Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-03-29
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER ELEVEN.

NUMBER ELEVEN.
, FLORENCE, 1855.
Deay* ** +: I am delighted with this beau
tiful city, and as place of residence would dc
cidedly prefer 1t to any other I have seen. TIL
country around IS charming, while the people ar
much less Objectionable than those further south
atively few beggars are seen.
This city has very many attractions, the principa
of which is the Cascine, the Hyde Park Or Bots d
Boulogne, of Florence. This affords a splendid
carriage road, which surrounds a beautiful grow
of trees and a race-course. Here is displayed tn
f fashionable equipages and the beauty of the cit
every afternoon at five O'Clock; and splend
military band enlvens the scene, while on ever
side are flower girls, thrusting their boquets int
your hands, for which they expect buona mam
before You leave. They have very winning man
ner to which everyone must yield. The surround
ing scenery is perfectly beautiful; and one Cal
never become wealied of this ride. We find thcs
delightful rides all through Europe, furnishing
place of recreation for old and young, rich ant
poor. Would that our republican cities would DE-
likewise.
We have visited the Grand Dukes palace-tht
grounds Of which very pleasant; also the Pitt
Palace, commenced and named after Succa Pitti
the great opponent to the Medicis family. This
has a fine gallery of paintings; but description
or enumeration of them is unnecessary. The
most striking, however, is the Last Supper, by
Raphael. Saw Canova's Venus Also which is truly
beautiful, though too voluptuous. The Tribune
contains some Of the finest paintings have seen
A great number are by Raphael and other old mas
tiers. The alteration of the magi before the infant
Saviour, was peculiarly attractive. 1t was beaut
full and so expressive that l almost looked to see
them move and speak.
Have at last seen the far-amed Venus de Medicis,
which, though perfect in form, with an expression
modest and pleasing, still was disappointed. Like
all the Grecan figures, the head seems too small.
| There are some other splendid pieces of statuary,
but fear shall ever more particularly remember
a small painting-"The head of Medusa." 1t
looked as though it had just been severed from the
body, and every snake seemed imbued with life.
Oh! it was a horrid sight,
The museum of Natural History and Anatomy
does honor to Florence, being, perhaps the most
perfect in existence. The different departments
are well arranged, and the collections highly inter-
esting and instructive while its anatomical models
are famous all over the world.
The Cathedral is grand, magnificent church.
The cupola is the largest dome in the world not ex-
coptipr ovon Ct potor, in Rouo TIL, b,,;lJ;, r
is very ancient and supposed to have been founded
six hundred years ago. The doors are massive
bronze, and the interior has such gloomy dreary
appearance that could not discern much beauty
The Baptistery is said to be one thousand one
hundred years DID, and the great attraction is the
massive bronze doors, which so pleased Michael
Angelo that he pronounced them fit for Paradise.
Here infants are brought to be baptised when
few hours old; and it is asserted that about four
thousand are baptised annually. The ceremony
was performed whilst we were there.
"Michael Angeles and the &c Medcean chapels"
fine buildings, but contain nothing of interest,
except some fine paintings. But there is always
such a profusion Of paintings in the churches chat
they cease to attract the sight-seeker.
Santa Croce is considered the Westminster Alb
hey Of Florence. Among the illustrious dead there
inferred, are Michael Angelo, Calico, and Dante.
Near the tomb of Calico are two figures repre-
senting Astronomy and Geometry, mathematical of
his great discoveries. In this church is displayed
figure dressed up as queen, in all the most
gaudy habilaments, and enclosed in glass case.
To this they bow as the Virgin Mary. And was it
thus the sainted mother appeared upon this earth
Oh what mockery! aud to our vision how revolving
is such sight!
We have visited some studios-the most inter.
esting Of which is Mr.. Powers but of him It Is
almost useless to speak, as his reputation is world
wide. Saw his sAmerica," a noble figure, and
bust of his original Greek Slave. His Washing
ton" designed for Louisiana, has been sent away,
and we could only see the model.
Mr.. Hart, Kentuckian, seems to be quite me-
chanical genius as well as a fine sculptor Saw
some fine specimens of his work, and machine
which he has invented for taking busts-though
wonderful yet perfectly simple. This certainly will
win him reputation. Some think Mr. Powers has
attained an unmerited reputation, asserting that
many Of his ideas are borrowed; but to my mind
it seems an unjust accusation, when we look at his
works. so full of originality and beauty. We did
not have the pleasure Of seeing Mr.. Powers, but
saw his little children.
One afternoon we rode out to "Fiescoe," and
saw the walls of that ancient Etruscan CITY, From
the summit of the hill we had lovely view of
fine sunset the river Arno, beautiful Florence and
its environs, forming altogether most beautiful
landscape. The valley lay smiling beneath us,
whilst the mountains towering their heads high up
to the heavens in the distance, added a charm not
to be described Or forgotten. Never were all the
sympathies of my soul SO united with my outward
feelings as then. There is monastery on the |
summit Of this mountain. We had a monk for our
guide and New York lady and myself took pecu-
liar and rather wicked delight in teasing him. He
gave the gentlemen permission to go up through |
the building where they could have better view,
whilst he forbade we poor ladies' to put foot inside
the gate. Of course the gentlemen would not par
take of pleasure which excluded us. At last the |