The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-17
ART FULL AND FAIR
A Highly Descriptive Letter From Wichita
Lady.

"A
Lady.
From letter written by Mrs. Malvina
| A. G. Walden, now pursuing her musical
| studies in Milan, Italy, to Mrs NJ. NJ
Murdoch, we make the following extracts,
which will undou btedly be read with
pleasure by her many friends and admirers
in this city. Mrs. Walden writes that she
expects to reach home in the early fall 1t
will be remembered that Mrs. Walden and
her mother spent the first few months in
Germany:
Thus far, while at
Milan, my time has been entirely taken up
with study, and we have only visited few
places of interest, aside from the churches
and theater. We have done them both
ample justice. Milan has eight theaters.
OF which three give operas the year round;
SO it is easily understood why this should
be called the land of song; when they
never are without singers in their midst,
and the people are remarkably intelligent
IN understanding of music, even the most
ordinary class. 1t is generally known that
Milan is the most critical city of all Eu-
rope in song and music in general. How
ever, think Germany is ahead in orches-
ira concerts. But if anyone is received
well here, they can go the world over with
out fear
Now, that the pleasant weather is again
making its appearance, we shall visit all
the places of interest, such as art galleries,
museums-of the churches we have al
ready visited fifty; there are about forty
more to be seen; some of them are most
ancient and highly interesting; three of
them especially worthy of mention is the
Passion church, founded in the fifteenth
century. with sixteen enormous alcoves,
containing five paintings of Christ
from the time of his birth
GraZia contains some wonderful
paintings, among them the famous picture
of the Lords supper by DaVinci. The
Chiesa Alexandria must be seen to be APP
preciated. 1t is quite an old ediice but in
an excellent state of preservation. 1t was
built in 1902, the wood work is all carved
by hand and is magnificent. 1t is kept
highly polished and the richness in color
caused by old age. gives it more the ap-
pearance of bronze than wood. There are
five steps leading up to the alter, all
laid in stones The altar is of bronze and
simply grand. The pulpit is truly
marvel, it is formed like a half alcove set
on pedestal, and is entirely inlaid with
the rarest gems of every color; the organ
ing, paintings and the arches are perfect
works Of art. This church is the, or has
the most aristocratic congregation of
Milan. AS to the famous Cathedral of
Milan, OF course everyone knows of its
grandeur, yet there are some points of in
terest not generally observed by the
tourist. particularly the state of st. Sebas-
tian, a marvellous work of art, it is entirely
void of the skin (presume you know he
was one of the martyrs, being skinned
allve), and every vein in the body is visible
seemingly under the flesh; also the skin,
of the entire body is in one piece
and form drapery, thrown over the right
shoulder is even the perfect form of the
skin OF the head; with the beard and the
closed eyelids, at the ends of drapery
are the hands and feet with the nails. one
description-yer it is not, but
it is wonderfully human to be
cut of marble. 1t is considered
the finest work of art in the Duomo
Another old church San Lorenzo (octagon
alp with the sixteen columns of old San
Lorenzo Maggiore at the head of the col
umns set in the stone, is the picture of
San Lorenzo the martyr. The columns
are perfect ruins, but every precaution is
taken to keep them up as long as possible.
They are all braced with iron rings; they
are enormous in size.
San Eustorgio is very ancient, founded
in the fourth century. You can not con-
ceive the strange impression that takes
possession of one rambling among these
old ruins. one feels more like wandering
in dreams or in centuries of the past in
stead of the present age
l do not say it to boast, but there are
few Americans that see Europe as we are
seeing it. 1t is impossible for the tourist
only viewing city hurridly to see it as
one who can take it leisurely. Then also
think it necessary to know in a measure
the customs and character of the nation
sojourns, it has great
bearing upon all things. | am sorry that |
Americans IL general when writing home. |
while abroad, as a rule, do not discrimin
ate well in regard to the customs of this |
and her people. For instance |
when they speak of Germany it seems they |
cannot think of any thing else but the |
beer and speak of it refectingly. OF course |
# tourists stumble into any restaurant. |
caffe, beer hall or garden, not knowing !
what class frequent it, they may not be |
altogether favorably impressed, but very |
seldom will they find anyone outright |
ooisterous, while it is true in Germany |
hey indulge n great deal in their |
beer, but the German always knows how |
much to take. In the eight months |
We were in Germany l never saw man
intoxicated, and you would be surprised to
zee the magnificent furnished caffee. where
ruly refined audiences as If it was place
% drink soda water or lemonade, where
he nobility themselves frequent. But one
must know where to 90. | am not at all |
n favor of the drinking habit, but it is
wrong idea that the Germans should be
bought not to think of something more
levating or have other amusements The
Germans themselves despise the drunkard
IS much as our own nation, and therefore
say one must live in a country and learn
o know the nation before Judging. For
here is the wine drinking and no
loubt some of our visiting Americans are
hooked to see party of three or four
ven ladies, come in and order the differ
mt kinds OF wlne-but the Italians are
'rought up on 1t. Wines and truly good
vines are very cheap, while tea and COTE
5 very expensive, especially tea, a good
quality costs from three to four dollars a |
'ound, on account of the exhorbitant
uty. l dare say there are many Italian
antilles that have never tasted tea. while |
ven the peasants would not consider a
neal without wine on their tables ii is a
roduct of their country. Yet when our
americans come here they invariably ex-
lain, What drinking nation" The
English have their ale and stout. 1t
GEMS in all Europe each nation have their
average, and yet are not drunkards. 1t
5 wonderful of the quietude and good
rider that prevails, and / assure you
re lind as many refined and
Ugh minded people as in our
wn land. l hastily excuse the tourists
or their oft unkind remarks, as of course
hey have not the opportunity of going
nto society TO meet the desired class of
eople, and only those that have that op-
ortunity and understand the language.
an judge the diifernt nations Alright.
during our sojourn on the lakes last
ummer we met some lovely italian PEG.
lie. find them a very warm hearted and
enerous nation. Speaking of the lakes
eminds me Of my promise to tell you
omething of Isola Bella (the Isle OF