The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-01-01

CluICFy palaCe OF ION 6IJ"ehi' 1H0 iNo'
P.hud's kings He had shown the most ez
qlisi:o taste in the building Of the palace
both IN the furniture aud paintings selected
each room perfectly distinctive in character
and unique. Ole room was called Solo
mons salon, on account of four Immense aud
beautiful paintings, ,still we'll preser7ed)'
representing four memorable events IN MS
gorgeous life. Another room, "Sigsm1nds
and the chief beauties of his court; sill
another, ''Ponia.owski's time aad it's famous
beauties" The palace is built on an arth
oial island, and looks like a white gem, Sc,
in the crystal waters. Balconies opened on
each side down to the water like unto Ven
ice, where pleasure boats we're won't to Goa
vey the luxuriapt and novelty-seekers in
every direction. Near this palace, semi
covered Ampbisheatre is buil;, seating quite
a number. The stage is on the other side of
the waters, with columns and pilasters, rep
resenting the old Roman forum, purpOsely
made as in ruins the effect is at once s.rik.
ing and original. Another palace We visited
while there interested us greatly. It was
Villanof, the old residence of King John
Sobieski Ill, who died in 1896. The pal
ace is an elegant one, built by the Turks
whom he captured in wars and brought home
to work for him atterWard Il is semi circu
lar in form, with statues in every conceivable
niche aud corner, but as many of them are
torsos now, the effect tOute ensemble is one Of
faded grandeur. However, when you enter
and behold the luxary of these kings, in old
en- times; how room after room is fitted up
with japanese curio8ities, even Japanese
beds, curtains aud lamps; you are astOuuded
that there should have been this communion
tion with the outside world. The room iu
which he died has been fitted as chapel,
with white marble walls, an elegant altar,
everything superb, by the Countess Potocki,
who now owns this palace and five beside
The grounds are extensive and elegant, with
rarest fowers and beautiful foliage.
The fourth day We left for CracOw, the
last remnant of the great Kingdom of Po-
land, but now under the dominion of Aus
tria. Tne city is not at all prepossessing in
appearance Little trade or activity is per
cep;ib}e except in the jewish quarters, where
macy men and even women, with small
leathern bags, are to be seen on the corners
Of the streets driving brisk trade as money
changers. They seem to have pursued this
business ever since they were driven from
the temple in the days of Christ. There are
Il 900 Jews here in this city of $4,000 in
habitauts, and all adhere SO pertnacously to
old forms and style as to be quite noticeable.
The men, young and old, wear the hair long,
generally in curls, but always with two curla
placed in front of each ear; and great coat
reaching nearly to the groux2 TIE women
never allow their locks to b%slaible, perhaps
disgusted with the opposite sex, but conceal
them in some way beneath an immense pc.
ruke or wig of false hair. What can be the
reason for 50 hideous a fashion, specially
among the young, We could not divine. The
cathedral in Ccacov, which dates back to it's
conservation in 1859. under King eastman
the Great, is the otj c. Of principal attention
to visitors. In tho centre of the nave of the
church is placed lhe splendid shrine of st.
Stauisaua, the patron saint of Poland. The
cofil, which is of solid silver, is supported
on the shcu culders Of silver mounted angels
JUS: in font Of his altar Polsnds kings
were crowned ArOuod the church are six
teen different cbapels, containing some beau
,iful monuments and statuary. In one, We
recognized at oDce ThorSaldsen's Christ
which we had seen aud 80 admired in the
church Of Oar Lady in Copenhagen. But
We desired specially to see the burial place
of three of Polands most illu8;riOus heroes; ;
viz: POniatowski, John SobieSki and Kos
ciusko. the famous "Thaddeus Of Warsaw"
in whom all Americans feel an intense inter
est since he aided US in gaining our indepen-
aence. We we're told to accomplish this, we
must descend into deep, dark vault. Pro
vided With lighted candles, We CROPPED our
way down the steps into the Semi-darknea3,
visiting first one tomb then another of these
great worthies, and their wives and children.
Coming up again into the light of day,
and fresher air, We wandered around tbe
chapels again, and noticed behind the altar
the famous monument of John SObieski to
commemorate his victory over the Turks
Toe old Turk was represented with manacled
hands, and looking up in abjecs serVitude
into the face of his conqueror How would
Russia like this now for model !! In
returning we passed the old Schloss or castle
built in the 14.h century, where POIands
kiaga always dEelt from appearance seem
insly impregnabe, until the court was re-
moved to Warsaw. Oae other thing ~e
greatly enjoyed here, visiting, not many miles
aw,y, the celebrated " salt mines of Wiel
iezka." Quite a number had gathered, We
we're glad 20 see, when we arrived to add our
names, for the greater the number descend
ing together the more glorifed will be the
glistoDiog wonders. We all donned linen
suits aud caps of felt: 50 disguised were we,
that our best friends might have mistaken US
instead. for the witches 10 Macbeth. Blu.