Smyrna times., 1882-07-26


bottom of deep well would have
very good idea of the appearance of
he Tower as seen within from the
base, especially if the we'll happenedtO to
be quite off the perpendicular.
began to climb leisureiy to the top,
but could not prevent myself from
edging toward the center as | walked
around on the leaning side. Itseemed
to me that my weight alone would
cause the whole structure to tOpple |
over.
This wonderful Tower is about thir-
ty feet in diameter at its base, and is
one hundred and forty-six feet high.
Ifany one of my boy-readers should
climb the one hundred and ninety-four
steps to the top without feeling inclin-
ed to hold on to the higher side and
tread very lightly on the lower side,
he would have steadier nerves than the
" Hoosier" boy who climbed the Tower
that night. The stairs are worn by
the tramp of millions of feet, for the
curiosity of people since the year liza
has led myriads of them to climb the
steps of this remarkable ediice, to
reach the place where GalileO was wont
to 90 to study the heavens.
There are in the belfry six large bells,
which are still used. The largest one
is said to weigh six tons, and is hung
on the side opposite the Overhanging
wall, perhaps to aid in balancing the
Tower, which is twelve feet out of the
perpendicular. | believe that it is still
unsettled whether its Oblique position
is the result ofaccident or design. The
foundation is in low, wet place and,
it is claimed, shows signs of having
sunk many feet farther into the earth
on one side than the other. The top
story also leans back perceptibly from
the lower side, as if built to cOunteract
the sinking of the foundation.
After resting awhile at the top OF
the Tower, | descended and walked
over to the Raptistery. Its magnificent
bronze doors, SO celebrated as work,
of art, could be seen to advantage thai
night only on the side on which th'
moonlight fell.
Close by the Baptistery stands thu
solemn, anciet Cathedral, finished il
the same style of architecture as tn
Tower. 1t was the swinging of tn
ancient bronze chandelier in this cath
, edral that suggested to GalileO the ide
of the pendulum, and thus originate
the method of marking time which
, used in some clocks.
l had almost decided to remain o
the Plaza, and in the vicinity OF thcs
three Justly celebrated objects,-th
Tower, the Baptistery, and the Cath'
dral, Until morning hut ] had no
become very tired, and the desire ft
e rest and refreshments decided me
e make an effort to find my hotel.
z must confess that this seemed to me
{ greater task than finding the TOwe
VI ! was in the situation of the India
d who could not find his wigwam-l
was not lost. but the wigwam was.
W was not lost, for I knew where | wa
ie but it was my hotel that was to
'0 found.
lc Off | started, however, to the end
!" the Plaza opposite to that | had ent(
ie ed, and here ! found a wide, heautit
Oh street, and proceeded along it for hi
an hour, came to a handsome brid
'i' oyer the Arno, Upon this bridge
- paused to take my bearings, and pr
IT, emily described the dim outlines of I
n old friend, the ruined Cathedral. F
'et lowing the street along the river TO
o. few squares, and turning the corner
~ the Cathedral, l came once more
Gu the street on which stood the hot
!" which l finally reached in safety j
=, T" at daylight, and received a hea
ny welcome and many congratulate
im from the old landlord. II. FretGg
iiP- in ST. Nicholas for august.