Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-09

umns Of smoke, and Ct frequent inter.
walls stones and pieces Of lava are pro.
ljected to q great height. Resumine
our drive, we soon reached the Car
thusian monastery Of st. Martiuo,
once fourishing institution, but now
suppressed. aud under the charge oil
the Italian government. Visitors are
admitted on payment Of a fee,of one
franc each. There are but FIVE monks
remaining of the original number and
these live in great seclusion in apart
ments at one end of the building,
The chapel belonging to the convent
was splendidly decorated and proved
to be quite an interesting sight. One
picture by. Guido Reni was specially
noteworthy, as 1t was the last produo
ton of that artist, the Savior child
being still unfinished, while the other
figures are beautifully wrought, A
Descent from the Cross" by Spag-
noletto, is considered his greatest
work. We were told that the carv-
ings that adorn the stalls or chairs
we're made BY one monk, who was
forty-two years in completing his
work, Around the altar are many
precious stones-one topaz of immense
size; also ruby Of great worth. The
museum connected with this monas.
terry has q fine collection Of old china,
used the monks, and made several
hundred years ago; also tapestry and
glassware, rare mirrors, ancient Ma
jolica ware and many other very
curious and interesting objects.
This monastery is famous for
an excellent liquor called Char
house, said to be a wonderful cordial.
After leaving tho monastery we con-
tinued up to "Uapidimonte," famous
palace which is occupied part of the
year by the reigning king. 1t is built
upon a commanding height and is a
very imposing structure. Upon ar
irving within the court yard we were
very politely received by an usher in
livery, who escorted us through the
state apartments. The picture gallery
is very extensive, and we were sur
prised to find so many choice works of
art. Some pieces of antique statuary
from the ruins of "Hadrian's Villa"
at Tivoli, were in the collection. One
large room contained specimens of ar
tistic china ware made at Capidimonte.
Another room, which was a great
curiosity, was made wholly of china,
the walls as well as the ceiling being
entirely covered with porcelain, the
doors and even the elaborate chanda-
lier were also composed of the same
material, in fact, everything that met
the eye excepting the locks upon the
door, In this room was of procelian
ware. Other rooms were filled with a
varied collection of arms and weap-
ons gathered from various nations,
showing the gradual development of
implements of warfare through many
centuries, and embracing specimens of
the most improved FIRE arms of the
present age. On our return we met
several large parties of students on
foot accompanied by their tutors, who
seemed to be enjoying holiday ram.
Bile. While in Naples we frequently
saw bodies of troops marching through
the streets in different directions, and
we observed the same thing in Rome,
showing that Italy is under arms.
Recruits drill and maueuver every
at sunrise in the square front.
ing the Grand Hotel, so that we are
wakened by the bugler's note, the
measured tread of armed men, or the
elang Of their muskets as the soldiers
ground arms on the stone pave
ment. Altogether, it appears very
warlike, and we Gao readily believe
that the Neapolitans do not mean to
be left behind in the struggle that
seems to be impending. We visited
the immense theater of San Carlos,
said to be the largest on this conti-
nent There are six tiers OF boxes or
galleries one above the other, all the
seats commanding a good view of the
immense stage. The new ballet of
Excelsior" is the chief attraction, its
performance occupying whole even
ing. This production really has plot,
and is SO far different from the ordi
nary ballet. One or two of the scenes
are laid in America. We were told
that it would be produced in the
United States next season, and if it is
performed with tina same elaborate
care and placed on the stage in the
style as in Italy it caunot fail to be
very popular. A. NJ. G,