The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-06-02
OUR FOREIGN LETTER.
Especial correspondence Of the PRESS,
GENOA


Every American when abroad should make
pilgrimage to Genoa and cast into its treas
ury votive offering, in the form of fees and
the purchase of ornaments of silver filigree
work as complimentary service due Christie
pher Columbus's native city. Early in the
morning we sailed forth to pay homage to
the memory of the great discoyerer, who
lifted the veil of mystery from our
blessed country. At the Palazzo Dorio
Torsi, formerly the home of the queen
dowager, but now the house of the mu-
nicipality of Genoa, is fine portrait
of Columbus, wrought in mosaic, the most
durable mode of coloring, and two of his
original letters, which we are ashamed to
own, no one is allowed to look upon, on ac-
count of the gross misdemeanor Of one of
our own countrywomen, who tore piece
from it. Had we not heard of even greater
thefts of archaeological treasures, we should
have discredited this story and resented it as
Islander, until in the next room we were
shown the photograph, with the outline Of
the piece nipped out of the folded corner,
which testified to our sisters guilt. 1t was
signed with the peculiar signature X to fe-
rus, which was suggested to Columbus for an
emblematical autograph by the legend Of St.
Christopher bearing the infant Jesus across
the stream. That Columbus evidently wished
to link the tradition of st. Christopher with
his own endeavor to bear the cross to Ameri-
ca is clear; since we find on one of his ear
liest maps of his discoveries in the New
World sketch of the saint bearing the holy
child on his back through the waves.
After turning from these relics of profound
interest to all Americans, the custodian ex-
hibited next a relic which might possess a
charm for musical people in divers national
tiles AS he opened the lid of secret mural
cabinet, we saw leaning on the softest cush-
ions of rose satin Pagininis's favorite violin,
from which he used to draw strains of won
drous melody In the next palazzo we visited
we saw casts of Rossini and Paginini; Ros-
SIM was jolly looking, and so fat he could
Just meet the tips of his fingers over his TO
tunda; while Paginini was dressed up bum
die of violin strings, tied in knots at the
Joints. His attitude was twist OF angles,
and his face revealed soul which could SUI
fer excruciating agonies over a discord or
would as quickly die with ecstasy at har-
mony.
The private palaces which are often open
to the public, are gorgeously furnished with
fine tapestries, carved furniture, rare an
tiques in porcelain and paintings by many
of the old masters. Among hundreds of pic
lures we especially remember few por-
traits admirably painted by Van Dyck. One
of the Marquis Guilio Brignoli Sale on horse
back and his wife Lady Paola, the folds OF
whose dark peacock velvet dress with gold
trimmings were painted with so much grace
that they quite deceived the most critical eye.
A little child dressed in white, one of Rem
brandt's great successes, and a man, who
has been known for ages in the history OF
art, by pair of tucked red sleeves.
As an ancient or modern city Genoa is very
delightful. Sitting on high cliffs, it commands
exouisite views of the Mediterranean 1t
abounds in parks, gardens, statues and clean
broad streets on the upper levels. We must
always take one drive in the old parts Of
every town. where luxurious and modern
conveniences to which we are glad to return
at night are unknown, that we may see how
the other half of the world lives When We
compute the multitudes jamming this way and
that in the alleys, which are often mere rs
sures between the blocks OF houses We