Smyrna times., 1892-11-23

grand churches, clean, broad, streets
and is very, very attractive.
From Florence we went to Venice
arriving at IL P. M. Our first ride in G
gOndola was by moonlight, on the
Grand Canal to our pension" We
started out early next morning to the
island of Lido. All enjoyed thorough.
ly tho ride on boat. Miss K. and Miss
L. bathed in the Adriatic, and after a
delightful lunch we took train, then
boat to St. Marks Square, and visited
the mosaic factory, which was very
entertaining. We saw process of max
ingbeads. The proprietor had one made
for each of our party, with our initials
and year, for a watch charm. Saw
Campanile, or bell tower of st. Mark g,
$50 feet high, commenced in the 10th
century and finished 1910. Emperor
Napoleon / ascended this tower on
horseback. There are no steps to the
summit but an inclined plane.
Took gondOla and rowed through
the Grand Canal, aud stopped at glass
factory. Rode in and out of the canals
for three hours. A most charming
mode oftravelling. Many ofthe private
gOndolas are very beautiful, 80 grace.
full in shape, and the motion SO easy,
and when needed, make very fast
time. The gondola is the only thing
that runs upon these streets of water.
1t does duty for cab and carts; every
body travels in it. The gondOliers are
very polite aud attentive. They very
rarely lift tho oar out of the water, but
push it-they call it "feathering" the
end of the blade in the water. 1t looks
difficult, but they told US it was very
easily accomplished. They turn a
corner very swiftly and easily, and
never come in collision. We returned
to Piazzi st. Mark; this is the largest
open space in Venice, and is said to be
the finest thing of the kind in Europe
Went with guide through the Ducal
Palace and st. Marks Cathedral. The
Ducal Palace was founded in the year
800. Afterwards visited the wonderful
lace factory, and saw process of max
ing lace. In the evening went on ter
race at top of our Pension, and listened
TO sweet music and gaw fireworks. a
Fete going on all day and evening. On
Monday July 18th, we visited the
Academy of Fine Arts, saw Titian's
masterpiece, the Assumption" then
turned our faces toward Milan. At
P. NJ. took train and passed through
exquisite scenery, and arrived at Hote
Biscoigue at 8 45 P. NJ.
We visited the next morning the
Grand Cathedrall It Is tho largest
Gothic Church in the world. 1t covers
an are Of nearly lOS,OOO square feet.
Its form Latin Cross. Height from
the floor to the top of the statue of st.
Mary, 356 feet. Number of statues
interior Decentralization. Upon
hrst entering the church your attention
is at once attracted by the suhdued
light from the stained windows, and
the magnificent statues and the great
size of the interior aud the rich W ood
carving of the stalls of the choirs. The
sHteriaF is more striking than the inte.
rior; 1000 exquisite piepes of statuary
NIL as many inches. The roof is filled
with Pinnacles, many of which appear
as 1t the touch would break them, &c
like are they to exquisite, delicate lace.
work. Miss M. and l ascended to the
highest pinnacle, to the statue of ST.
Mary, 4S6 steps up aud same number
down. rue view from here Is said to
be the finest to be had from any church
tower in the world. The Alps can be
seen from here, as also the Apprentices
Mt. Gents and the snow-capped summit
OF Monte CisO. This church begun il
1855. The marble was brought from
Cantagia on the Simple road.
July 20 tn, we arose at $50, break
tasted and started for Lake Como
saw the lOveliest scenery as we steam
ed from hamlet to hamlet. The watel
was very clear and blue. This is the
grandest and most beautiful lake, gS
miles long. The next morning on
Lake MaggiOre. Lake Maggiore is the
largest of all the lakes, 40 mil es long
and varies in width. Mr.. and Mrs. s.,
from Yonkers, joined our party for two
or three weeks, and enjoyed with US
the tour of the lakes and Bernese over.
land. After luncheon we took dill.
gepce at $50 p. NJ, for GrayelIona
arriving at 1880 P. NJ, thence by train
for DomO d'AssOla, where next morn.
ing we left in diligence over the Sim.
ploR Pass, to Brigue.
At this place, BFIgue, we bid good
bye to the beautiful valleys of the
hhone, aud enter upon land of ava
lanches, snow, magnificent glaciers,
beautiful winding roads, cataracts
deep precipices, and beautiful, clear
skies, and lovely Alpine scenery. Sub.
timely grand does not express
1t. Noticed the great and beautiful
variety of wild flowers, many of which
we gathered, the entire absence oi
birds, and few butterflies, those seen o
the pale yellow variety.
The Simplon is the road built b,
Napoleon after the famous battle O
MaFenga.
The scenery on this Pass appears
wilder and grander at every turn
pass bridge after bridge, and is on,
immense grand panorama of the Alps
No pen can describe the grandeur; i
is certainly beyond the power of word
to describe it. 1t is well worth tn,
whole cost of the trip from America I,
see this and the Tete Noir Pass, which
Is almost as grand as the simplon. W,
rise higher and higher, beautiful a
at every turn, until we reach the sum.
NIT of the Pass, 5000 feet above tn,
sea level. The tunnels are very mum
erOus and marvellous, and everytim
emerging from one, the grandsst seen