The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-07-31

arriving at Grand Hotel about $50 p. m.
After refreshing ourselves with a good
wash, we walked few blocks to the beau
tiful cathedral or la DOme' as they call it
here. 1t has such graceful, airy exterior
looked to me like something so frail that
a breath would extinguish it, think this
effect is produced by the numberless dainty,
slender spires or turrets, each of which is
crowned by life-size figure. There are
over two thousand of these figures, all
works of art. Then on the sides are inches
filled with statues Of saints, martyrs, etc. l
think admired the exterior of the Milan
cathedral and the interior of the Cologne
most. The Milan interior in magnificent,
but there are not SO many aisles as in
Cologne and the columns are further apart.
making the arched ceilings lose the peculiar
graceful beauty which those of Cologne
possess. That was my impression at least.
The exterior of the Cologne cathedral was
perhaps more noble and impressing, but
some way the cobwebby effect of the Milan
cathedral was more pleasing to me. The
interior of this church was also interesting.
There was the statue of st. Bartholomew,
represented flayed, with skin on his shOul-
der, horrible but wonderful, several beauti-
ful paintings, the valuable bronze Candida
brum of thirteenth century. wooden crucifx
of s. Carlo BOrr0meO and the tOmbs of st.
Barnabas, BOrrOmeO and many other saints,
under the high altar and in front of the
choir. We had to tear ourselves away about
four o'clock as we were thoroughly tired.
On the way to the hotel we passed the
beautiful statue OF Leonardo de Vinci,
erected in 1872. After dinner we had in
tended to take a drive, but as it rained hard
we stepped into q tram car. thus getting
cool, refreshing ride and seeing little of
the city. Mrs. w. and | had adjoining
rooms and on reaching them. ordered ice
and lemons, and indulged in cool lemon
ade. 1t tasted so good, after being dOsed
with tea. coffee, appOlanaris water, etc. l
drank a little water in some places, but not
since we have been i'm Italy until that night.
| feel now as if nothing would suit me bet
ter than good drink of OwossO mineral
spring water.
Before going any further l want to tell
you of the roses at Villa D'Este; such a
peculiar color, salmon pink, and they grow
on tree-like bushes, as large as our snow
ball trees. They do not have such beauti-
full roses in Italy as in Germany. but oh,
such delicious fruit. have seen and eaten
apricots in Italy. for the first time. They
are very good, but not as juicy as our
peaches. which seem very rare here. /
priced some on the street today. which were
franc piece. | didn't indulge. The
cherries are delicious and so large, also red
and white plums-elegant. ! see Ill the
fruit stalls lemons on the stems and figs in
their green leaves.
To 20 back to Milan. Wednesday after
an early breakfast, took q carriage and
drove until train time, 10:45 a. m. Passed
many fine palaces and visited the old church
S. Maria dele Grazie. In the refectory of
the suppressed monastery adjoining this, we
spent little time gazing at the LAST Sup
per-" of Leonardo de Vinci, and the several
copies 1t is painted on the wall and is
very hard to trace without the aid of the
copies, one of which is very fine There is
OH the other end of the room great fresc0,
'Crucifxion," by Montorfano. The guide
opened three little doors leading from the
refectory to the monastery grounds. which
are now used as barracks. All around the
big court yard were horses munching hay,
and soldiers lolling about, while above the
hay racks, on the stone walls all the way
around, were beautiful old paintings by De
Vincl's pupils, most of them greatly de-
faced by time. Also visited st. Ambrose
and passed many others. / was sorry to
leave Milan, but had to hasten on and saw
what we cared most about. Went by way
of Turin to Genoa.
Well, we arrived at beautiful Genoa
about half past five or six, washed and had
dinner at seven p. m, then took stroll
through the quaint business streets. Met
General Garabaldi's daughter, who is a
fright Next morning right after an early
breakfast we took a drive around the city.
Rode upon the heights, where you looked
down on the beautiful harbor and got a
fine view of the city, visited the Campo
Santo Cemetery-the thing to see in Genoa;
never saw so many beautiful statues and
monuments. We left Genoa for Florence
about noon, arriving there at 6p. m. A
long journey, but most of the way very
comfortable and interesting For long
way out of Genoa, were on the shore OF
the purple Mediterranean, which is the most
beautiful body of water i have seen. SO
many different colols on its calm waters.
yellow, blue, green and far out deep,
beautiful purple. Then the rocky coast
was so grand. We passed through tunnel
after tunnel, making us all impatient, as it
hid the sea from view. Soon we came to
more luxuriaht vegetation, cactus growing
everywhere along the railroad, oleanders in
profusion, red, white and pink, etc. 1t was
lovely as dream mot the nightmare kind. J
We saw the leaning tower at Pisa, plainly
from the train. Not as high as L imagined
it. We were very hot and dirty when we
finally arrived at Florence, New York Hotel.
l will remark right here that the only italian
have encountered thirsting for American
gore has been fiendish mosquito in my
room. 1t has good supply of Americana
enough to last long time l fancy, by the
looks of my hands.
Venice. Left Florence last night at $3.50,
arriving here at $50 this a. m. Slept till
0 o'clock, then breakfasted and went to st.
Marks square (walked) and fed the doves
with corn which we bought for ten centimes.
The doves are so tame that they light OH
your hands, arms, head-very pretty. Went
in the cathedral at the end of square--won-
derful, covered with MOSAIC work. Both
sides and other end of square are lined with
beautiful shops. This morning at depot we
stepped into gondola and were brought
quietly and stealthily, 1t seemed to me, to
the steps of the hotel. This afternoon Mrs.
g. came, and while she rested Mrs. w. and
l took a gondola, entpast the palace where
Desdmona lived. also Byron's home; every
thing looks so ancient and strange. Visited
a glass factory and enjoyed watching the
workmen so much. Got out and walked
over the Rialto bridge, lined with Jewish
shops Passed Palace of Doges and Bridge
of Sighs. Everything so quiet and restful
and perfectly charming.