Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-06-11
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Foreign Correspondence.

FLORENCE, April 9Th, 1856.
Dear -----; My journey from Rome to this place
was most delightful since in addition the pleasure
derived from the beauty of the country through which
We passed, had the further qualification Of being
accompanied by my friends We engaged Vetturi-
no In Rome who for a fixed sum, agreed to take MS
To Florence, via Peruga, and rs the llibernau cv-
pressed IT, eat as on he wdY-that is, pny all tly-
ern hils-a usual arrangement in this country. Our
route lay through many of the most interesting his
torical places in Italy Fuligno, Peragia Arrez2o
Terni, with is wonderful cascade eommemoratcd by
Byron, aud numerous others Our road wss. for
some distance, the ancient Hamiaan Uay and five
days travel brought us to Florenee-to the lover of
art the most interesting city of Italy. \ few hours
after my arrival was gazing upon 1.-the statue that
enehants the world" in the tribune of the Utizzi Pal
ace whose galleries offer the richest collection of
the gems of art to be found in the world. He would
be n bold man who would undertake to estimate. in
dollars the value of this collection. After becoming
weary of roaming through gallery after gallery until
my eyes ached and my powers of appreciation were
exhausted strolled out to view the Duomo and Cam
panile-the latter being, by many, considered the
most beautiful architectural structure in the world
At first felt sense of disappointment, owing prob
ably to the novel effect of the yariegated marbles
which mcrust the exterior. After n short time
however, the eye becomes accustomed to this pecu-
nrity aud before many days every observer possess
ed of architectural taste will aequiesec in the general
verdict which places the Campanile in the highest
rank Of constructive art 1t grows upon the eye
wonderfully. Near the Duomo is the Baptstry, with
gates of bronze, which Michael Angelo declared were
fit to be the gates of Heaven. They form perfect
gallery of scripture from the creation to the
orucdxion the principal figures being in high relief.
The view from the top of the Cathedral is very fine,
comprising the beautiful valley of the Arno the
charming Fiesoe and snow-clad mountains in the
distance, In ascending, ones attention is drawn to
the interior of the dome which is painted in ftesco
the subject being the torments Of souls in Purgatory
and the treatment in accordance with the ideas OF
Dante Neither conception execution appeared
to me very merorous l made an early call
upon Mr. Barbee. ltisquite unnecessary to say that
received a most kind and hearty welcome, both
from him ana Mrs H., and that every desire was man
Tested ny them both to render my stay in Florence
as agreeable as possible. found Mr.. b. in his stud
| 10, engaged upon the model of his second work
"ihe fisher Girl | can truly say that was both
surprised and delighted with this work 1t repre-
sents young and beautiful female seated upon the
ground and mendng net. The position chosen il
|
opements of the female form. While the outline Is
beautifully rounded and there is a delicious plump-
ness in the figure, every muscular deyelopemeut and
action is faithfully delncated even to the most min
ute. The hair is cofed in an original manner, and
bound with llet of shells. The hands and feet ar
OF exquisite form, while thought that the beauty Of
the face was perhaps of too elevated tyne for tho
SUBJECT certainly the artist, who, after only two
| wears study. produces such n ,,.an1-
unusual genius for his art. His other work the Co.
quette, is now being transferred to marble 1hinl
this statue possesses merit not ALWAYS fonnd il ,h,
works OF sealptors of established reputation Tho
action of the figure and the expression Of ,ho e,1
tell me story; there is token of malice i, tho
tenance with which she regsds the heart held n hor
LETT hand ana towards which she directs the dar,
poised ID her right but curiosity and complacency
arising from sense of power may be readily Traced
With pleasure augur future fame and fortune 70 ~.