, 1874-01-11
The Athens of Italy---Our Con-
sul-Genera1,
Harris Studio---The Monastery Of La
CcrtOSa.
fhe BobiIi Gardens, and Italian Land
scape-Gardening.


E4<ottESuf, NOV. lts 16tas
Perhaps therc is no dty in the, world, Of it
s,ze. which is so great treasure-house of art Al
Florence. 1t measures its galleries Of picture
md statuary by tile mic, and many Of both ar
vn1d-renonned, and zsznost universally regarded
"a Tho highest achievements Of human skill anl
ceaius. II is called
1.-THE ATHENS OF rrLY
IT. history Inns been .yentful and brilliant ane
in tbs arts, in poetr,, aud men Of genius, it has
been p1ol6c. In at it numbers among others
and scme CT them scarcely less distinguished
the great names OF ofDonatello, Leounrdi da Vinci
uichsel Angelo. aad Raphael !; in letters, Alficri
D:ate a1accliay.lli, Calico, Petrnrch,.. Boccao
rio. and many offers. Hers Was the homo OF
garon.tola the Eloquent, an enthusiast, re-
former, patrio:, aud 3 martyr. Here was the
sest of tho Meeici family. one Of tho most re-
ra1sablc in hjstory, aud whose career furnishes
topae Of its brightest well as its darkest pages
The city las no commerce, no port, no payi-
eablo river. It has no manufactures except in
m5sacs un1ss copying the IL old masters msy
be c,lIed amanufacture still, it seems pros
perous snt judge its prosperity is largely at
tiputablet to the great number ct visitors, es-
pecia1ly@ rom Great Britain and tue United
States, tho seek health hnd pleasures in it's
salubrioss climate. Tic lovers and students OF
ut from all The world flock to the banks Of the
4rno. Florence ia place artists love and
many American artists. attracted by tho climate,
the cheap living. its beauty, and its arttreasures
lave made it their home.
Our country is very fortunate in its chief
representatives in Italy, Mr. Marsl, our a11n-
ists1. who owns a villa here, and resides in it q
considerable portion Of tho year, is known
throughout the world as D scholar and dis
Hnsulshcd writer. Iha Consul -General OF the
United States in Italy,
JAMES Lon1MEn GRAHAM, JR.,
resides here, in the Palace Orsini and enter
tains with generous and refined hospitality no
Fhere SURPASSED. He has very large fortune,
nrch cultu1e and taste, aud, having been in
Iuiy several years, he speaks the language we'll.
Els immense establishment is u treasure-house
Of rar9 books. pictures, ana literary curiosities.
lie las perhaps oaa Of tho largest. if not the
largest, collection Of autographs and portraits
II the world. He has several bound volumes Of
original letters OF Washington and Franklin;
sud his collection Of portraits 0. Napoleon, am
told, ia the largest which exists. With adequate
means at command, his agents in London, pans,
snd New York have been adding to his collec-
tions until they are very rich indeed. HIS book
Of "Good Fellows" contains an autograph
poem. or brief memorial sketch, from very
lrgs number Of contemporary authors and lit
etary men Of Europe and America, and pen
and-ink or pencil sketches OF many distinguish
I'd artists. mag, hope without indelicacy,
say he is himself *sthe Prince OF Good
Fellows" and few that have crossed his
threshold but will remember him
as most generous and genial host, and his
house rs the seat OF taste, culture, and refine
1aent Lunching with 3H. Graham 1. few days
ago, re were furnished with the delicious sweet
corn Of America.-his being ths only table at
which lave met this dish in Europe but
7hen the servant, in reply to the command,
Bring in the Virginia potatoes" brought in
kseaming-hot, fine golden sweet-po.atoes, no
mere delighted as we'll as surprised. "This,"
said Virginia gentleman at my side, raising his
potato On hiB fork,
"Thia caz1ies me- back TO Ole Vi1ginia,s shore,n
HAET's STUDIO.
4 few days ago I visited the studio Of Hart
che sculptor. He is native Of Kentucky, and
achieved distinction many years ago by very
lfe-lke statue Of Henry Clay. In his studio
are busts of Crttenden, Jackson. Calhoun,
Nicklfre. and many distinguished Amer
leans of the mast genera.ion. Ha haa
= yenna in c1ar m rr,,;c,, ha
-. ~
@ eas :! oeen ~ "orA 1of zen years! eone artists
sag Is not Us gooc as u was ilse years ago. It
= sAceeans.{ soeau'l'u!. ano II "oo!a ne eao 70
soulA .nas .1a ...les' u LIS eutauslasuc oes1Ig
- -. H.;sin peiaecpn' naa "as!eo i've yeals.
sanss u nay sGon Ie pr1oueeo "a some enduring
,,sa ~ ~ 1s ~, pleasst m een''enan 80 o1
Jackson, Calhoun, and Crittenden.
,.~:,:u "a chatosA.
AtasannE ourselves, LOW uhys aso' o1 pl1gnt
9o11ay morning. we ofose c, 10 inc monastery OF
s ~ ~ LeI1osa: @ I1oss'nG Tue Atno. aao passing
~ oss a. me Guy os the torta oe IONA, We follow
~ ne ms toau g. thae ieaas to"aias homs ano'
eumping one OF the plctu1esque mus "nich sur
souoo sne cry We 1ou4a nem peanIy IN me land
eeape ,. a. esely step. me 'nelos we're covered
can ~..n sne slne anu Ing give; ola picturesque q
92ousents, cnurSnes, ana !luas crowned each hnl.
;;{E ;A;{Rp.oacning h1eher emlnence, tue monastery,
~. ~ o!o lolesoes eeooa pe'ole us or tne SUM
Saa. ~ is 5e15 sTaelohs ana venerable, has1ng
ses ea a 1ouaueo @ n ne .nfteentn century. mere
7nsnes maus enapsis' eeseaa1 eonils, az 11n-
tstea ~ hnanper " iceue, Anu Tue Hnole illus-
saTsh sas enormous Wealth "n1cn Was 1otnaef4g
Ieo a. wo upon 1ness e1tAonsnmenss.