The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-09-03

S1C AAOOSAA OASyS jOT tuo 616cllOn o.
duties is still rigidly enforced, and
the faithful guardians of the city
treasury occupy places by the side
of each gate in order that none pass
or re-pass without bestowing the
proper token But this custom Of
Pisa is peculiar to these cities.
From Pisa to Florence is almost 9
continuous garden, with occasional
vineyards and orchards. The road
runs along the valley of the Arno,
which is among the richest valleys
In Italy. Upon arriving again in
Florence, 1 embraced opportunities
to wander among the studios OF
American and English scuiptors.
Of these there are ten Americans,
all busily employed at their voca-
ton, but ready to extend a welcome
to wanderer from their native
country. The pioneer from the
United States died about two years
ago, at the age of sixty-eight, and
after a residence of thirty years in
Florence. His son, Preston Powers,
occupies the old studio, and is said
to be rapidly attaining to the ability
of his father in the same principal
line of production. 1 suppose the
Greek slave is commonly regarded
as his best full length production,
but his best work was in the pro-
duction of busts. A second son,
LOngwOrth Powers, has commenced
work as q sculptor, but still regards
himself as a student. Some of the
works of the father still remain in
the studio (and some unfinished
pieces) which the dutiful sons point
to with an air of laudable pride, as
they have just right to do. In the
studio of Mr.. Mead are the casts of
the work which he furnished for
the Lincoln monument at Spring.
field, and it is work of great mag
nitude and merit. His piece entitled
"The Fourth of july" is one of his
lively pieces, and furnishes a view
of young America, footing away to
the discomfort of his younger sis
ter. Mr.. Mead was absent upon q
visit to his American home, leaving
his studio in charge OF Mr.. w. G..
Turner, who leaves his own a por-
ton of each day in order to keep
some outline work in order, ready
for finish. Mr.. Turner has recently
finished a piece which indicates
more than common merit. 1t was
suggested by the incident at the
time Peter was delivered from
prison while sleeping between two
soldiers and bound with two chains.
1t is entitled "Rhoda," and the quo
tation from the 18th chapter of Acts,
Oath verse,-''Rhoda ran in and told
how Peter stood before the gate"
The right hand holds an Oriental
lamp, while the left is engaged in a
gesture which tells more plainly
than words could do, the earnest Joy
she felt at hearing the voice of the
imprisoned friend as he stands be-
fore the gate. Bis pieces entitled
+" Immortality" and "Transition,"
are good, but the first mentioned is
excellent. Mr.. Ball has some good
productions, and so has Mr.. Park,
and l am only rejecting my own
Impressions in the special mentions
l have made. A visit to the studio
of an artist, as well as the perusal
of the production of an author of a
book, seems to furnish a fair view
of the tastes and characters of their
producers in the two vocations.
was not before able to appreciate
why sculptors and painters have so
often res0rted to Florence for the
pursuit of their vocations. Every
characteristic of the place seems
we'll suited to these pursuits, and
they are everywhere surrounded by
the best originals. The churches
and public halls and musuems are
well stored with the best treasures
of art, both old and new; and here
are tombs of Michael Angelo, and
Dante, and Calico, which are adorn-
ed by sculptures which are the pro-
auctions of the most exquisite taste
and industry.
Having an inclination to visit the
early home of the discover of the
Western Continent, nv next object
i've point was Genoa. It was a long
and busy days journey, during
which we passed Pistoia, Bologna,
Medina Reggie, Parma and Alexan-
dria. While journeying the Appe-
nine range between Florence and
Bologna, the number of tunnels, by
which the light of day is shut out,
furnishes an unattractiYe Incident.
But the level and fertile country
onward from Bologna to Alexan.
dria gave variety that was by no
means disagreeable. Genoa is built
upon high hills and in deep valleys,
which.suggested feeble comparison
to Kansas City. Upon passing out
from the depot, the first object that
attracted our notice was the monu-
ment to Christopher Columbus. No
passenger can enter Genoa by rail-
way without obtaining q view of
this monument, which at the same
time Is q work of art of unusual
merit. The top Of the colossal statue
as it stands upon its high pedestal is
not much less than fifty feet. The
panels of the pedestal are occupied
by relieves and small statues'which
embrace more than fifty figures.
The fret is the group before which