The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-26
THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ARNO
MANY PLA0ES OF EXCEEDING IN-
 TEREST WE'RE VISITED.


 Through the Quaint streets-The Impos-
 ing StroZzI Palace is the Most Beautiful
 in Florence.
 Dresden, April 8, 1885,
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 propose to-day to visit some of the places of interest on the left side of the Arno: we are living on that side of the river, and feel quite familiar with that section of the city. Let us go down first to the Piazza St. Maria del Car- mine, where is situated the grand old church of the same name as the Piazza. This church was built in 1422, and was ny close by. Here are to be seem the celebrated frescoes of Fileppino Lipp1 and Massaccio, which represent certain traditions regarding the apostles. These are among the finest objects in Florence. They represent the expul- sion from Paradise, Peter taking the piece of money from the mouth of the fish, Peter preaching and baptizing, and again the same disciple healing the sick; Peter healing the cripples and raising Tabitha from the dead. Here is also represented the crucifixion of Peterj and Paul and Peter before the proconsul, and again Peter in prison, It is not necessary to dwell upon these wonderful frescoes, they are truly won derful and show marvellous power.
 A short walk will take us to the Porta San Frediano, where we see a large portion of the ancient city wall with a remnant of the old moat This gate way is very massive and peculiarly Tuscan; we continue to walk along by the old wall till we come to another very interesting old city gate known as the ''Porta Romana." near the Tarri- giani gardens: then after passing along two or three marrow streets we arrive at the church of St. Spirito. This is splendid basilica containing thirty eight chapels. This old church was commenced in 1292; in 1470 1t was re- built on a grand scale. This is one of the most beautiful churches in Italyi the architecture is simple but most inn pressive and elegant. The proportions are most harmonious, and it's interior is the wonder and admiration of all who visit 1t. No less than thirty-five fine Corinthian columns support the ceiling, which is very beautiful. The details of the interior fairly bewilder and aston I IA Aes IaO11
 The beautiful combination of pie lures, frescoes. marbles and fine carv- fngs is truly marvellous, but I will not detain you by a recapitulation of de- tails.
 Further down beyond the Pitti pal ace, near the bank of the Arno, are two or three very interesting old palaces, and just beyond them is the church of St. Nicollo; this was built about nine hundred years since. used to pass bhis church as went to and from San Miniato, and always stopped to take a good study of its interior. In the year 1850, after the city had surrendered to the Medici, M. Angelo, fearing death at the hands of his enemies, hid away in the tower of this church for some days. Even then the church was an aged one, fully five hundred years old,
 Many delightful strolls can be had through the quaint streets of this sec tion, but let us retrace our steps as far as the Ponte St. Trinita and cross over the Arno to the Piazza St. Trinita, where is erected a granite column which was placed there in 1563; on its summit is statue of Justice; this is of porphry; the column originally came from Upper Egypt, and later from the famous Baths of Caraccalla at Rome. This historic shaft points to the glori- ous days of ancient Rome, and later I hope to say a few words concerning those wonderful Baths from which this pillar was brought. The church of St. Trinfta was built over six hundred years ago; within it is the celebrated Coppela de Sassetti, adorned with fires coes from the life of St. Francis, by 1 Ghirlandajo; these were executed in 1458 and are most beautiful to look at. | This ancient church was restored in 1885, when very old crypt was discov- l cred beneath, and in this crypt are to | be seen some very old frescoes. Close | by the church of St. Trinita rises the | grand Palace of Spini, which was built l uledrly SeVen uuIureQ years Eluce anu has the appearance of a magnificent 1 fortress; so solidly Is this built that it | reminds me of the stability of Cheops | itself. q am particular to mention | dates when buildings were erected to show how old things are in Florence). | The Via Tornobuoni runs out from the Piazza St. Trinita; it is so to speak the Wall street of Florence, for here are the offices of bankers and brokers and many merchants stores. It is an i'm, posing street and on it's sides are histor- ic and interesting palaces and churches By the way, writing of bankers, it was here in this street that banking was first known. Here in the mediaeval times bankers would congregate, and each banker had his banco or bench; when he failed to meet his obligations his bench was broken to pieces and the man himself was bankrupt (banco-rot- to). The Italian method of book-keep- ing accounts, or our double-entry sys- | tenn, was first in vogue here, and think the method of remitting money by means of bills of exchange origina- ted from the Jewish bankers of Flor anoe. On the Via Tarnobuonf rises the imposing Strozzi Palace, which was 1dOO law IViI;,oyO !