The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-24

Americans In Italy.
Correspondence Of the Newark Advertiser.1
FLORENCE March a. 1854
The United States frigate Cumberland the Dag ship Of
steam rsats ssransc Captain Long arrived al Isshorn
few days ago. The Commodore with his family, and
several Of HIS officers have awaited themselves Of the
received those marks q attention which illustrate the
respect entertained here for the service TO which they
berland, and Mr. Yard LIST Lieutenant Of the sarsnac,
spa also Of New Jersey are IN the number Of v.sers
Naples and Sicily and probably to the Levan The St.
Louis, Captain Ingraham, Is now at Constantinope,
whittier the saranac recently carried Mr. Spence
late Minister resident, Is at Rome with his family
Rome Of course, is the central point Of interest In
Italy, though those who visit Florence first, find SO
much to interest and instruct them here that they
feel in no haste to prosecute their pilgrimage to the
no sacS c u
residence does Florence where one can live well
and pleasantly for less money, and with fewer ncon-
here exempt exgences and restrictions elsewhere
imposed. Any who chooses may attend its enter
without having minister to present them to the ducal
family obtain invitations by leaving request with
their banker The balls in fact present more the aP
pearance of White House gatherings than OF the
recherche assemblies Of other Italian courts The English
residents at Florence have always outnumbered the
Americans the cost OF living in England induces many
to live abroad; it would that the extravaganza
of cities is every day lessening the difference In
deed the reports this head which come across the
"American extravaganza has become q by word with
the English themselves who do not spend money prodi
galy-being, as body, economical-but through the
necessities OF society An English nobleman, now resi-
ding at Naples who has income of sixty thousand dol
lars he cannot afford to live as his rank obges him
to- in England while in Italy he live like prince on
half of it. Besides the English who live here for econo
mys sake there quite circle Of artists and authors
who make Florence their residence on account OF the
advantages it affords them professionally
Among the English authors living here Mrs Somer
vile, the Brownings Charles Lever Mr. Kirkup, the
rtoe Mr. rof thQ
and who has himself volume Of poems now in press;
and Mrs Trollope, who made debut in authorship
prolific brain has produced eighty whine volumes Of
tales-provng that weeds grow apace.o Not unpro-
ductyey however for her since she has reapcd there
from abundant pccunary harvest and eccupiesa
beautiful villa built by herself and her who is also
successful story.teer. Mrs Trollope has Of the
largest and choicest Of the private libraries In the city
The library is expansive Gothic hall, the furni
ture being all after the antique, and decorated with
statuary paintings In this hall she holds her satur
day morning receptions and, strange say she affects
Americans much to hunt them up, and loads them
with Inequalities. She Is afabe pleasant old lady of
her pecunary misadyentres in the United States than
with the people she ridiculed in her spleen.
Mrs Somerville is about seventy three years old
in excellent state of preservation, and altogether
remarkable She rises early, devotes her time
tmes herself with echns from
painting in OIL and embroidery; thus showing that the
pursuit of mathematics is not incompatible with love
for the fine arts No living woman ever received more
fattering compliments from her own government and
from great of all nations, than Mrs Somervie her
bust stands the British Academy by the side Of Sir
Isaac Newtons and Baron Humboldt has called her he
greatest of women.n She is perfectly simple and
entatous in her manners and refers to her own
abors which, Notwithstanding the extensive circulation
of her works have yielded her small pecunary benefit
But she has pension from the British Crown and lives
here with her husband retired surgeon of the navy,
and their two daughters going much into society," being
welcomed everywhere and admired for her quiet
" in palace; gives dinners sparkling with his wit and
wine; loves horses like true Irish Engshman rides
the oascne with his rosy checked daughters either
saticn being full of hurnor as his Irish tales.
Mr.. Tennyson lives retired though in easy and ele
Soahn ana he s
the Casa Guidi an old palace never go into society,
but receive their friends quietly in the evening Mrs.
strong with such gentle, unpretending manners and
such pleasant expression of face that one to look
out Of such apparently delicate unperturbed
nature. Mr.. Browning is alive with good nature and
humor full Of practical knowledge, and as plain and
smooth in talk he is obscure and rough in his writ
ngs in short is the with Mrs. b, the very OPP
posite of the book-Browning Mr.. Read one of our
American artists, in Florence, has painted lately
cabinet portraits of BOTH and they truthful like
They belong TO gentleman in PHILADELPHIA and
will give all who see them there just notions of the
originals.
Mr. Read is now engaged upon several we'll conceived
COMPOSITIONS which will do him credit Mr. Edwin White
of New York who has been studying in France
and Germany is here painting SUCCESSFULLY he has
conceived series of pictures American subjects
scenes history OF the Purlrans-twO oil
which already DONE His chief work, however, as
yet is picture of Columbus taking the sacrament pre-
vous to embarhng his expedition in search of the
world II is effective painting, fun of harmonythe
sm, religious light" of the sanctuary, the benignant
counenance of the officiating priest and the appearance
Of the great adventurer, hurbly kneeng whose face is
solemn with rerous intent, yet beamiDg with earnest
faith produces in the boholder feeling in unison with
tic occasion, and almost to hear the organ
tone timed to his own emotions while he gazes.
Mr.. Nichols, Of Connecticut, who has just left for
Rome. ainted during his six months sojourn, fine
mad lam fxpht daSf; har
chaser lsor Kearney) for villa in the vicinity Of New
ark, are other paintings by Messrs. White, Read, KEEL
logg Could and Tait-a of whom have received orders
from the cfiuent Jersey The last mentioned
artist MIR TAFT, though very young gives much promise
landscape painter He is from Cincinnati which
has produced several artists of distinction. Kellogg
and Mr. Could who have resided in Florence longer than
any other American painters both highly successful
in portraits neither has as yet produced any remarka
bic compositions Mr. Hart the Kentucky sculptor
missonsd by the ladies of Virginia to make statue of
Henry Clay, has recently produced charming buss
Of young American ladies from only sittngs,
with the aid Of an ingenious measuring instrument his
invention, for which he intends to take pa
tent, and which proves rare mechanical genius. He
cannot fail to win distinction Indeed American artists
at Florence form strong and respectable representative
body, with Powers for its head.