Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-02-20


years every baby born In Florence has
been baptized. While we were at the
altar here ON New Years. morning we
saw the baptismal ceremony. The
rotuud priest with cherubic counte-
nance, the assistant with the robe, the
grandmother proud ond solicitous,
two aunts with sparkling eyes and
olive cheeks, the father realizing his
unimportance and bis helplessness
standing with due humility In the
background, the baby ~itself-with rare
good nature-for not q whimper was
heard-altOgether there was a picture
worthy any Of the old masters or Of
the younger ones.
THE RATTLE OF WILSON CREEK IN
FLORENCE.
At Florence resides Prof. g. Tren-
tanove, q native FlorenGine, but a
n~aturalIzed American citizen. An
eminent sculptor, he has probably the
handsomest studio in Florence.
Through his courtesy we were per-
mltted 10 visit 1t and inspect the
original casts Of the famous works up
on which he has been engaged. The
central figure OF the chief room OF the
studio is the original cast OF the splen-
did Confederate soldier boy, which
constitutes the monument erected
last August at Springfield, Mo-, 70
commemorate the bravery Of the Con-
federates who died at the battle Of
Wilson's Greek. Near by is the
smaller model which was submitted
TO the committee that selected Prof.
Trentanove as the sculptor. Why
does not some shrewd American Sc
cure permission to reproduce in small
bronzes this noble statue? There are
many Missourians TO whom the Lost
Cause is dear, who would wish &c
palce the bronze In their library with
the portrait of 'Old Pap Price, and
the steel engraving Of Bingham's
'HOrder No. IL" 1t is singular tc
find suggestion Of the Missoual Con
federates in distant Florence, to SCI
Stars and Bars upon a studio wall AMI
to read the names OF Judge L. B. Val
liant, Major c. c. Rainwater, Majol
Fl. w. Salmon and the Missouri
Daughters OF the ~Confederacy.
These are not the only reminders o
Missouri and the United States in tn
ITrentanOve studio. The origina
death-mask Of Eugene Field, the onl.
one ever taken, ~ispreserved with care
a few strands Of the gentle poets scat
tering locks yet clinging to the plastic
mould. Models Of the statutes o
Albert Pike, Daniel Webster am
Pere Marquette, Of busts Of StilsoI
Hutchins and bis wife, Of Mckinley
of Bryan-these are but a few Of tn
figures and faces.
Americans will be glad TO know tina
Prof. Trentanoye will have some ex
cellent work at the great ST. Loui
Worlds Fair. One statue in particu
lar, a seated figure OF Victor HugC
will be a most admired exhibit in tn
fine arts building OF the coming expo
sitiOn.
FAMILY GROUPS IN THE oRAvEYARDs
The tombstone artist Is at his bes
in %Itsly-and bis worst. No one ca
visit an ancient graveyard, either er
closed in church walls or in an opeI
Campo Santo, without closest team
kinsman smiles. / saw in Florence sue
a cemetery. Il was a reminder Of th
time when the relatives OF the dc
ceased c0nspired toput in stone abov
ms grave his likeness. The cemeter
was flled with stone portraits an
sculptured figures Of all kinds and Il
varied positions. Almost In the Ger
ter was a family group Of specia
joyousness. The father was eyidentI
an attorney. He carried an immens
law book and was bald headed. Mn
Attorney at his side, a rather robus
woman, while four little Attorneys
one a triie crosseyed, sat on a marbl
bench at the left. In another grOu.
the artist-sculptor had presented tn
likeness Of the late lamented wit
wings and knee pants. When one get
tired and surfeited with the seriou
side Of sightseeing in Italy there !
always for relief the exquisite hume
Of a fifteenth century graveyard.
WHERE THE MEDIG ARE BURIED.
Not all cemeteries in Florence ar
thus amusing. The most famous a
well as the most interesting Is th
mansoleum Of the NEEDLES, a simple
Quadrangle structure where the Medic
princes are inferred. The building !
by Michael Angelo. This creates
artist was . true friend Of liberty
COMMANDED 70 erect the building b
worked al bis task full Of bitter fee
ings az the abolition Of the Republi
OF Florence BY n OF the Medicl
Despite this he produced some idea
monuments. The statues Of Day an
Night upon the sarcophagusof Julian
de Medlci have been much admired
IL was on this marble that a contem
porary poet wrote.
I" IT'S Night, in deepest slumber al
can see
She sleeps flor Angelo divine diI
give
This stone a SOUL and since SD
sleeps, must live.
You doubt IT. Wake her, she vii
speak 10 thee"
Michael Angelo, Ia allusi0u 10 tbl
suppression Of political liberty at thl
time, answered:
"Ah, glad am l TO sleep in stone, Will
voc
And dire disgrace rage unreproy
ed near
A happy chance 70 neither see no
bear.
SO wake me not When passing
whisper los"