Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-04

UNaN Cs VI EllLaOeIn Barrett BrOVVn-
Ing and Theodore Parker.
tRev. Gilbert Haven contributes to the New York
Independent the following account of visit to the
graves of Theodore Parker and Mrs Browning in
Florence.l
GRAVE OF MRS. BROWNING.
The Porta Pinta is one of the eastern
gates of Florence. Through it passes the
street that crosses the thick-shaded valley of
the Arno, and winds by high-walled gardens
and pleasant villas to the lofty summit of Fie-
sole. Close to the right hand of the gate,
wall some twenty feet high starts out of the
city wall, and suddenly curving southwark,
goes for abouttwo hundred yards parallel with
1t, and then as abruptly turns westward and
Joins the wall. In its southern front are
plain iron gates, opening into small court.
Opposite to them is similar pair of gates,
over which is written in French, ''They rest
from their labors, and their works do follow
them" This is the protestant cemetery.
Within its high walls and close underthese an
Gent battlements lie what is mortal of Eliza
beth Barrett Browning and Theodore Parker
Their names were enough to draw our feet
thlther. The Sabbath day finds us at the
gates. The concierge responds to the bell
from neighboring cottage, and we are ush-
cred into the sacred resting place. The ground
both from the south and the east. broad
path ascends from the gate to near the rear
Of the enclosure, where handsome marble
column is surmounted by cross. At right
angles with this path another passes from the
wall of the cemetery to that of the city. On
the first path, about half way up, not more
than SIX or eight rods from the entrance, on
the LETT hand side, just over an outer border of
box and an inner one of roses, is a small
square, sufficiently large for but two bodies.
1t is enclosed by low iron rail, resting on
four low gray sandstone pillars. In the center
OF the lot is a small block of the same stone,
some eightinches square and high, with cross
engraved on the top. Over the little lot the
myrtle is slowly and careessly growing; and
pot with the tall fowerless stalk of an un-
handsome plant was negligently placed near
the head of the grave. This is the ''long
home" of Mrs. Browning The sun lay too
fercey uponit at that hour to allow the place
to convey all the tender impressions that one
could properly expect. Still, the roses glow
ing on every side, the tall slim expresses that
guarded the outer wall, the gray old walls of
the city rising high over the head and covered
thick with ivy, the intense quiet of the spot,
and, above all, the mountains of mingled
brown and green that lifted themselves high
above the wall and the valley beyond, filling
all the horizon with strength and beauty
these made the spot worthy of her whose
body slept below.
GRAVE OF Mr. PARKER.
Pass up the path to the central cross, and
turn to the right Go few feet toward the
all. The path is lined with young expresses.
Close to it, on the left or north side, under the
expresses, in a cool and perpetual shadow, is
large, thick, gray sandstone slab, with this
simple nscription-'Theodore Parker, born
at Lexington, Massachusetts, United States of
America August "a, 1910. Died at Florence
May 10, 1860" The spot is better kept than
that Of Mrs. Browning, and in a pleasanter
spot-ess slightly, less sunny. The thick
grass about it was wet with the dew at that
after midday hour. The grave was overrun
with ivy and myrtle. Two rose bushes
were houriShing near the head stone,
and small evergreen shrub was growing
near his feet. The tall expresses covered it
with their dense shade. From under their
boughs you could look out eastward and see
the hills of Fiesole across the valley, with
their bright villas-the tall gray tower of its
ancient cathedral, and the lofty seat where Lo-
renzo De Medici and his friends held high con-
verse on Plato. The spot was very inviting,
from its GOODNESS, shade, and silence The
chirp of a few birds alone displaced the Sab
bath stiffness with Sabbath melody. l could
have sat for hours in such a holy retreat, but,
alas the emotions winch the grave excited
were not of the calm and blessed character
that the day, the scenery, and the place sug-
gested One could not look upon the spot with
outfeeling that after all, the desire Of Jacoband
Joseph was eminently human-"Bury me
with my fathers" ''By faith he gave COM
mandment concerning his bones" A foreign
land may do to look at, but our own is the
land to live and die in. Why Mr.. Parker
was left here is to me mystery. Pleasant
and retired as is the spot soft and grand as is
the scenery, the graveyard at Lexington is
preferable Perhaps, his friends may say, it
was that, dreading the downfall of America
before the dagon of slavery, he gave COM
mandment concerning his bones, that they
should not rest in such recreant soil. Thus
the agitation which his lite produced revives
over his grave.