Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-21


Shelley and Byron, and wondered tina.
surroundings so calm and gentle could
not have tanned those fiery spirits. Inc
Italian Government is increasing the
size OF the dock-yard at Spezis consi-
dersbly, and | presume would IKE 70
carry out the great Napoleon's dream
and make it the first in the world
There are several large SHIPS IN
the docks, some being cleaned ana
renovated and others IN process
Of construction. The greater part Of
the important machinery in use comes
from England, and the name OF Arm
strong. a well.known English maker,
appears repeatedly on the different
pieces. There was one crane used Tor
lifting the heaviest parts Of the IRON
clads into position that was formidable
in size and power and made one shud-
der as it lifted an enormous iron casing
and transported il to the deck OF the
shin. We rowed out to see the Italia,
the largest iron-clad afoat, and the
pride of Italy just at present. we
spent half an hour on board and saw
the big guns and other show parts.
FLAG PRESENTATION.
A short time after our visit some
Florentine ladies presented a flag to the
Italia, and after the presentation there
was q dance on board, which was much
appreciated by the guests. The day
We went on board constant stream
of small boats was going backwards
and forwards TO bring visitors from the
shore, and this multitude of tiny craft
clustered round the vessel helped to
show off her great size. Be
fore returning to the hotel we
went TO see fresh-water spring
that shoots up in the bay and
creates circle Of ripples twenty-five
feet in circumference. 1t was not
good show day for this phenomenon, so
we only saw it by dint of agreat deal OF
ocular concentration. The Notifications
round Spezia are much more clearly
visible, and show an evident determine
ton in the Italians to protect them
selves at all hazards. Our rooms
looked over the bay, and from morning
to night we found the greatest pleasure
in watching the changing aspects of its
beauty early morning, its soft calm
ness; midday, with blaze of sunshine
pouring on it and flashing back a
thousand sparkling lights and contrast
ing shadows, and the chastened moon
light throwinga mystic halo over it
all had their charms. We could not
make up our minds when we liked 1t
best. but as we took leave of 1t IN
broad day, the tyranny Of last impress
sions seized us, and we decided that 1t
Is best when arrayed to defy the strict
est scrutiny. A couple of hours by
train brought us to Pisa.
CARRARA MARBLE.
We passed the stations of Massa and
Arenga, the junction of the short-line
of rail to the CarIara marble quarIles,
and at both stations innumerable
blocks Of marble lay ready for trans
po1tation. In short time we came to
TO stretch of fat, manipulating
country formed around the mouths of
the A1no, and then we were soon at
our destination. We stayed a couple
Of days to see the sights-the Cathe-
dral, leaning tower, baptistery, and an
cient burial ground. AS usual after
leaving anything really beautiful, we
had lost the impression of their attrac-
tiyeness. 1t seemed we had
half forgotten how well they
stood and how easily the
whole could be seen at glance. In
the interior Of the Cathedral the sixty
eight columns stand like magnificent
forest of trees, and a tribute, too, to
the proves Of the Pisans, for each of
these Roman and Greek columns was
taken as spoil from various cities con-
quered by them in the eleventh century.
We walked up and down the aisles and
marvelled that they stand yet without
signs Of decay, as we'll as being grouped
together in imposing and graceful order.
However Florence may have finally
overcome and surpassed Pisa in art, the
latter at least led the van and had al
ready her three fine buildings finished
before Florence had begun hers.
A TRADITION.
Moreover, it is a matter Of tradition
that Florence was induced to build her
Cathedral because she could not bear
to be outdono by Pisa. We often talk
over our pleasant trip, and conjure up
remembrances of the delicious morning
air, the exquisite dreamy feeling of
going along for hours in succession at
an easy jog-trot, the ever-changiDg,
ever-lovely views, and last, and not
least, the sense Of not having to keep
our minds and bodies up to the exact
second of railway and Roman time. The
inns where we stayed for luncheon
always afforded US, among other things,
macaroni, chickens, wine, coffee, and
fruit, and sometimes they were very
good, and sometimes they were only
medium, but they were luckily never
all poor at the same place, so that ii
one failed we could make up on the
others. AS we came along we were
constantly afraid of losing the fine
weather, but except for the cold winds
at Genoa, it was good enough to bear
us company to the end, and not TILL w
were domiciled in Florence did we real
ize that winter had caught us in 1T
grasp. MILDRED hosshLh'
Her Body Full of Needles.
A Kittanning pa special says
Miss Josephine Weaver, OF this place