National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-04
CORT'S GRAND BALL.
A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT IN FLORENCE.
Magnificent Palace Described-Its Earlier History
- Distinguished Guests at the Brilliant
Gathering-rhe Banquetiug Room,
the Decorations, and MEM.
sosc,o, oorespoadesee Of The Rsp,6lican.

most noticeable of all the balls are those given by
the Prefet General Corti, and his most agreeable
wife. He is the great official in the city, ap-
pointed by government, and his power is not un-
like that of the Gonfaloniere or standard bearer
of the fifteenth century, and is good deal more
than mere mayor. He is a remarkable man, not
only for his mental requirements, but for bis
achievements in the italian Parliament, where he
served with integrity and honor but as real hero
when he stood one Of the Garibaldi Mazzini braves
and dared all for his helpless and downtrodden
country. After weary and disheartening cam
paigns, when the fighting was at fearful odds, he
became an exile, and wandered finding refuge in
London, where q new battle with poverty COM
menced. Discovering position as teacher Of mill
tary tactics In one of Englands most famous
schools, he worked and waited for the dawn of
promise he felt sure would come. One Of his faith
full companions was General Granchis, or Granchi,
he is always called. Often returning in disguise
to bring information to Mazzni or join in one of
Garibaldfs brilliant dashes against the common
enemy, he wandered around the world with a
price set upon his head and was an outlaw for Ifb
erty's sake.
ONCE WHEN 6ARIBALDI
was making an imposing entry with little hand
full of soldiers, all dusty, forlorn, and ragged.
GranchiR changed hats with Italias hero, finding
his own though rather the worse for the wear,
et4hA btbtcE than tAO SCuCL8Ao. 1A1o 4hh
he went to pay his respects to the old
hero, who laughingIy reminded him of the
past attentions and together they talked of battles
won and lost. Now General Corti his grand-look-
ing wife, and the faithful friend, Granchi are the
first dTd1uGtiS persoIaS at the brilliant ball given
in the Palazzo Rieeardi. All the rest seemed like
the setting to great play, for in this magnificent
palace the Medici family first began the display
that astonished the world. Built after the designs
of Michelozzo Michelozl by Cosmio IL Yeaehio,
commenced as early as 143s ityet seems in as good
condition as though erected half dozen years
ago, and yet there was feasting and dancing here
before America was discovered. Michael Angelo
designed some of the windows. The cosy slant
ing stairs, the grand halls, the wide and lofty
salons, the fine proportion of everything, would
well serve as a model to-day. Only one room
seemed small, and that was the chapel, about the
size of liberal linen closet, but perhaps large
enough for the 5Iedici religion. Still what is
lacking in dimensions is amply atoned for in pro-
fuse and elaborate fresco by pupil of Fra An
gelico Benezzo Gozzoh, who called himself
A LANDSCAPE PAINTER,
but who must have suffered with nightmare, and
each day painted the horrible visions of the pre-
ceding night There are knights in armor, with
long, golden spurs, extinct animals, languishing
maidens, waddling and coarse faced women, with
lecherous mouths, a company of heavenly angels,
ravens crOaking upon bare tTee-tOps, brilliant
tropical birds, donkey so natural that it might
have been made from study of the one Saneho
Panza rode; Lorenzo the magnificent seated upon
charger very much fore shortened; cardinals,
popes and generals of the Medici family; portraits
of artists, as wise men of the East following the
Star of Bethlehem crouching leopards, and ell the
mad fantasy of an artists brain. During the Me-
dici period there were no windows in this little
chanel fhp only LIGHT frnm silver lqmpS
ally burning. Some vandal has put in a window,
and so in manner destroyed the effect. In one
great room at the top of the house is gorgeous
ceiling, painted by Luca Giardano, a Neapolitan
painter, born in the seventeenth century. The
figures not well shown, but bold and defiant in at
titude, and design, with the most mEryelOusly
brilliant coloring the extreme of the others
being most striking. There is another room, with
most magnificent ceiling of carving and gliding,
and
THE STORY GOES
that after the downfall of the Medici this palazza
fell into the hands of the Riccardi family and
some one sold to some one the privilege-fOr some
thousands Of pounds-of scraping this wonderful
ceiling aud the gold obtain ed that way amounted
to a goodly sum and paid well the investment.
Still it is SO brilliant in great masses of FURNISHED
gold one misses nothing. The large and long
rooms where the ball was given are hung with
priceless old gobelin tapestries, some of them so
neutral in color as to seem far away, like vista
in a wood on misty autumn day. Up the long
flight of stairs, lined upon either side with rare
tropical plants, came the seven hundred guests in
couples in groups. or singly. At the entrance of
the largest saloon stood General and Madame COrti
extending O most royal welcome to all. Nature
did much for the hostess it cast her in grand pro-
portions and gave her face that commands re-
spect and confidence; the host afable, cOurtIy,
and with that certain ease of manner that showed
he was quite sure of himself How well they
suited the great pictured Quite close to them stood
General and Mrs. Tunes Mrs. Tunes, sister Of
Madame Corti, and a
REAL ENGLISH BEAUTY.
General Tunes, C. B., was surgeon general Of the
English forces in India for many years, and now
wears his laurels under his own vine and fig tree
at his home, lovely villa in the immediate en-
viron of this city. The charming family of Mrs.
Palmer, an English lady, and related to the
Tunes, Colonel Crosby, American Consul, who
has distinguished himself in every line OF duty,
and especially so of late in the good work he
helped TO accomplish in bringing to justice some
of the ring leaders in the recent great forgeries
so active and energetic it seems pity to have him
wasted in this small consulate. Colonel Jarvis,
vice consul, the able correspondent of the New
York Times; Mr.. and Mrs. Matteini, who are well
sui, Mr. Matteini having been vice consul, at
which time Mrs. Matteini the wife of Mr.. Ora
ham, since deceased. The generous hospitality then
is always quoted as something par En-
eelence. most striking figure is Count MirafiOres,
the best beloved of Victor Emanuel's sons; hand
some likeness, too, he Is of hs'august father. His
wife is an exceedingly pretty French woman.
Young Prince Strozzi, who looks like
THE PORTRAIT OF HIS PRoGENIIoR,
proud of their family history-the Balbis of
Genoa, Marquis Correga, daughter of the beauti
full Lena Balbi, that was once the toast Of Italy.
Members of the Tarrigiana family, who have been
as philanthropists, scientists and
the San Gorgios. Mr., Mrs. and Miss
Ferguson, New Workers, who have made tenn
porary home here, where the welcome is distiuc--
lively American, and therefore most attractive to
large-cireIe of friends. The Baroness Talleryand
ablaze in diamonds, and wearing enough to buy
small kingdom Close beside her is her sister, the
Countess Bergenstein, a most loTely-Iooking
woman, who also wears jewels of great value. Mr.
iaris and Mr. Placci, bankers,
WELL KNOWN IN SOCIETY
md great authority on all social matters Miss
keane, daughter of Sir John Keane, OF one ofthe
oldest baronetcies in Ireland. Mrs. Hallet Kill
oourn and Miss Kilbourn, two young Siciiau
Drincesses Princess Carlotta, Prussian who lives
here altogether she wears great tiara Of diamonds
and other marvellous jewels. The brothers May |
nay, very prominent bankers on the continent |
one ofthem having the added attraction of beau
iful American wife and no less lovely daugh- |
er; their home is also social centre The Fenzis
also bankers, and inhabiting a fine paIazzo, |
where they entertain with lavish hand. Captain |
md Madame Daugell, the lady niece of Sir Ed |
ward Thorntonis, and sharing some of his pecu- |
lar diplomatic manner. Madame de Williamov !
Ind
A HANDSOME YOUNG son.
She wears the fine jewels given by former king |
IF Holland upon the birth of her husband, the !
ather of Mr.. Williamov late Prussian charge GGf-
airs in Washington. The family of the MarQuiSe |