New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-06
SELLING THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA

A fine, an unusually fine, opportunity will short
" he offered to the lovers of bric-a-brac TO
contest for the ownership of unique piece which
cannot be duplicated. 1t is announced, apparently
on trustworthy authority, that the famous Leaning
Tower of Pisa is TO be disposed of at rallie
at an earlv day. 1t would be a work of superoga-
ton to remind collectors that this will be the
chance of a lifetime. Leaning towers are very
seldom thrown upon the market. Any enter
prisng secondhand dealer can flor, at all
events will take--an order for Egyptian num-
mics chairs from the Mayhower, locks Of Wash
ingtons hair bullets from Waterloo, splinters
from the gangplanll Of Noah's Ark, and numerous
other rare and interesting things. But the most
resourceful of the dealers will hardly undertake
10 obtain a genuine leaning tower for one of his
customers Hence it is that the coming rattle
AZ Pisa is certain to be largely attended and
the tickets to command a premium.
But word Of friendly suggestion to collectors.
Go to Pisa prepared to be disappointed, for it
would not be strange if at the last moment the
tower is withdrawn and the rattle declared Off.
IT is likely to occur to Pisa. on mature reflection
that she cannot afford to part with what for
centuries has been her chief attraction. Had
it not been for the tower, ages ago she might
have dropped out of the remembrance of the gen.
has long been one of her leading industries.
What would L be without my total depravity? 7"
the venerable dame inquired of her minister.
What would Pisa be without its leaning tower I?
As 10 is travellers 20 or from Rome accustomed
to halt there half day. The town, like many
of its fellows in Italy, has 90 glorious future
behind it," If it ever expects to brace up and
boom, Pisa must lean SO kindly toward her
leaning tower that the vulraP scheme of making
the venerable and romantic structure prize
in game Of chance shall fall through.
Woe TO him whose daring hand profanes
The honored heirlooms of his ancestors.
Tourists, with the inevitable red-coyered "Baede-
ller" in their hands. come upon several leaning
towers as they go about Italy Bologna in par
ticuar has pair of them to which she points with
pride She is Pisa's chief rival when it comes to
leaning towers. One of hers is much higher than
Pisa's, but then neither of them leans as much
and the chief function of a leaning tower is TO
lean One of the Bologna towers is four and the
other ten feet out of the perpendicular, whereas
the Pisa tower is thirteen feet out. Should the
rattle take place, and the prize as is likely TO hap
pen, 20 to America, then the leaning tower cham
pionship will pass to Bologna. In that case. it
cannot be lone bcfose Pisa will find herself in the
| hands of a receiver.
We feel authorized to add that in the event OF
the towers reaching this country and being pre-
sented transportation charges paid by its gener-
ous-heartcd new proprietor to this metropolis, II
viii be given as conspicuous a place in Central
| Park as was awarded 10 Chopatras Needle But
where is the engineer who will take the contract
for rcerectng il in the Park that it shall lear
thirteen feet from the perpendicular and still be
| safe?