The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-21
kGe!stEsffBRSaEgi1
A Weston Roy on his Travel.
CONTINUED yRua LAST WEEK. J


in general are wide, straight, clean
and we'll paved. The northwest parl
Of the town is intsrsected by canals
which carry the merchandise to the
doors Of the warehouses, The private
houses are well built, and large, fol
the most part; but there are few pub
lie buildings Of interest. The town H.
self is chiefly of modern origin, aud
destitute Of the historical associations
and classical monuments which invest
most Italian cities with their highest
interest. Its fno Mediterranean site,
great commercial life, and animated
aspect. are its principal attractions.
Towards the end Of the 18th century,
it was an unprotected village, which
only assumed some importance upon
tho destruction Of tho Port Of Pisa,
aud especially on its beiug assigned to
Florence. In 1921, Alsssandro del
Msdici constructed It's citadel and for.
titled the town. oOssmo LIST made it a
free port, and from that time dates the
rise Of its prosperity. In tho 18th
century II was town Of great CONNER
cial importance, under Ferdinand LIST ;
and during tue French occupation Of
Italy, it was made, by Napoleon LIST,
the chief town Of the department Of the
Mediterranean. Aud last, but not
least Of its attractions, by any means,
are the most beautiful women tha! my
eyes have ever beheld.
Sixteen miles distant from LeghOrn
is the anciot city Of Pisa, with "a, 900
inhabitants. It is situated in for.
tile plain, and covers an enclosure Of
nearly I miles in circumference. The
river Arno divides tho town into al.
most two equal parts. The quays on
both sides are vide, and lined with
cdi6css, in general, stately aud hand.
some, There are three bridges, one Of
which is marble, and Of course very
handsome. The streets are wide, par
ticularly we'll paved, and the houses
very lofty and good looking. The
finest group Of buildings III the world
is tia. which Pisa presents to the con-
temptation ofthe traveller. in her Ca.
thcdral and It's .sndant edidces, the
Bapistry, Belfry. and Cemetery. AL.
though you published an extract from
ono Of my letters to mother, giving
only a meagrc description ofthis group
Of buildings, as it was not intended for
publication, l will cndeayor to give
you more complete and satisfactory
one. These buildings arc all totally
detached, occupying a considerable
space, and derive from their insulated
site an additional uiagnificsncc. They
are of the same material marble
nearly tho same area, and excepting
the cloister Of tho Cemetery, tho same
architecture. The Cathedral is the
graudest aud most ancient. It was be.
gan about the first Of the 9th century,
aud was nearly one hundred years in
building. 1t stands on q platform
raised Eve steps above the level Of the
ground. which is formed Of great flags
Of marble. Tho sides Of tue building
are divided into three stories, all
adorned with marble half.pillars, tue
undcrmost support row Of arches, the
second q coruiCe. under the roof Of the
aisles..th third another row Of arches
aud tho roof Of tho nave The front
consists Of Ave stories, all formed Of
half pillars, supporting sonicitcular
arches. The corRiccs Of the LIST, End
All stories run all around the edidce.
The Sd story occupies the space which
corresponds with the roof Of the aislOs,
and tho 9th is contained in the pedi.
msnt. The church forms a latin cross,
fromlthe central point rise: the dome,
supported by columns aad arches
Which arc adorned with pOdinonts and
pillars surnounted with statues. The
interior consists Of a nave and double
aislGs. with choir and transeps. Tho
allies are formed by four rows Of col
umns Of oriental granite. The altar
and pulpit res. upon porphyry pillars,
upon which are displayed gold and
silver ornaments in tho greatest pro.
fusion Ths gallery around the dome
is Of light and very airy style. Tho
roof is not arcbsd, but Of wood divided
into compartments aud gilded, amode
extremely ancient and observable IN
many Of tho early churches. The
doors are Of massive bronze, finely
sculptured. Tradition states that the
oscillations Of the large bronze lamp
suspended III the nave, first suggested
to CALLED the theory ola pendulum for
tho clock. Tbs Bnptiitry, or Church
Of 81. John. opposite the Cathedral, an
almost equally remarkable structure,
was compicted'in The year 1902, by
Diotisalvi. The main building, which
Is circular aud raised on several steps,
supports a lcadcn rooted dome, having
second dome above |, surmouuted BY
statue Of st. John The beautifully
proportioned interior, noted for It's
wonderful echo, contains pulpit
which ranks as the greatest master
piece Of Nicolo pisans, 10 sculpture,
various pieces Of sculpture, aud large
octagonal font Of marble, beautifully
sculPtared. The Companill, or Bel
fry, which is the celebrated Leaning
Tower Of Pisa, stands in front Of the
Cathedral. It consists Of eight stories,