Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-24

l
OF Fra Angelica and Fra Bartolom
meo. the two famous artisists who
were members Of the Dominican
brotherhood and were monks here.
Lorenzo de Medici, the Magnificent
was busted in what Is known as the
De Medici Chapel OF San Lorenzo
Church, and yesterday We saw his
skull. His tomb is one of the most
magnificent specimens of Florentine
architecture and cost $4,000 900. which
in those days went as far as 10000
900 would today. 1t was designed
by Michael Angelo and contains some
of the best work of that greatest of
artists. but he whose power and
wealth were unlimited. and to whom
the world owes the splendor of this
great city and the development OF
fifteenth century art, is nothing now
but dust. and recent Investigations
have shown that his body was strip
ped of the jewels which were buried
with him. In 1895. for some reason
or another. 1t was decided to open
the tombs of the De Medicis, when
to the horror of all concerned. 1t was
l thAt Iht COAhuo udu ptcu
plundered. When this was done no.
body knows. 1t might have been
centuries ago and probably was. be-
cause the moment the caskets were
opened the skeletons crumbled to
dust, with the exception of two bodies
which remained in a remarkable state
of preservation. The phenomenon
was explained on the theory that they
were SO saturated with poison that
ordinary decay had been arrested
The skulls of Lorenzo and Giuliano
de Medici, his brother, were taken
from the tombs and are now kept in
urns in room adjoining the chapel.
The marks upon the skull of the lat
ter leave no doubt that he died by
violence.
The last of the male line OF the
De Medicis. childless old man of
enfeebled mind. died about year
ago upon an estate about six miles
from Florence, where he had lived in
seclusion. The head of the family
at present, descendant by the fe-
lei, who married a daughter of VIII
liam Waldo Story. the American ar
tist and author. 1t is only since the
death of the old recluse that he has
added De Medici to his name, but his
lpaternal ancestors. the Peruzzis. were
a family almost as famous and have
nothing to be ashamed OF. Baldas-
sare Peruzzi, a contemporary and
friend of Raphael, Q481-l5S6) was one
of the greatest of architects and built
some OF the finest churches and pal
aces in Italy. Some OF the later gen.
erations were bankers and among the
richest in the world and several Of
the family have been prominently in
politics and enjoyed high honors. In
modern times the Puzzis have played
an important part In the unification
of Italy and the father of the Marquis
was chamberlain at the palace.
About ten years ago the marquis
bought one of the old estates of the
De Medicis which carries the title
with it, and assumed it for the first
time, although there has always been
a prejudice in the family against titles
and his ancestors declined them re-
peatedly, both from kings and popes.
Signora Peruzzi- -Medici resides in
Florence and has three children. The
oldest son is lieutenant in the army,
the second is at school, and the daugh-
ter recently married a broker in Bos-
ton named Eldridge. She is now liv-
ing in that city, very different fate
from that which the De Medicis de
serve.
10, IS No
tached to the Church of San Lorenzo
is refuge for homeless cats, and
every day at noon the monks feed all
the stray felines that come In hungry
Sometimes only q dozen appear. but
often as many as forty or fifty, and
on some occasions hundred have
been counted.
A good story is told OF the origin OF
the Bartolini Palace, one Of the most
famous in Florence. 1t was built in
1920 with money obtained by the own
er in a celebrated speculation. In
those days Florence was the great
wool market. but, according to the
rules of the guild, which were simi
lar to those OF the stock exchanges
nowadays, no man was allowed to sell
or buy before a certain hour upon u
certain day appointed by the oficialt
of the guild and properly announced
Hence. it was customary for farmers
, to send their wool to Florence ant
offer it for sale when the bell rant
on the morning of the date appointed
and buyers came from all parts o
Italy to make purchases
Mr.. Partolini, who was man q
prominence in the wool trade, gave {
, dinner the hight before the marke
, opened in 1920, and invited all the mer
r chants who had come to Florence L
, buy wool to attend the feast Som,
, of them were mean enough to say tina
| the wine was drugged. but they al
drank great deal of it and the fest
, vities were kept up until daybreak
when most of the merchants were I'm
! der the table. The host drank moth
: ing. and consequently, when the bel
. sounded the hour when trading nigh