The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-26
IMPORTING 4 PALACE
Is the Latest Thingin the Line
of Souvenirs.
FROM BEAUTIFUL VENICE
Mrs. Jack Gardner Will Bring
One to Boston.

New York, Dec. 3-The Journal says:
Mrs. Jack Gardner, Boston's noted So
ciety leader, who will arrive in New York
this week on the KaserWilhelm der Gros-
Sc. brings back from Europe most ex-
traordinary souvenir.
1t is a set Of plans and photographs Of
an Italian palace. which she IS going
to have transported across the Mediter-
ranean and Atlantic and set up in Bos-
ton with all its are treasures as me-
mortal 10 her late husband.
This quite outdoes all of Mrs. Jacks"
past performances, with which this for
mer New York girl Isabel Stewart, has
been surprising conventional Boston for
nearly a score of years.
Last December her multimillionaire hus-
band, Mr.. John Lowell Gardner. Of Bos-
ton, died, leaving all his millions to his
wife.
She promptly went into the most fash
ionable mourning But she really showed
her deep sorrow by refraining from do
ing anything startling for nearly year.
She went to Europe last June. and
sought seclusion by hiring Venetian pal
ace for the season.
1t was there that she formed the plan
of buying an Italian palace. rich in art
treasures and classic in design and trans
porting it TO her American home.
Gable advises to some OF her art-loving
friends in this country announced last
week, just before Mrs. Gardner sailed for
home. that she had obtained a palace.
built during the Florentine Republic,
about four hundred years ago
This was at the time when Florence
was at the height of her prosperity. 1t
was in the Renaissance period, when
Florentine art and architecture We're the
finest in the world.
The Pitt Palace, designed by the fam
Gus architect, Brunelleschi. is one Of the
best types of FEorentine palace. such as
Mrs. Gardner has prchased II was built
during the Republic. in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries. This palace was be-
gun about the year 1440 for Luca Pitt,
the head of one OF the richest and NEST
powerful political families Of Florence.
The building progressed for twenty-six
that palaces were then constructed. At
that time, in 1866, Luca Pitts political
conspiracy failed against the still more
powerful house of the Medici. and Pitts
downfall caused his unfinished palace to
fall Ultimately into his rivals hands.
Building operations were again begun
but the great structure was not flushed
till 1549. or 100 years after it was begun.
How thoroughly the work was done is
shown now, for after more than four cen
turtles 1t stands solid and unimpaired.
There is evry indication that 1t will en-
dure for a thousand ye%s to come.
The building which has so successful
~ defed the touch Of time, has thousands
of other art treasures. Few European
palaces can equal it in the number OF its
fine paintings.
To copy any one OF these an artist has
to make application five years in advance
so numerous are the seekers for the
privilege.
The view of the Pitt PAIGE Is most i'm
posing from the Bodoli Gardens.
The Pitt Palace Is an example in its
interior finishings of the splendid Flor
entine houses Of the period in which it
was built. It's floors are mosaic malachi
tie and lapisazuli. It's walls are OF sculp-
tured marble
Even the doors which you pass through
have frames OF varigated marble The
lofty ceilings are covered with paintings
framed in gold Every niche has a
statue. One Of the noted pieces Of statu-
airy is that OF Cain and Able in the Hall
Of stufa. There are large wall paintings
and pictures in frames Of the Renais-
sance.
There IS tradition Of one Of the own
ers OF this palace who lay dying within
its walls. A priest endeavorsd 20 con
sole him by telling him q the glories OF
heaven when the dying man exclaimed:
Father, how glorious it may be. 7
would rather have the Pitt Palace"
one OF the priucmipal features Of most
Florentine palaces IS the courtyard or
hollow square In the middle Of the build
ing. opening TO the sky. Round this court
are arched colonnades Fountains play 81
the centre.
Most Of the rooms on the ground floor
OF the building open out into this court
and massive stone staiTcases rfse from IL
to the second story.
Il Is a FIoreutine psjace o. that age
Of splendor that Mrs. Gardner is going
70 bring 10 America and eet up in Boston.
The magnitude q the work may be i'm
agined when g is considered that & e.
made OF huge blocks ot stone weighing
over A ton each. They are chiSeIled Only
az the edges 50 az g. Rlse an increased
effect % Tuzgs5ness and vas'ness. Al
these pieces vii have 70 D. numbered A.
they are taken down 50 that they may
Sc set Up In the same relative position
as they now occupy.
There will " May ship loads ~ the
walls aud .he ma-aie aEel 60 tne irter-
io- decorations Bs5ez trlF ere paint
fn-s e-afuarr and Furnishings vli have
% b. packed noaat carefully and a-19E7t
ove- in passenger steau1rsl. ~ la ias care
q attendants
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