Through narrow streets, which a year ago were silent and deserted, I follow a great multitude pressing towards the river-side.

A sudden turn brings me to the quay, and an illuminated city rises before me across the Arno.

The glare is so strong that at first I can scarcely distinguish anything save the one grand blaze of light.

Then, by degrees, I see that every house and palace-front along those mile-long quays is lit up by rows on rows of lamps, scattered everywhere.

Arches and parapets and bridges are all marked out against the dark back-ground of the sky by the long lines of light, and in the depths of the dull stream that rolls at my feet a second inverted city sparkles brightly.