Chapter XVIII.
Moliterno.
A rapid descent by a pretty good track, brought us to Moliterno, about an hour after dark, wearied and wet, after more than fifteen hours’ walking and riding, twelve of which had been under heavy rain and wind. The Locanda here, though much shattered and in parts unsafe, was still tenantable, and I deemed myself happy in finding shelter and fire, for myself and my party.
Moliterno stands upon a low hill of hard and dense limestone, but generally without distinct evidence of bedding; in some spots to the east of the town there are indications of beds dipping to the west, with a moderate slope. The hill slopes rapidly towards the Sciavra, upon the south of the town, where are the ancient mills from which it derives its name. Monte Spagnoletto stands due north, and a little to the N. W. of it, distant about 212 Italian miles, while round thence to due west are the ridges of the lower Serras that shut out the high table land and basin of Lago Maorno. The town, situated in the midst of rich valleys, seems a thriving place. Several large modern buildings have suffered but little, and there are some in progress of erection. The people here show no lack of energy in clearing away the effects of the earthquake, which, however, has dealt very mercifully with them, in comparison with towns not
