Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-03-03

centuries. This palace was begun
about the year 1870 for Luca FIFTH,
the head Of one~of tbs richest AID
most powerful political families Of
Florence.
The building progressed for twenty
six years in the slow and substantial
way IN which palaces were then con-
strueted. At thai time, III 1885, Luca
Fitti's political conspiracy failed
against the still more powerful house
OF the Medici, and Pitts downfall
caused his unfinished palace to fall
ultimately into the hands of his rival.
Building operations were again be-
gun, but the great structure was not
finished until 1549, or 100 years after
IL was begun.
1t is Florentins palace OF that age
OF splendor that Mrs. Gardner Is going
to bring to America and set up in Bos-
ton. The magnitude of the work may
be imagined when Ii is considered
that it Is mais of huge blocks OF stone
weighing over a ton each. They are
ohiselled only at the edges so as to
give an increased effect OF ruggedness
and vastness. All these pieces will
have to be numbered as they are
taken down so that they may be set
up in the same relative position as
they now occupy.
There will be many ship loads OF
the walls and marbles used in the in
terror decorations. Besides this, the
paintings, statuary and furnishings
will have to be packed most carefully
and brought over in passenger steam
ships in the care of attendants.
The hail on the ground floor of Mrs.
Gardeners palace Will be devoted to
paintings and statuary. Many of these
works of art will De brought from
Italy. But Mrs. Gardner win also add
now in her Boston home
to this collection many choice pieces
The private museum of art she will
throw open to the public. Her own
private apartments will be on the up
per floors.
The location which Mrs. Gardner
has selected for this palace and mus
cum combined is in Boston5 fashion
able Back Bay district. Il will front
on the Fens, the park near the Charles
River. This will show off the classic
proportions of the building to the
greatest advantage
Mrs. Gardner already has three
splendid homes IN Massachusetts Her
town house is In Beacon street, Bos.
ton the traditional home Of the Hubs
aristocrats. She mas another mansion
on large estate in the adjoining sub
urb OF Brookline, while her country
summer home is a. Beverly.
Nearly every celebrity that has Wis
tied Boston for over a dozen years
has come under the spell of this fas
cinating woman and become a figure
at her afternoons"
She has received the title OF Mrs
Leo Hunter, Of America" on account
of her fondness for social lions.
But these were only the milder
phases of Mrs. Gardners ecceatrici
ties. She startled all grades Of Bos
ton society by hiring box to see
! Corbett box.
She started the society woman FAD
of feeling Sandow's muscles.
She went to the summer Pop
concerts and drank beer in public.
She borrowed a lion from the Bos
ton Zoo and paraded 1t before the
| public.
She mopped up the steps of a fash
ionahie church on her knees as a pen
ancA during Lent.
1t was by doing such things thai
| Mrs. Jack" has succeeded In givinf
! certain freshness and variety Il
! Boston society
To cap the climax Of this long lis
| OF achievements needed some great
deed great even for Mrs Gardner
and she has done IT,