The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-06-19

CcuicuO WlVH oCiupS VI ii'ti VIC SbuCh
into it in a way to rudely initiate mo-
sale work. But there is at least one
benefit in these floors they never burn,
and together with the stone stairways
and tile roofs, render the buildings
completely fire proof. They are dusty,
by reason of crumbling in wear, and
harbor fleas, besides being cold in win
ter and damp in summer.
The church architecture of Italy is
of very old style, there being but little
difference in those erected 800 years
ago and the new. All are outwardly
uncouth, and no attention seems to
have been paid to beauty or symmetry.
Bare brick walls with the rough edges
of the mortar sticking out, and the
scatlolding poles unstopped; the ends
of rafters projecting out, and no cor
nice. But the inside is always mar
vel of fine workmanship, rich finish
and elaborate ornamentation, abound
ing in valuable paintings and altars
constructed of the rarest marbles and
precious stones. But there are no
pews-no fashionable or cushioned
seats. Only few rude benches, in
front, and liberal supply of splint
bottomed chairs that the ushcrs bring
out when needed, and place on the
stone floor without order or system.
The churches are always open day
times, and people step i'll and offer up
their silent prayers at their leisure, be
fore the altar of some favorite saint
Here on the floor of the church is the
only place in Italy where the rich and
the poor-the nobleman and the beg
gar, meet on terms of equality; for
even in death each class has its separ-
ate cemetery.
The dwelling houses for the common
people are very large, and so arranged
as to accommodate many families. In
the city they are 3 to stories high,
the highest being preferred generally.
They are generally owned by the no.
bility. In the farming districts they
are > to 3 stories high, and situated in
clusters at the cross roads; little small
villages, where the tenantry live.
Among these clusters of buildings a
house is always devoted to selling wine,
feeding and lodging laborers; for all
farm laborers board themselves out of
the | 5 to 20 cents day of wages they
get. Thus the farming country is n
succession of villages and large fields.
The land is owned by the mobiles and
the church, in immense tracts, and the
farmers are all tenants. The farmer
pays so much rent that he is kept poor,
despite all his industry and rigid econ
omy. The land owner is kept from
accumulating wealth by the enormous
taxes he has to pay. The government
is kept poor Notwithstanding its i'm
mense income, by the number of its
officers, soldiers, police, and onhangers
of various kinds. 1t is not to be won
dered at that the people of Italy are
thriftless and uncnterprising.
The country roads Of Italy are some
thing wonderful in their durability and
finish. They have deep ditch on
each side, skirtcd with double rows Of
trees, between which is the footway,
we'll graveled and smooth. The road
is generally 80 feet wide between
bitches and rounded up to the center,
of gravel and elevated some . to 4
feet above the general surface. On
each side of the track is row Of stone
posts, , feet high and 10 inches diam
e.er, 30 to so feet apart. When the
gravel in the road has been crushed,
tho dnst is gathered M and carted