Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-09-29
FLORENCE, italy, Aug. IA, 1892.


We were from three o'clock until
nine last Tuesday coming from Rome
to this place. The country we passed
seemed dry and parched by the sun
The low-lying Apennines were blue ant
had hazy dim light on them. We
passed large lake, Lago Trasimeno
surrounded by olive-clad hills; it wa:
very beautiful. The sunset was re
markable. Our lunch was good-rolls
buns, cheese, white grapes, peaches
and pears. The fruit we get is very
large and delicious. The moon came
up just before we We reached the city,
so our first sight of Florence was by
moonlight; but the electric lights put
the moon in the shade.
On the way from the station we pass.
ed the Duomo and Giotto's tower. My
first impression of them was pleasing
particularly the tower, as I have seen
more of them.
We are staying in Pension Chapman
which is owned by the mother of our
pension keeper at Rome. She is old
and is out of town now. The house
keeper is jolly white haired lady who
speaks English: Our pension is in
part of the old Borghese Palace on Via
Pandolfini. Napoleon and Josephine
once lived here, and in the parlor there
is fresco on the ceiling showing jose
phine driving four-horse chariot. We
are about halfway between the DuOmo
and the Ponte Vecchio. The place is
much patronized by Americans, and
the cooking IS more like ours than at
most places. For instance, instead of
having hard rolls three time day, we
have them only at dinner, and at the
other meals have sliced white and
brown bread. This is the first place
we have had coal oil lamps in our
rooms; it seems strange to see them
again.
The week has been delightful. lam
charmed with the city, and wish |
could spend a winter here sometime.
Wednesday morning we went first to
Santa Croce. There are so many mon
uments that it has been called the West
minister Abbey of Italy. Michael Angelo
is buried here, and Calico, and there
is beautiful monument to Dante, and
one by Canova to Alfieri. Then there
are paintings by Giotto and Andrea del
Sarto.
We went next to Palazzo Vecchio,
the old capitol. 1t is curious build
ing with an odd tower. The whole
square there looks as 1 had expected
from the picture. At one side of the
place is a huge fountain representing
and his chariot Opposite the
Palazzo Vecchio in the Loggia del
Lanzi, grand open-vaulted hall with
in it, one of Perseus with the
Medusa head, another, the Rape of the
Sabines. In the Loggia were men
selling matches, baked pears and guide
books. Down by the steps leading up
TO it, were lemonade and watermelon
stands. Men were lying on the stone
having nap in the shade of some wall
Dr. column. It is common sight in
Rome, too, to see men sleeping on the
pavement.
In the Palazzo Vecchio we were
shown the hall that Savonarola had
made for the council. In the end of
his is very large statue of Savonar-
,la in his gown with one hand raised |
Is if he were uttering some of his proph-
,cies. In one room are several humid |
ed flags of silk beautifully ornamented |
With fringe and patterns. These were
sent from different parts OF Italy to a |
celebration in honor of Dante some |
Tears ago. We were also shown the |
chapel in which Savonarola passed the |
asst night OF his life.