Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-06-26
Seleftr0 1Giseellonn.


13A EAoeNVs lAs
PALACES ov rLoRExcr, GENOA, AxD ssSIcE,
&C.
Leaving Naples, returned p Rome, and
then went on to Florence. The train stop
ped for sime at Perugia, a town of Aches
an origin, founded before ROM, and it wass
Ne capital and one Of the most distinguish.
ed cites of EtruFia. The vast uncemcnted
bleeks Of old masosry, which Constitute the
subssssc.ion Of The modern Wills, Indicate
the solidity of the ancient Eiruscan mason>
ry. The town u situated on q beautiful
Italian lake Of The same name, and our
course lay along its border for some distance,
which made the ride extremely pleasant.
On arriving at Florence, visited the eel.
shsaied art. galleries in the two royal pala.
css. The Pitt Palace is the present resi-.
dsnce Of Victor Emanuel, king Of Italy. II
was formerly occupied by the grand dukes
Of Tuscany. The famous architect Bru.
aelleschi commenced i, before the middle Of
the fifteenth century, and Cosne ]. snished
i in the early part Of the following century.
The latter was one 0fthe distinguished Me.
dici family, ssrnamed " The Great" duke Of
Florence and grand dukc Of Tuscany. While
the palace Is not eqaal in size and magnif>
cence - some others in Europe, it is never
tbclcss . noble building, and quite worthy
70 be the abode Of . duke or king. As
Victor Emmanuel now rules nearly the
whole Of Italy, his government possesses and
controls al those palaces that were formerly
occupied by various rulers who once gov
erned the separate states. Naples, Tuscany,
Venice, ETC., had their several magnificent
palaces, but, as they now belong to the Gen.
trail government, probably no sovereign OF
Europe has so many stately and splendid
sbodes in which 10 reside At his pleasure,
IS the Es"e OF Italy.
The Roboli gardens, adjoining the Pitt
Palace, are Of great interest. They are
most beautifully laid out. The fountains are
very 6ae and there are various terraces
and meny superior statues, some of which
were begun By Michael Angelo. From an
elevated part Of the garden, ! obtained a
6ne view OF the city. IS il lay along cn both
sides oftAe river Arno and what particu-
larly interested me, saw the observatory
from The top Of which Gslileo made bis as
Economical observations and several Of bis
ereas discossries.
Whea in Florence, the king frequently
leaves bis palace and goes out into the city
be can bs seen by the people almost any
day. But was sorry to learn that while he
is deemed an able and patriotic ruler, he is
far from being an example of virtuous NOR.
ais. His life is not one to be properly im,
tated By his subjects. From what | was
seld respecting him, the thought occurred 10
me, that since there must be some truth in
the old adase, Like prince. like people,
hsw unfortunate for the Italians that their
hing is what be is, rather than like the vir.
tuous sovereign of England, who is most
worthy Of imitation both as ruler and as
parent.
Florsnce i really noble city, aud well
merits lengthy stay in it by all travellers.
Its history is Of no ordinary character. 1t
wss first settled in the time Of Caesar. BY
the year 1900 it had assumed q rank for
power and learning which placed it beyond
any city Of the time and it renamed, till
the commencement of modern history, the
very first city in Europe for her arts, her let.
ters, and he independent character Of her
people.
From Floreace wc went to Genoa, stsp>
ping ct Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and
other objects Of interests. While here, visit
Cd the palace occupied for time by Lord
Byron and his mistress, the Italian Countess
Guiccioli. The Deformcd Transformed"
and various other works were produced
while he was resident in this place.
On araiving at Spezzia, took a small Ital-
ian steamer for Genoa. As ! approached
the city, had very fine view Of it from the
boat. II is situated q the head Of bay Of
the same name and IS the land rises fve
or six hundrcd feet from the sea, the appear
ance presented from tie water is very grand
and imposing. When first coming in sight
Of the city, and on landing, and afterwards
when walking through It, and particularly
on seeing The magnificent monument erect~
cd in il, was l reminded Of Columbus, the
distinguished discoyercr of America. The
Geacess iadulga most laudAhlo pride in
referring to him as one Of their own citizens,
and in speaking of his maritime adventures
% proof Of the superiority Of their people
over all others in that age in nautical sci.
encc, and in the projection aad pi osccution
of great commercial enterprises.
The palaces Of Genoa are very numerous,
and many of them arc large and magnii.
cent and they arc mostly situated on two
streets They are noble, lofty edi6ces, some
Of them constructed Il marble, aud oil Of
them ornamented with fine portals; porticos
8lhN Gutumu8s u'tu AtS oppoituutly VI NtS>
iting the most Interesting OF them, viz !: the
Doria Palace. Its situation is near the sea,
and from The piazza, and adjoining gardens,
there 10 most delightful view Of the harbor
and beautiful bay Of Genoa. The interior
Of the palace is very finely decorated. There
are various works Of a,t, and among the
paintings are several portraits Of the Doria
family. The garden has walks lined and
shaded With cypress and other trees and It
contains statues, vases with flowers. and
beautiful fountains. was interested in sec.
ing o monument erected to Doria's fayorite
dog, called the "Great Roldano." It was q
present from Charles ", emperor Of Gers
many. Andrea Doria was one Of the great.
est commanders and patriots cf the age in
which he lived, and well mcrited the SUR
names given TO him. Father and Defender
Of his Country" and the ''Father Of Peace :
and the emperor Of Germany also conferred
upon him The illnstrioas Order Of the Gold.
en- Fleece The palace xas presented TO
him in 1922. and he resided in i during his
presidency of the Republic. Charles ", be-
sto1ins upon him the title of T" II Principe
[" The Chiefly il was placed as an inserip>
lion upon the exterior wall Of the palace,
where it may still be seen. fhe Genoesc
palaces have one decoration which did not