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Pratolino. — Mugello. — Colossal statue of the Appennino.
Monte Senario. — Vicchio. — Vallombrosa, ec. ec.
PRATOLINO, a sort of garden or rather park be-
longing to the Grand Duke, six miles distant from
Florence on the road to Bologna, is a favourite
place for picnics, and equestrian excursions. There are
several large and noble Villas on this road, amongst
which may be mentioned Villa Galli, residence of the
English Minister, Villa Normanby, Villa Catalani on
the left, Villa Salviati which we saw yesterday, Villa
Capponi, etc. As you ascend, the road becomes
steeper and steeper, when once fairly on the top,
you come to a large dreary sort of field on the left,
in the middle of which stands a solitary cross; this
place called Trespiano is the universal burying
ground of all those who are not sufficiently rich to
be buried in convents or churches. Every night
at 1 o’clock a dead cart, carro dei morti, arrives here
from Florence; the bodies are thrown into a hole,
the priest mutters a few words, and all is over, not
a cross or stone to mark the spot, not a friend to