The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-04
ESPON NOE.
Letter from Italy.
PRAToLINo, Dec. 18th,

MesSrs. Editors, Travellers pass by
the route of Bologna, only short dis
tance from Pratolino, without the least
suspicion that the forest which they be-
hold contains royal mansion-for not
single avenue announces it. The pre-
siding idea of him who constructed
The Palace of Pratolino
seems to have been to form an abode of
mystery. A single narrow, unequal way
leads to a square in the centre of the
park where the house is situated, in such
manner as not to be seen until you
arrive before it. This vast court is sur
rounded by railing supported and united
by pilasters of the rustic Tuscan order
On the left side in front of the palace,
and beyond the trellis work, there is a
large tract of ground covered with trees,
at the extremity of which the genius Of
John Of Bologna placed the Colossus Of
the Apennines, in reality statue Of
Jupiter Pluvialis, of grand style, majestic
head, bushy temples Drawing the tempest
and covered with hoar frost. His hair
descends like ioiolos upon his large shoul-
ders, and the locks of his beard resemble
stalactites. In order to add to the ex-
traordinary effect of this Colossus sort
of crown is placed on his head formed of
small jets deau, which fall upon his
shoulders and rolling over the whole fig
ure make it sparkle in the rays of the
sun. A view of this statue justifes the
claim for John of Bologna that he was a
worthy rival of the great Michael Angelo.
Erected in the 10th century under the
direction of one of the Medici, the Villa
Real di Pratolino united all the grandeur,
beauty, riches, and ingenuity which that
remarkable age could furnish. Fran
cesco son of Cosmo de Medici, it was,
who transformed this savage, rough spot
on the side of Mt Morello into a secret
asylum of beauty, consecrated it to mys-
terry and silence, and shrined within it
that Bianco Capello, whose singular his
tory presents striking example of the
vicissitudes and revenges of fortune. The
hand of nature had prepared the ele-
ments, that of the artist had only to re-
duce them to symmetry The forests
which covered the ground needed only
the axe in certain parts, or to be formed,
In others, into avenues. The thick tufts
OF trees pierced by winding path ways,
were transformed into inextricable laby-
rlnths. On all sides fountains sparkled
up, whose waters were collected in vast,
basins, or fell In cascades, carrying along
into every part the freshness and gentle
murmur of their motion The woods
composed of frs, laurels, and evergreens,
seemed the asylum of perpetual spring
The pleasures of the chase and angling
were provided for in the park stocked
with wild animals, and the waters with
tlsh OF every species. The experienced
gardeners transplanted thither the rarest
trees and flowers, and brought to perfec-
ton the fruits of all nations In short
this retreat called to mind the delicious
abodes which the voluptuous Emperors
OF Rome retired to in pursuance of the
counsels of Epicurus to lay down the
purple and crown themselves with the
roses Of pleasure. In this vast enclosure.
tenced'in with forests as by an impene-
trable curtain, the Tuscan sovereign for
got fame In the lap of pleasure. The Sc
duct1ve Blanco Capello was the queen of
these solitudes; frequently armed with
the symbols of Diana, and surrounded like
her with nymphs, she traversed the woods
10 the sounds of horns; more frequently,
however, she wandered through these
paths with her lover, consecrating them
with monuments, alas more durable than
their happiness.
a person must have resided in italy
or in some torrid climate to appreciate
1e delight which the shade. the mur-
mus and the flowing of waters can pro-
dre. 10 an Italian, the sweetest ele-
lent in Johns delineation of paradise is
he voice of many waters" The apbor.
sm OF Rousseau, which at first appears
IKE paradox, is founded in the strictest