Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04
UNDER ITALIAN SKIES
Will Carleton Views the Hanging
Tower of Pisa.
ltaly's Marble Eecentricity- The
Room Where Garibaldi Lay
Wounded.
Garibaldi, the Military Saint OF the
Ttalians-The City of Genoa.
New York Star,

| guisher of Mohammedisn, Is now know
to the world only as the possessor Of
handsome bell tower that leans Is fee
cut of the perpendicular. Il used Il
be one of those nation cities, so to cal
them. which could dominate over vas
reaches of country with weapons anc
brains. 1t drove the Arabs out of Sar
DINA, exterminated their fleet in Sicily
and sent thousands Of brave and vaguely
enthusiastic war Tors to the orueades
But nowit is snug little city of les:
than 1000 inhabitants and good for one
day to the tourist, because the foanda
tions of the tower have settled up on one
side. If the other side should settle and
straighten up the structure it would be
ruin of the town.
But no one caR deny that this tower is
g beauty, and worth spending time or
and around It is about hundred and
eighty feet high, and in eight different
stories of white marble. Around each
story is gallery with fine columns an6
capitals. An easy stairway within, Bun
ker Hill monument fashion, leads to the
top. Here you have splendid view; but
| what you principally look at is the ground
| Immediately belo~-wondering mean
while, what particular portion of it you
would accost if the thing went down with
you.
But for six centuries this handsome
marble eccentricity has stood here in this
attitude, and is perhaps good for siz
INCORPORATING the earthquakes that are
becoming SO fashionable. And as stood
| there ''chime" of seven heavy bells be
gan bowling all together, and the vibra-
tions which they gave the structure were
somewhat tremendous, making me feel
that, if the tower could withstand these
inverted kettles racket Gay after day, ii
was good for the earthquakes. But look
ing upward from the ground and looking
at the fearful angle at which it leans, one
almost wonders that it does not fall be-
fore his eyes, and eau remember no tree
that ever struck such an attitude and
lived.
The other curiosities of Pisa are rather
commonplace as compared with what one
sees elsewhere in Italy, except the Baptis
terry, which is very handsome building.
Inside the cathedral is large bronze
chandelier, the swinging Of which, they
say, suggested to Calico his idea of q
pendulum; but it is more probable that
the idea Of the pendulum suggested the
story. I have had a great many sweet
Authorizations uncovered to the raw air
of truth since entering Italy.
Much more tangible was the little
room in my hotel where Garibsldi lay
wounded three months. The landlord
has hung proudly in his hall picture
of the disabled hero, borne to his refuge
in barge, with friends ministering to
him with tenderness and love, as he giides
IL
saint of Italy. If Victor Emmanuel is
ranked as father of his country, Gsribaldi
must be called it's brother-its lover.
Few cities of any size but have fine streets
named after him. All his haunts are
pointed out and dotted upon, and his
euphonIous name is good for centuries.
The city of Genoa, a hundred miles
north ano west Of Pisa, is bewildering
mass of splendid churches and gorgeous
palaces, interviewer with he noisy vibrat-
ing strands of commerce. 1t is clean and
thrifty compared TO other Italian towns,
and beggars are SO rarely met with as to
seem almost curiosity.
There is sturdy independence among
the common people that has never in
fected the regions further south. One
humble shopgirl walked several blocks to
fad certain street for our party, and,
with smile and pleasant bow, bade US
adieu-absoluteiy refusing to accept any
remuneration for the service. For awhile
we stood perfectly aghast with astonish-
ment; one lady nearly tainted. "Please
show me the the way" che filtered at
last. care we still in Italy2"
We we're, and soon came to the grand
J.
In little garden of it's own, with beauti-
full trees and foliage around it. This
grass-strewn and flower bedded hill is in
bright, though sad, contrast to the thorny
valleys through which he sought for
Italy's freedom. His marble image stands
beautifully outlined against the blue sky,
the nobly-shaped head poised in thought
fitness. At his feet crouch a man and
woman of the common people for whom
he toiled and suffered. | asked several
passers-by whose monument it was, in
order to hear and see the manner in
which they woald pronounce the name
(only his initials in large heritage letters
upon the plot tell whom the monu-
ment is for). The loving, csressing way
in which the beloved name came from
their lips was very agreeable study.
We had seen his tomb in the Cam po
Santi, or cemetery, earlier in the day. 1t
is as sim pie as that of Washington at
Mount Vernon, with terraces beneath it
and hillside for it's backwall. Doric
columns support the small but massive
granite structure; his mothers grave is
just outside.
Near the station is the celebrated
monument of Columbus. It is more
grand than logical; for what right has
Genoa to any of Colpmbus' glory? He
was born there, to he sure, bat not at the
invitation OF the city, which considered
him during his years of struggle as a
visionary fool. To be cure, ths genera
ton that built the monument was not the
generation that sighted him; but if there
is any sense in their having built 1t at all,
it is as an apology for the stupidity of
their forefathers. They have also placed
at his feet the figure Of America kneel-
ing. No American can gaze at her In that
pos ture without feeling that it is time for
her TO rise to her feet, having already
thanked him sufficiently for discovering
her. The idea of Americas kneeliug IN
this decade to any one but God ID ab-
surd.
From Genoa to San Reno, where We
write this. San Reno Is a few miles east
of Nice. 1t is q strip of narrow MedIter-
anean coasts. backed by hotels, palm
fields, orange groves villas, and quaint
old town. It has the usual gay and lels-
urely air OF seashore resorts; music, doW-
ers and all kinds of fairy Like brlc -a-brac
for sale. The large Building i'll which the
German Grown Prince suffered for so
many weeks is now closed. 1t Is IN the
midst of beautiful gardens, in full view
OF the sea. I happened to be IN San
Reno the morning when he left here to