ake the beds and take care
of the rooms. This work, in Italy, is done by men generally, instead of
by women.

"Is there a commissioner attached to this hotel," asked Mr. George,
addressing the servant, and speaking in French, "who accompanies parties
to Vesuvius?"

"Yes, sir, certainly," said the servant.

"What is his name?" asked Mr. George.

"Philippe," replied the man.

"Where is he?" asked Mr. George.

"He is below," said the man.

"Please ask him to come up," said Mr. George. "I want to talk with him
about an excursion to the mountain."

The servant man went down, and pretty soon Philippe appeared. He was a
very intelligent looking young man, neatly dressed, and with a frank and
agreeable countenance.

"This is Philippe, I suppose," said Mr. George, speaking in French.

"Yes, sir," said Philippe.

"Take a seat," said Mr. George. "This lady wishes me to make some
inquiries of you about going up the mountain. Do you speak English?"

"Yes, sir," said Philippe, "a little."

On hearing this Mr. George changed the conversation into the English
language, so that Mrs. Gray might understand what was said, without the
inconvenience and delay of having it interpreted.

"In the first place," said Mr. George, "when ladies ascend the Mountain,
how far do they go in a carriage?"

"To the Hermitage," said Philippe.

"Can you go in a good, comfortable carriage all the way to the
Hermitage?" asked Mr. George.

"O, yes, sir," said Philippe. "We take an excellent carriage from town.
The road is very winding to go up the mountain, but it is perfectly
good. A lady can go up there as comfortably as she can ride about town."

Philippe further said that ladies often went up with parties as far as
the Hermitage, and then, if they did not wish to go any farther, they
remained there until their friends came down.

"What sort of a place is the Hermitage?" asked Mrs. Gray. "Is it an
inn?"

"Yes, madam," said Philippe. "It is an inn. It is a very plain and
homely place, but a lady can stay there very well a few hours."

"Is there a family there?" asked Mrs. Gray.

"No, madam," said Philippe; "it is kept by a monk."

"Let us go, mother," said Josie. "We can go up _there_ as well as not."

"Yes," said Mrs. Gray, "I think I should like to go up at least as far
as there. I can take a book to read, to while away the time while you
are up the mountain; or I can ramble about, I suppose. Is it a pleasant
place to ramble