scrupulously neat, with whitewashed walls, very high
ceilings, and whips, guns, dogs, tables, account-books, stone floors and
rough seats, making a curious mingling of monastery, squire's office,