Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-08-15
In Sunny Italy.
VENICE, ITALY. July IA. 1901.

Dear Frie7adS-About seventy-five of
Prof. Powers people swarm about this
hotel, and twenty or so more have
been expected and are I believe to ar
rive about midnight. I write at desk,
| looking up occasionally to see the gon-
dolas glide by. 1t is after eight o'clock
and l have just lighted two candles
and shut the three windows to keep
out the mosquitoes. To go back; last
Wednesday Mrs. Powers left our party
at Brescia and came on to Venice to
make arrangements for the four par
ties. I came with her. 1t has been a
very quiet, restful time with something
of investigation aud sight seeing.
There are no cobble stones to walk
over here, there is almost no dust in
the air or in squares and lanes, there
Is no driving. The boats are for the
most part noiseless. The steamboats,
which pass twice each ten minutes are
comparatively quiet ones. Until the
people came, the chatter of the Condo
liers stationed at the ferry just here
was all the commotion we heard. The
meals are served with little noise.
We had a fine shower here from five
to six. We have mad no extremely
warm weather. Sometimes it is rath-
er too warm in the sun, but there is
much good shade and there have been
but three or four days when at some
time or other l have not needed my
jacket. The papers report warmer
weather in Paris since we left the city.
l am glad to find myself enjoying the
best in art. Professor Powers is cer-
tainly an inspiring teacher. This
at three of Titian's most famous paint
ings. The Presentation, Assumption of
the Virgin and his Pieta. We looked
too at series by Carpaccio on Ursu
las adventures, and st. Marks by
Gentle Belline. Two hours spent thus
is much more fertile, Professor talking
and questioning all the time, than a
much longer time in wandering through
room after room glancing at every
thing. This afternoon two or three of
us went in a steamboat to San Saliva
tore and saw Titian's TRANSPORTATION
and Annunciation and Carpaccio's
Christ at Emmaus. From five to six
Professor lectured on Art and Religion.
very good. Then there was hymn
singing for half an hour, then dinner
for an hour or more. A lady played
beautifully, almost anything called for.
just now there has rowed up large
gondola with players, singers and
Japanese lanterns. They will take up
q collection from the crowd soon. 1t
is not so noyel to me as it was three
or four days ago. have had some
delightful gondola rides. In the mar
row water ways the shade is pleasant;
as we are rowed towards the sea the
breeze is delightful. Some of the sum
sets, two at least, have been charming.
There is garden in court of our odd
old hotel. 1t has rose bushes from
which we have picked several flowers
at our window - second floor. The
garden has fine magnolia in bloom.
some palms, oleanders, pansies and
vines of different kinds. An old man
works in it with the EXTREMIST deliber-
alton. The water here is good and we
have ice. In Florence where we are
to remain a week the water is not oon-
sidered safe. l don't like the bottled
water much but think l shall buy it.
One day went alone to the Public
room for which was obtained
by destroying number of monasteries. !
1t is very pretty there. | went, too, to
the island of Lido, fashionable bath
ing resort-a favorite with the queen. |
l wish you could see how the men
their boats here, These men
afford such a pleasing contrast in phys
lque to the fat, lazy looking coachmen
In the cities we have passed through. |
The gondoliers have many quiet nap
in the shade, too, but their exercise
makes them sinewy and graceful.
Z. T. MAY.
u-.-,or T,Ix, IA JQ01