The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-10-21

ing views OF the city, we proceed.H to
the famous cemetery OF Campo Ssnto,
about three miles out in the suburb.
On or. way we saw a vcTitable old
Roman afueduct running on the side
of the hills for carrying wafer. a part
of which is utilized for the modern
waterworks. We reached the cemetery.
and soon saw that it is very novel
place. so entirely different from the
American idea of cemetery. 1t is
square in shape, and covers about ten
acres. This square is completely sur
rounded by covered gallery one story
high. The rear of the gallery is an I'M
broken wall. The front towards the
inside is an open arched wall giving
full light inside. This gallery is about
twenty feet wide. Under the pave
ment next to the rear wall. or in tombs
prepared for the purpose, are buried
the aristocracy of Genoa. In the open
ground outside of the the gallery are
buried the CLOVER millions. The dis
lance around the cemetery through
this gallery is over half mile. In this
gallery is the most magnificent collec-
ton of monuments and statues [ have
ever seen. l was fairly bewildered
with the view of the almost innumera-
bic works of art that were presented
to our gaze. There was one monument
next to the rear wall, with life-size
figure of deceased husband lying full
length on catafalque, with statue
of Christ standing by the side. with
one hand extended over the figure and
the other over the kneeling statue of
the grief-Stricken wife, with her hands
claspcd in front of her, all cut out of
pure white marble, the statues of the
husband and wife being lifelikc. The
rich laced dress of the wife, spreading
over the steps of the monument, was
most exquisitely carved, so much so as
to appear real. On the steps was a
large wreath of flowers, also cut out of
white marble.
On the steps of another monument
was the kneeling figure of daughter,
also lifesize and lifclike, with basket
of flowers. Standing over her is Il
statue Of an angel. with one hand point
ing to heaven, emblematic of hope, all
sculptured out of white marble. \
most remarkable specimen of the high
est work of art, is two life-sized statues,
one of a deceased young woman, in
flowing robe. and the other an angel,
with Outspreading wings, trumpet in
one of her hands, pointing to heaven
with the other. both moving heaven
ward together, all cut out of one i'm
mensc block of marble, and resting on
a marble sarcophagus containing the
remains of the young women repre-
scented By her statue. This is most
wonderful work of art. On top Of
tomb is a sofa-like couch, with the body
of a deceased husband laid out on it.
covered with 4 sheet, and his widow
leaning over it in the act of lifting the
sheet from the face, in order that she
might have another glimpse of the
features of the loved one, all cut out of
one block of white marble, and the
statue of the widow is likeness and
life-size, her hair and dress appearing
SO maryelously real.
On another tomb was a catafalque,
on which was cut the full length figure
of a deceased wife, dressed in a white
robe, her head resting on pillow, and
the statue of her mourning husband,
dressed in an ordinary suit, standing
lovingly by her side, gazing at her fea-
lures, all in marble. In front of 4
tomb is the full-size kneeling figure of
the grief-stricken wife of the deceased;
standing behind her is q Young man,
her son. hat in hand, leaning against
the tomb, all in white marble Seated
on another tomb is large sized figure
of the Angel of Death. with heavy
flowing beard, arms folded in a con-
mood. On the steps of
tomb are the statues of two mourning
young ladies, one with wreath of i'm
mortelles, being led by the other to
the tomb. These are also EkenesseS
and lifc-size and cut out of white mar
BILE. In front of the door of tomb
is the statue of Sorrowing wife, with
her child behind her. Standing in front
is an angel consoling her. pointing to
heaven. In front of the door of an
other tomb, containing the remains of
R husband and father, is the wife and
mother, with hands clasped, looking
to an angel, who is point
ing with one hand to heaven. Behind
the mother stands young man, her
son, in an attitude of grief. On the
opposite side from the son is the
daughter with a wreath of flowers.
All life-size and likeneS5es.
On the door of tomb is the medal
lion likeness of deceased husband. In
front the widow stands raising her
two-year-old child TO enable it to kiss
the medallion of the father BY the
side of the mother is another child
4 very pathetic design.
The most extraordinary work is
family group cut out of gigantic
block of marble, representing the life
size figure of a dying father on his
death bed. On a chair by the side of
the bed is one of his daughters, COM
pletely overwhelmed with grief. Near
the foot of the bed is the grieving
mother being led and supported by a
young man. her son. On the other
side of the bed are three other daugh-
tiers leaning over the bed watching the
expiring father. one of them leaning
close to the face evidently intending to
give a parting kiss. Behind these
daughters another son is standing
gazing at his father, who
was evidently breathing his last.
These eight figures are all life
size and likeneSSes. This group
is the most magnificent work of
art L have ever seen. Moth |
ing l have seen outside of Italy
can compare with it. How such
an extraordinary work could have ex-
sted and not be more known to the |
world than it is. l can not understand. !
1t mrst have cost more than 800. 600. |
for the blocks of white marble out o; |
which it is sculptured must have
snnnMh hare frnm fifty to one |