, 1881-03-20

| e.
sumptuous and most magnificent pile tha
labor execute.'' s"its outside is lncrlste,
with marbles from sienna, carrara. Prat9
The introduction of flat surfaces OIL which t
display many-colored marbles, mosaics, Q
frescoes is atpeculiar feature OF Italian arcEi
lecture; and the profusion Of lnany-colorct
marbles in Italy led the Italians to cove
or alternate vertical alld horizontal bands
Although this method precludes the posi-
bility of giving the depth and richness o
genuine Gothic holdings, yet The bri!lian
Southern sun, rendering the slightest linden
4 considerable distance, llnparts 4 peculiar
| beauty and character, which would be want
ing in similar architectural decorations be
Meath northern sky. The traccry ard t'rna
1ne,lts Of the windows are S!ngularly delicate
and the pinnacles above are surmounted by
elegantly-wrouy statuets of saints
l"Walks in Florence by Susan and Joanna
lIorner).
The Interior of this grand building Is ut the
first sight disappointing. Its immcnsity, and
the absence of the protuse ornamcntation Sc
| frequently met with in other Catholic
churches, give 1T bleak and cold appear
ance. which even the three great affairs. with
their multiplicity of lights and ornaments,
The Campanile, or bell-tower,, connected
with this church, was designed and COM
| menced by Giotto In 1884, and is one OF tho
| finest and most beautiful works Of archl-
the world. The square tower consists Of four
stories, and is 293 feet in hight, covered with
ditferent-colored marbles. and decorated with
rellefs and statues. 1t Is assembled by a
view is had from the top, embracing the ,vai-
ley in which the city extends, the nelghbor~
ing nights, studded with villas and richly
cultivated grounds, and the chain of mount
aims to the north, south. and east Accord
ing to the plans Of ,Giotto, ,spire of LOU feet
| was to have risen above the four stories; but
| the project was abandoned BY his successor.
| Gaddi.
| OTHER cIUIc1IEs-A LEGEND.
The church of next Importance On account
Church Of IS. Anllonziata, or Churcl, Of the
Annunciati0n. 1t w,iS built in l25o, ami has
been altered and embelIished at different
periods; is handsome, and very richly dec
grated: 1t faces on an open! square. Its
arches raised in slender Corintl'ian
columns, and each arch was adorned
originally with beautiful freseoes, ,jM,lg-
ing from the remains still visible.
nve ei1 with i've se capel y on either r. SIDE tWo
short transepts, and Il circular choir, sMr-
rounded by Il cupola. The whole is richly.
decorated with paintings, stucco. AM! gid-
ing. There are few pictures Of any inpor-
lAi!CC I'LL L3l3 ClAH1L4s u jug EANEVI0 A4L oU@
called miraculous painting Of the An
nunciatiou, supposed to be by Pictro
CayalliEi, the disciple of Giotto. There
is legend connected with this
picture that the artist having
fallen asleep while engaged in the work. le
dreamed that he was unworthy to paint the
mother of our Lord, and, OIL aWaking. found
it had been painted by all angelic hand
This picture is considered so sacred that it is
only exhibited Oh great festivals Of the
church.
There are many legends told of other
churches in this city; indeed, nearly ali OF
them have some miraculous story connected
with each, requiring superabunda,1t
amount Of faith and credu|ty to fully be-
licye: but the ticyOut claim to reverence
them. and their belief is entitled to respect
There is a wonderful story associated with
the Church of St Croce, or Church Of tile
IIply Gross, built in the year 1908, which, i'll
brief, runs rs follows: Father Adam ,Sas
sick. and Scth prayed for him at tie gate Of
Paradise, and received 4 branch from
the Tree Of hnoWledEe from the
Arcilangel Mlchael, bidding nun plant 1t on
Mt, Lebanon, anu, when u pore iruit, MS
1ather would be -healeti. beiore oeth re-
turned Adam Was detu; So ne p'anted the.
nrancl1 on MS grave. anu iI fonrlssleu until
the days OF oo!ofnon. Lie or1ered It cut
uown 70 De useu III pu,lalfe 1ne lenaple, ont
Tie builders rejecteu IL US pelns llhsnitaD1e.