Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-20
EUROPEAN EPISTLE.
Visiting st. Peters Cathedral,
the Largest Sacred Edltice
on Earth--- ceIebra-
ted Palaces.
Monks Digging Their Own Graves
"A World-Famous Collection
Of Pictures.
A Beautifully Descriptive Letter,
Highly interesting SOth 70 In.
tending Tourists and
lStay-at-HOnAes.
Correspondence Public Ledger.
ROM, ITALY, May 5, lS|

Ing turned our faces tOWAEus luo
North, after taking lsat glance over the
Bay of Naples, the most beautiful on
earth, to tie fair islands and pictur-
esque headlands which surround it
like the fitting framework of some
noble picture. As our morning train
sped rapidly towardsRome the symmet-
rieal cone of Vesuvius faded from
sight, and the waving plume of smoke
from its summit was lost to view in
the din distance. An hours ride from
Naples, at Capor, we saw an immense
palace formerly belonging to the
kingdom of Naples, but now one of
the residences OF King Humbert. 1t
is said to be the largest in all Italy,
the walls alone costing seven million
dollars. This Capor palace is fitted
up and furnished in magnificent style,
and has rare collection of paintings
The reigning king has half dozen
palaces located in different sections
of Italy, and it is his custom to take
up his residence during some part OF
the year in each one of these royal
mansions. Upon the hill top near
the town of Casino stands a great
building like castle;this is a BeDedic-
tine monastery of the 9TH century,
belonging to the most aristocratic and
exclusive order except noblemen, and
to be eligible these must have inheri
ted their titles through
at least six generations.
In this stronghold were preserved
many valuable books and manuscripts
from remote ages. that would have
been elsewhere lost or destroyed.
This order was formerly very power
tul and influential, hundreds Of mem.
bers occupying the monastery here
where now but fifteen monks remain
The.Abbott was formerly Baron, and
the head one of all the surrounding
country. A large. and valuable
library is still treasured here
under the charge of the faithful
Benedictine monks. Our first visit,
after returning to Rome, was to the
Palazzo Doria, which is architeotur-
ally noteworthy, and historically in
teresting. This palace has an exten.
sive art gallery containing many choice
specimens of the works of the early
painters; some of the pictures were
quite commonplace, while others were
the browning achievements of some
famous master of bygone age. We
continued our drive beyond the city
gate to the Villa Albani, one of the
most attractive residences in the vi
cinity of Rome. The grounds are ex-
tensive, beautifully laid out, and are
embellished with numerous statues,
fountains, and other artistic works.
The gardens contain choice varieties
| of plants, shrubs, and exotic trees,
covered With a luxuriant foliage
Within the villa, every adornment
that wealth can purchase, or a cult
waited taste select, has been provided
to enhance the attractions of this
charming abode. All the original
pieces Of furniture throughout the
mansion we're emblazoned with the
coat Of arms and monogram Of the
owner.
Numerous mosaics are upon the
walls, and there are many tables Of
the same work. This magnificent villa
| is nsg the property Of Prince Torlonia,
who also has . residence at the Palaz-
20 Giraud on the BuFgO Nuova, with
| in the city of Rome, where the family
usually resides, making only occasional
visits TO the Villa Albani.
May 9TH.
| Yesterday morning We devoted to a
more thorough inspection of St. Pc.
ters, that being the only day of the
week on which access TO the summit
of the dome is permitted. The ascent
is quite easy to the top Of the main
| ediice, thence a stairway leads up over
the dome to the lantern. Above this
a very narrow aad steep fight Of step,
pass up through the spiFe to the gilded
ball that looks so small from the courl
below. and yet we found it large
enough TO hold sixteen persons. The
prospect from within the ball was moi
very extensive, the little slit like
apertures cut through the copper
= shells aifoFding a glimpse Of but
very small section ct q time. De
soending to the lantern we gained /
: splendid sight Of the interior Of tn,
church, the floor Of which is NOR,
thea 400 feet below. From the exte
rior Of the dome We had a grand view
OF the city, and oGG into the countr,
for long distance. On ons eide tn
prospect embraced nearly all Of ga
Gent and modern Rome, while in tn
|; opposite direction the scene was strict
= ~ rural one. The city seems to en-,
y abruptly at the colonade Of 81. Peters
! for on the other side Of the churol
J the green fields aud wooded slope
y extend to the veFy walls Of the sacIe
y edi6ce. Within the grand dome th
u picture from the upper gallery is ver
i striking. The great height above tn
: tesselated pavement OF the churcI
!, produced a singular optical effect i
+ that we could scarcely realize that tn
" misFoscopicsl objects that We sa'
j. moving about the floor yer
;, veFitabie hgqsn beings. After reach
u ing the lower gallery we we're sti
/ within the dome, ana Eors than 20
l. feet above the floor, from which poil
J, there is q charming view Of the gran
= mosaic pictures aud other artistic dee
" orations. We now came out on the Al
y roof OF the church itself, the front {
e which is surmounted by fggres Of III
y Evangeksts aud other statues. Hay
y ing surveyed the exterior Of st. Peter
o. We descended by AZ essy stairway
4 if2 steps 10 the nave Of Cha ohurcl
{ Though net the most beautiful, s
" Peters Is by far The largest and mo
s imposing ecclesiastical adifce
J. earth. The church covers al sFea
y, 100000 feet, or nearly 6 acres,
y length being $40 feet and the extreu
IT width $50 feet. The dome is 400 fe