The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-03


pale simulacrum OF the sidewalk cafe
and concert Of the Piazza Colonna- See
ing it, one longs TO try what so small a
thing might do for our city population-to
substitute miles OF sidewalk cafe for the
'joint" and saloon, and fiji ever open
square from Harlem 10 the Battery, or
from the Public Gardens to North
Square with tables and a band. What
relief from the infernos of our summer
evenings What step towards decent
nights,
I believe it was Professor Goodwin
Smith who advocated music in our
schools as a cure for anarchy, and got
well Laughed a as a consequence BY the
saDient; but the hard headed Roman. no
less than the supple Greek. knew the
value OF harmonized sound and move
ment, and the tradition lives in Rome to-
da- When our modern Roman sits lis
tening TO his band and drinking and eat
ing at his sidewalk cafe. he neither
5raWls nor guzzles Why should heg
His attention is fully occupied. with a
Kaleidoscope promenading crowd TO I'll
the eye and admirable melody 10 I'll the
car. for We get no "rag-time' yet in
concert the streets viii still be filed
with soothed and orderly crowds enjoy
ing the cool OF the night. and finally
when we go home. very late. or even
early, all the little roof gardens and log
gias and many a balcony high Up where
there is q breath OF air. send down the
subdued twinkle or softened glow OF
lamp or lantern, telling stfll Of outdoor
life
But let It not be thought that this is
leisure city therefore. These twinkling
lights hardly will have faded before the
streets I'LL again with the great army OF
iabor-workmen. farmers IN from the
Campagna with their produce, vendors
OF every kind. all the precursors of the
busy day before the noon siesta. Rome
IS city Of many activities. a great city.
the capital of a growing nation. An
through these days parliament has been
holding sessions fiery as the weather; the
business Of a kingdom is being trans
acted under all this leisure The king
himself left US but now, and only for the
iaborious holiday Of Diplomatic visits
The various enterprises by which 2 great
city lives are all astir: the big empo-
business nothing. indeed, is closed. ex-
cept the few pensions and hotels depend
ing on the tourists, and we have Just
consummated a lively election in which
all parties, so far as I can learn. claim
the honors Last, but far indeed from
least the very machine Of the Roman
Apostolic Catholic church is here In fun
operation. But. for all this enormous
activity, the life OF the city is still mod
lied 10 summer exigencfes.
Whether are lovelier the mornings or
the evenings OF Rome now would be hard
to say. I think II is the mornings. when
fresh figs and all the fruits Of the earth
are brought in by pretty girls and still
prettier boys Of the Campagna. and ev-
cry fountain becomes q temporary gath
ering place for a bazaar. and every lofty
flight Of steps a flower market. I think
it is the mornings, say, until I think
OF the evenings-the almost unfaning lit
tie breeze blowing from the Mediterra-
mean. the strolIs in the lex groves OF the
Pincio or the drives out to that pesti-
lence laden Campagna where the day
dies so calmly. and ths harvesters are
still at work. and all the rombs and the
arches Of the Aqueducts fade into the
shadows. and where you shall not meet a
mosquito nor a "miasma." nor anything
wore than some venerable cardinal tax
ing the only stroll permitted him IN these
political days-Tor since the occupation
a cardinal is not supposed to walk in
Rome-and then the piazzas with their
fountains in the moonlight-yes, I am
sure it Is the evenings. after all !
And Rome IS a city OF fountains. With |
cut them she would not be half Rome |
these summer evenings. and living here,
l am convinced Of their moral agency. /
I even think Swedenborg was right when
he called running water the symbol Of
living truth" Why can not we have
fountains in America? Down in the
North Square of Boston. a step from
the home Of Paul Revere, there IS a little |
apology for a fountain, and Che italians |
gather there about it. as they gather
here beside the great torrent Of the Piazzi |
ii Spagna. \ playground for the chill
5ren. a lettering place for lovers. the |
harmless substitute for afternoon tea |
among the poor. the home Of the neigh |
horhood gossip. and always and for ever |
a thing of beauty and refreshment 70 |
soul and seuse-why can not We have |
for our people? 7 could an
swer that question in California: but in |
the east. with its boosted water supply /
GRACE ELLERY CLAIMING. /