The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-03-07
A VENETIAN PALACE.
ROBERT BARRETT eRoWNlNe's BEAU
TlFUL HOUSE.

Relies Of Two Poets Dear to Thousands.
The owner Regards All Visitors as His
Guests and Is Unusually Kind.
On the Grand canal at Venice there is
a singularly interesting group Of build
ings. First, at the corner of the small
canal which every tourist traverses on
his way 10 and from the station is the
great red pile known as the Palazzo Fos-
carl. IL is now used az sort Of business
college, and young yenetians learn
bookkeeping in the banquet halls Of the
old doge. Next to it are two gray and
ancient buildings, leaning against each
other and the Foscari for support They
form one Of the Gustiniani palaces and
harbor "a mosaic factory. Beyond is a
solid and rather gloomy looking build
ing somewhat aloof from the neighbors
and with a broad semicircular flight Of
steps leading from the pillared entrance
down into the water Of the Grand canal
The posts outside for the convenience Of
the gondolas are painted a dull brown in
contrast with the blue and white posts
of the other palaces High iron gates
close the entrance
Tho first trip you make on the watery
highway Of Venice your curiosity will
DO satisfied in regard to this palace, II
ON no other point, for every gondolier
knows the Browning palace. Get him to
poke tho nose Of his gondolas between
those brown posts, and IL the custodian
is not in sight ring the bell beside the
iron gates. A rather grabbed looking
man will let you in. and with gruff-
ness which is only, as it We're, skin deep
tell you to go through the court and up
the broad staircase at the rear.
In the court you will find bronze
statue Of beautiful woman, about
whose nude body a serpent has coiled its
folds. She holds its head to her bosom
and looks at IL with "a strange fondness
If you like speculation, you will begin
to wonder what manner Of man it is
who modelled this figure, and you Will
climb the staircase with more than ever
Of anticipation, for the sculptor is Rob
ert Barrett Browning, the sole heir to
the names of two great poets and the
master of the house you have come to
see
AT the top of the broad stairs the Gus
todian will bo waiting for you at the
doors leading into great hall with IA
high frescoed ceiling by Tiepolo and "A
polished wood floor. If you are rs young
as it is to be hoped you are, you will
take an experimental whirl across this
shining expanse while the custodian s
back is turned. Result, an enyious sigh
when he announces that this is the sale
du bal You sigh again oven more visit
fully when he tells you that few years
ago Emma Games spent a month as a
guest in this palace, aud that every even
ing she sang to her host and his friends
Ms they sat in the great easy chairs you
see ON that island Of rugs at the other
end of the hall AS if it were NOT
enough 10 have this delightful old pal.
ace without also having one of the great
singers Of the world come and ill il
with music You become more than
ever orthodox ON the subject of SIC
whom that hath shall be given "
Tho custodian unwittingly helps tC
ground you in the faith by leading you
through one apartment after another,
filed with beautiful old wood carving,
old frescoes, inlaid cabinets and pic
lures and statues by the owner of it all
More interesting than the works of art,
however, are the reminders of the two
poets whose personalities are so dear tC
thousands Of people. Here is bust OF
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, modelled
by her son, and her portrait by the same
careful hand, and there is an earlier
portrait of her, more beautiful thar
those one generally sees, and bust Of
her as a young girl, with the cur!s in
the same way that she wore them al
her life. In one corner is the small writ
ing desk she used, and near it is the
bust of her husband. In a small alcovs
is reproduction of memorial tablet
in Florence.
One is surprised to find how livable this
big palace has been made In the first
place. the owner in addition to the kind
ness of permitting people to visit the
house has added the courtesy of regard
ing them as probably honest Mos
'show" houses are scrupulously swept
and garnished of everything which
makes them homeliko and real They
contain "A barren array of chairs, tables,
and SO ON, but that is all Mr.. Brown
ing has been kinder TO the visitors,
whom he evidently regards rs in a way
his guests. There are books ON the table.
there is music ON the rack in the music
room, and thoro are interesting photo
graphs of his father and mother. IL,
makes you feel as if he understood why
you came and was glad You look at his
own photograph with kindly interest
and are not sorry, after all, that he has
a palace, and that Emma Eames cam'
and sang to him.
He is, MS shown by this photograph, 1
man Of 80 or 80, with dark hair. which
in your present kindly mood you regret
to see SO thin ON top. He has n darl
mustache and seems well built follow
quite as capable of riding across countr,
us of painting the pictures and model
ing the statues with which the adjoin
ing hall is filed.
The dining room, looking ont ON tn
canal, has a fine big fireplace, line,
with polished brass. You long to SCI
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