HERMIT’S CELL

Evening Star, Issue 20586, 11 September 1930, Page 11

HERMIT’S CELL

OH ALPINE PEAK ELECTRIC HEATING AND LIGHTING. ZURICH, August 27. A modern hermit’s cell is just being finished on the Monte Generoso, the beautiful peak in the very heart of the Italian Lakes. It is situated about 100 ft below the top, within 6ft of the Swiss-Italian boundary, ami can only be approached by the small footpath which leads along the frontier on the narrow crest of the mountain, and is only used by the Customs officers on their patrols. Otherwise the hermitage answers its purpose splendidly, standing right above a sheer descent ol 4,000 ft,, a place where an eagle might build its eyrie. Clinging to the bare, precipitous rock of the mountain side without any space to walk around, it looks like a swallow’s nest. There is a door at the back and a window in front looking down into the abyss, and far upon the lakes and mountains. But. it is well furnished and provided with electric current for lighting, cooking, and heating purposes. On its side there is a special water tank, in which the rainwater is being gathered. The future hermit, who is at present staying at the Kulm Hotel of the Monte Generoso, superintending the finishing touches to her cell, is a member of the Italian aristocracy, Marques a Vitalescbi. A Dutch lady by birth, she married the marquese, wjio is twenty years older than she. The Generoso was ever her favourite spot. But her husband never accompanied her. The reason for her retirement is her nerves. She is said not to he able to bear human faces and voices. She will not see anyone in her cell. Her supplies will be slipped down from the top on a wire cord, up to the hotel by the little railway, and thence carried to the top by mules. This costs money. The total costs of the very modest little dwelling therefore rise to the very’ considerable sura of 62,000 lire.