Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-04
EUROPEAN LETTER.


ny1papD svusELL STILL sIen1.sxS-
re r. yIAuYIYuL rIO1HNck'
xSip q ! TALL fsvsr-A Memorable Prison
csli-A nenasssry-rusiie ssAosl-
Astronomy.
ser.~s., eorrxspondsncs Of the Dispatcn.|
FLORENCE, February -, 1886.
We continue 10 explore Florsncs
viii never. Hsgsing interest, and have
sven BEEN up $50 steps 70 the top Of the
tower Of the Palaxs0 vscchio, which
Maids the well-known bell named vaccs,
Or The Cow, that has sounded through
centuries on important occasions
Nearly 800 feet above the ground We
examined the prison whore Savonoroia
lsy for fifteen days previous TO DIS !,
death. Il 10 really only cell
built In the thick wall, and IS about
IL feet long BY 5 feet wide. IL
has slit on the outside for . winaow
from which the prisoner could not look
without bis eye lighting on the cnuicn
Al Santa Croce, the stronghold OF his
nrisstlv antagonists. Higher up we
ioss ali thoughts Of human suffering ana
hatred in the surprise that grests US.
What sight of the cathedral and cam
psnile We have from the top oil this
Vsccs tower. In the streets close
down beside them the bulk Of the ca
thsdral il 50 overwhelming that an a.
tempt to grasp it as whole ends in utter
failure. and the campanile is so tall
that II il . neck breaking proceeding to
try and look up at the top. Ihen' on
first acquaintance, the strong contrast
Of the black. white, and red marble IS
ant to lar on the eye accustomed 70
Gothic eyennoss Of color. But 1t tnis
elevation al the symmetry and grace
al form Of the cathedral and the calm,
m,iestic beauty Of the campanile that
for over 500 years has stood unsnr.
passed burst on us with force we had
never dreamed OF.
LASTING IMPRESSION.
The minute details Of carving and trace.
~ can only be detected close to them but
tSs grandeur of outline and height and
the domination they exercise over every
thing around is altogether lost, and can
onlv bs seen here. Below one feels
everything is too much crowded to-
gether: the houses are too near and too
Sjeh. and it is not till one has
been ND to this most elevated oil
spots that the magnificent thoughts
that created these beautiful forms
can be appreciated. And when they
are appreciated they keep such hold
on one that little else for days after has
mower to draw the mind away from the
remembrance. We looked away mo-
ment at the river, Santa Maria, Novella
and other campaniles, but soon turned
hack 10 the sight that kept US SPELL
bound. Going down We held our
breath, and forgot to give even a
thought to the tragic person that had
excited our curiosity and wonder on
the way up.
In Italy many Of the churches are
without ornamental fronts-that is to
saw. the ordinary bricks Of which the
building is constructed are uncovered
and present the hideousness Of a blank
wall. slightly modified by artistic forms.
The cathedral of Florence remained 30O
years in this state, for the unfinished
facade designed by Giotto was removed
in 1858. with the intention of putting
M another, but it was not till recently
that the intention was carried out. The
rest of the cathedral, covered with q
panelling of white, black, and red mar
BILE, the side-doors ornamented with
exquisite carving and costly mo-
ssics, were q reproach to the
principal entrance, which only boosted
of handsome doors in a plain brick
wall that must have been a veritable
eyesore. The foundation-stone of the
new facade was laid by King Victor
Emmanuel, and the work is expected
TO be finished this autumn, when an
opening ceremony is to take place. AT
present the scafolding is up, with a
protection of mating from top to bot
tom about two yards from the building,
and visitors are allowed to 60 up and
inspect the progress Of the work. There
are solid landings in the scaffolding, and
as the stairways up to them have rail
ings the ascent is easy, and a near sign
Of the facade well repays the trouble
Dark green, red, and white mar
bles are used, and much fine carvlnl
has been done in the white, especially
in the archways. Figures larger thar
life Of apostles, saints, and popes are OF
each side, the principal ones being IL
Yecesses covered with Florentine mosaic
in colored stone. In the centre IS to D.
. large figure Of the Virgin, the oni..
one not in place, and two large arch
ways have yet to be filled wit
Venetian mosaics in colored glass
With the exception Of these latte
mosaics the whole work has bee
done in Florence, and the cit.
is Justly proud Of the achievement
We could not Judge what the effec
would be when the scaiiolding is re
moved and the whole facade exposed
but we noticed the separate parts wer
very fine, especially the statues and tn
carving round the canopies. We wer
particularly astonished with the grea
height and breadth Of space, being GOV
cred oil over with fine carvings ant
statuary In o work Of modern times
The style is Italian Gothic.
A MONASTERY.
The Certosa or Monastery OF Va
d'Ema is three miles from Port
Romans, or city gate on the road tn'
leads to Rome. II consists oil u
usual buildings, and is situated on II
top of . hill named Montagulo, and o
approaching it has much more the al
pearance Of an ancient fortress than
anything ecclesiastical. 1t is only STINT
TIE union of the kingdom Of Italy tn
ladies have been permitted to enter with
the precincts Of this or any other mona
teYy. A such visitors were forbidden
TIA rules Of the order. The Ce-tosa
about TO be dissolved, IS SO many OF
era have recently been in the kingdo
Of Italy, and at present only . fe
monks remain, and they are thorough
seeulaSixed. The brother who show
Al 4. - Il