The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-04-11
lWHoLE No. 2Sl9.

protane objects, of human passions and de-
Votlonal feelings, must shock every person
OF correct taste, to say nothing of moral or
religious principles.
10 the church of Santa Croce we paid
several visits, chiefly on account of its in
tefesilng associations. On entering the
front door, the eye of the visitant is at once
arrested by the tomb of Michael Angelo.
erected against the wall to the right. It is
enough to know, that the ashes of such a
man, equally distinguished for his genius,
his skill, his patriotism, and noble attach
ment to liberty, sleep beneath the pavement.
But the monument itself is worthy of his
memory, and furnishes another proof that
his countrymen are much more fond of
heaplng honors upon the dead, than of do
ing justice to the living.* It consists of
pyramidal pile of marble, which rises above
splendid sarcophagus. Among its orna-
ments are figures of Architecture, Sculp-
lure, and Paintings, with their appropriate
insignia, designed to be emblematic of the
three great departments of the fine arts, in
winch this astonishing man attained an AL
most equal degree of eminence. A little
medallion OF his own painting also forms
one OF Its most interesting embellishments.
few feet further on in the same aisle.
the vlsltant finds the sepulchral urn Of
Machlavel, with figure of history holding
his medallion. In the minds of most of nv
readers, prejudice is probably associated
with his name, which has become a gener-
lc term in our language. to express 4 sort
OF lesuitical refined, wilv. and CUNNING
policy. Such a stigma, it is believed. has
arisen rather from the calumnies of his en-
emles, tnan nom a ralI CONSTRUCTION -or HI.
writings. At all events, the Florentines
consider Machlavel as one of the most IL
iustrlous men of his age, distinguished a.
ike Tor his talents and his devoted attach
ment to republican principles.
In the character of old GaEleo-he
that was denounced as a hereto for in
venting the telescope, and broaching the
dangerous doctrine, that the earth moves
round the sun, instead of the sun round the
earth-there can be no mistake His tomb
IS IN the other aisle of this church, nearly
opposite that of Michael Angelo. Not
outstanding the opinion of critics, the de-
sign appeared to me peculiarly appropriate.
The monument is surmounted BY two fie-
ures, one representing Geometry, and the
other, Astronomy, emblematic of the de-
partments Of science, in which the philoso-
pher particularly exceled. lie owes his
pile of sCtlptured marble to the munifi-
cence of private family; for like all the
great men of Florence, he died an exile
rom his native city, prosecuted, blind, and
pennyless. The events of his life are too
well known to need recapitulation. lie
is said to have been born on the day of
Michael Angeles death, and.on the day of
his death, Sir Isaac Newton was born. If
an unbroken cham OF InUeIItcU &urt1u All
most lead one to believe in the Pythagore-
an doctrine of the TRANSPORTATION of souls.
Son the downfall of republican liberty, Michael
Angelo, who had mantulfy struggled for its sup
port became a sell-exie from his country, indig-
nantly retiring TO Rome, whence he refused to
return, till his remains were restored to his ma.
tive earth by his eusIaved and degraded country.
men.