The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-02
Letters from Italy, by Mrs. ]. G. B.
FLORENCE, March II, 1917.

have been to-day To see some of the palaces.
was all over the Piai palace, one of the finest
here. No fee is allowed to be taken, 80 walked
over it all, without being moested, or being
bothered TO go here, or 90 there. The paintings
in these galleries are all by the most celebrated
artists. This magnificent collection was com
menced by the family of the Medici, and IN
creased considerably by the Austrian dynasty.
There are fourteen salons for these galleries.
Each bears its name from the fresco paint
ings on the ceiling. The first five bear the
name of planet, with the illusions relative 10
the five principal virtues of the Grand Duke Cos
mo. the first to whom this collection isdedcated.
The first is the Salon of Venus, which makes
allusion TO Cosmos goodness, representing Mi
nerva raising youngman from the hands of We
nus, and presenting him to Hercules. This is all
in fresco on the ceiling, and with so much ex-
preston that it is impossible for any person to
mistake the subject. Then there are the paint
ngs by Salvador Rosa, Tintoretti, Rubens, and
all those fine painters / saw beautiful painting
there of the Virgin and Child, by that famous
Spanish painter, Murilla, and Holy Family, by
Andrea del Sarto But what attracted my atten-
ton the most, and rivited me to the spot, was a
portrait of Leopold de Medicis, as baby, the
you will laugh at me for what am going to say,
and call it affectation; but really could not re-
sist the temptation of going and kissing it,
natural was it. There was the little thing lying
as if awake, on his pillow, and the little cheeks
heated little, as if by sleep. 1t precisely
looked as my own little babe used TO look
after il awoke out of refreshing sleep I
know you will excuse my weakness. | looked
at it, believe steadily for half an hour, hardly
believing it painting, everything about it
was so natural. The painter is liberia Tit.
would go from Paris TO Florence any day to
that one painting.
The next is the Salon de Mars also represent
ing some act of Cosmos life another, the Salon
of the Illiad, on the ceiling of which are subjects
drawn from Homer's Illad You see there all the
divinities which took part in the siege of Troy
Jupiter is the most elevated. Near him is
Aurora lower down you see Juno seated,
and having at her side Iris, her messenger.
Luigi Sabatelus is the author of this beau
tful work. There is also a very fine portrait of
Salvador Rosa your favorite painter, painted by
himself.
have not time now to enter more fully into
description of all these beautiful paintings; but
| must not forget to mention the Flora Salon,
where is the celebrated Venus of Canova, stand
ing in the centre of the room enclosed by
grating. 1t is said to be rival to the celebrated
Venus de Medicis, in the Florentine gallery, and
well worthy of it, for consider it far supe-
rior. | decidedly think the proportions of Ca
nova's Venus are the most natural. AS regards
the Venus de Medicis of Praxitees, Uor it is sup
posed to be his work think her neck too long for
symmetry, and her feet also but of course, it will
not do for me to condemn what has been the adj
miration of ages. But decidedly think Canova's
has the advantage. There is no black mail in
that, hope; for poor Canova, | suppose, has
something else to think of besides making
statues.
have not time to say much tonight, as start
early tomorrow for Rome, and am very tired;
but shall, when have time, give you an account
Of all the other interesting things have seen
here. My courier tells me | must be up bright
and early tomorrow morning, for / have long
journey before me, and to be sure to make me
rise in time, he puts in, cit is very dangerous,
you know, Madame, to be out after sunset and,
of course, that is sufficient for me- hope you
enjoy as good health as do. have not enjoyed
better for six years eat well walk well, feel WELL
and laugh well. Would you believe that it is so
cold here to-day that all the ladies have muffs.
was wishing for my sables So away start to-
morrow morning again.
The LICENSE QUEsTIoN.-The returns OF the
town elections on the license question, are pour
ing in upon US thick and fast, and show a tremen
dous and overwhelming revolution Of public
opinion in this matter within year. With but
few exceptions, every town heard from, has
given nrge majority in favor of granting Ii
and on
derment at this result, but for ourselves we must
say that we expected it; reaction was natural
under the circumstances. Public opinion some
times commits many absurd and ridiculous
pranks, but it will invariably get right in the end.
For several years past the temperance men
have carried on ridiculous warfare against all
who were in the habit of using spurious liquors
of any kind. To such length did they go at
one time, that they denounced the use of WINE
on the affairs of our churches-stigmatised every
vender of,liquor, from the merchant who import
ed it, to the poor devil who sold it at three cents
glass. Their orators, in their phrenzied dis
courses, denounced our hotel keepers as muir
derers; and so far did their intemperance carry
them, that they applied for and received the aid
of the law to help them in their crusade.
Now what have they gained by their exertions
to compel men by force to abstain from drinking
intoxicating liquors' The very instrument that
they used to further the cause, has been used
against them; and they find themselves flat on
their backs, after two or three years of trouble
RI the advocates of temperance had used lit
tie more of that virtue themselves, in their ef-
forts to instil their notions into citizens they
might have been more successful than they have
been. They would not now have the mortihca.
ton of knowing that their exertions have been
made in vain. A drunkard cannot be reclaimed
by cali ,g him hard names, and overdosine him
with temperance tracts and speeches from ora
tors who get drunk to-day, lecture against the sin
tomorrow, and then be picked up drunk again
the next dsv