The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-19

will always be known as "Glotto' tower" this is square in form and 29z
 feet high; it is considered one of the finest works of it's kind. It is four sto- ries high and decorated with colored
 marbles. The carvings on this tower and the delicate tracery seen all about
 its beautiful form from topto foundation
 are marvellous to behold. The statues which decorate this building are very
 grand and powerful; some of these are
 by Giotto, others by Donatello, Luca
 della Robbia and other celebrated
 sculptors; but it is not my province to
 write in detail of these. It is a privi-
 lege and a blessing to be permitted to
 behold this tower with human eyes,
 Ruskin says the characteristics of
 power and beauty occur more or less
 in different buildings, some in one and
 some in another. But all together, and
 all in their highest possible relative de-
 grees, they exist, so far as I know, only
 in one building in the world, the Cam
 panille of Giotta." Giotto surely must
 have been inspired to plan this heaven
 ly tower Four hundred and fourteen
 steps conduct us to its summit, where
 there is beautiful view of the valley
 of the Arno, with the purple noun
 tains rejoicing in forest and dotted with
 pretty villas and noble estates with
 richly cultivated acres, spread far and near. From this standpoint we look right down upon the Oratory of the Mis- ericordia a brotherhood of charity,
 which dates back to 1244. One fre- quent1y sees the brothers about the streets dressed in black garb, with heads enveloped in black cowls, with narrow slits for their eyes to look through; their faces are never seen.
 Close by is the "Sasso di Dante," a huge, flat, unromantic looking stone built into the wall of a house upon which Dante used to sit of summer evenings to note the silent growth of the great cathedral The Florentines regard it as sacred object.
 As we descend from the Campanille let us enter the Duomo or the cathedral, or more properly, the cathedral of St. Mary of the Lily, styled thus from the lily in the arms of Florence. An old church which stood here was destroyed in the year 1900, and on its site was built this grand edifice, the construction of which took one hundred and sixty two years; 1t was completed in 1462. Its length is 56O feet; the width across the transept Is S42 feet, the dome is 300 feet high and including the lantern S52 feet. This cathedral was without its facade till 1860, when the Emperor Vic tor Emmanuel laid the foundation stone of the present beautiful facade; this was completed in 1887. The dome of this wonderful cathedral is little high CT than that of St. Peters of Rome, It is one of the grandest objects in Europe, In fact in the world. The doors leading into the vestibule are very beautiful and date back 800 years or more. The mosaics of Ghirlandajo Q496) are very grand and striking; as we enter from the vestibule Into the interior we are astonished to find 1t rather bare, but we soon lose sight of this fact as the d. mensions impress us. so greatly with their grandeur.
 There are many monuments and grand pictures here which would take a long time to write about in detail The mosaic and pavements absorb us with their magniticence and, the fires coes are superb. ,ak
 The choir is directly beneath the great dome and is octagonal in shape, a polished marble wall surrounding the choir, and the reliefs carved thereon are dated 1555 directly at the back of the choir is fine Pieta by M. Angelo.
 In the sacristy Lorenzo de Medici took refuge in 147S during the outbreak of civil war. and his brother Julian at the same time was murdered while at tending mass in the choir.
 In the left transept there is a round marble slab which was placed there in l450, this was used in making solar ob- through an aperture in the dome. Service is conducted daily in the cathedral and I used often to drop In to listen to the chanting of the priests, but the listeners were few.
 There are. certain days of the year when special services attract great Ehrongs; when Saranarola preached | lere in 1495 thousands listened while | thousands blocked the very streets out | side. In those days the great Building | was packed hours before Saranarola | made his appearance. Let us now leave | he Duomo and walk up the wide Ca | your towards the Monastry of San Mar | 70, the home of the immortal Sarana- ola. We very shortly come to the Pal | tzzo Riccardi, an immense building like | | fortress; 1t was erected in 1430, it looks | IS if it had only recently been built | lothing but all earthquake could possi- ,ly destroy such a solid structure. The | lch, heavy stone cornice jutting out rom this palace is something to be | pecially admired and wondered at. | The air of this palace is very imposing md beautiful, like most Florentine edi- ices. Lorenzo de Medici "Il Magnih- o." grandson of Cosimo, was born .here -anuary 1, 1449, and here he resigned in ruly magnificent state. Many mem- ,ers of the famous Medici family first aw the light of day in this grand home, or it was in their possession for 230 ears. The great court and staircase re greatly to be admired. The court bounds in rich and valuable busts, nd ancient sarcophagi One very large with the representation of he Calydonian Hunt, as long ago as the ourteenth century contained the re- 1ains of one of the old Medici. It Is is beautifully carved and a work of erfect art. Some famous frescoes and ictures are to be seen here They are cry interesting and some of them date