The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-06

which we associate with Moorish work.
-ksuch as one finds it in the courts of the
+ Alhambra- The Arab pendentiye decora-
ton often occurs. The columns of gram
lite or marble have Norman sertngth;
the capitals are exquisitely carved. Sicily
is, in fact. a meeting-point of Oriental,
| Italian, and Northern influences; and out
of these varied elements there has grown
what one cannot call a Sicilian style,
because it is not an expression of native
/ Sicilian genius but is really a sort OF
resultant of various foreign forces and
methods. meeting in this point of con-
| tact, which was only a point of con-
| tact, and not an independent center of
| creation. AS the interest of early Siciiian
history lies in the STRIFE of Phoenician,
| Hellenic, and Roman elements, SO the
interest of the medieval architecture of
| the island lies in the blending of Chris
tian and Mussulman styles and influences.
Though there are no buildings of con-
spicuous merit later than the thirteenth
century, such pieces of work belonging TO
the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries as
the stupid passion for restoration has al
lowed to survive, show a touch of Arab
character in the form of the arch of door
and window. No great church, no great
papace, remains from these centuries, but
there are in many churches little bits.
fine in their origin, sometimes, also Of
delicate execution. Neither are the pal
aces Of the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries to be despised. Some which
may be seen in the old parts of the city,
now abandoned to the poor are dignified
in proportions and rich in ornament.
Spanish influence is sometimes discerni-
BILE; but when one remembers how long
the connection with Spain lasted. one is
surprised that this influence was not
stronger. especially as there was no
vigorous national feeling to resist it. For
Sliciy has always been receptive. Neither
in architecture nor in painting nor in
sculpture-nor indeed, since ancient Greek
days, in literature-has her people shown
any marked originality.
In its external aspect, Palmero is among
the most picturesque Of south European
cities. 1t has not, of course, the charm
of Venice or Florence. None Of its build
ings, except the cathedral at Monreale,
is comparable to several which those
cities can show. Even Siena or Perugia
has preserved more medieval dignity
and variety The new or northern half
of the town is handsome enough, because
the straight streets are well built and
some have trees planted along them, but
it is entirely fiat and tame. The lower
part, which lies along the sea, is very
dirty, and not very old or peculiar in its
type. But the southern half of the town,
great part of which belongs to the ff-
teenth centuries, while many houses must
be of a date still more remote, is full Of
variety and beauty. The streets are
mostly narrow and often winding, seldom
crossing one another at a right angle
and a few such have been cut during the
last two or three hundred years-its en-
is closed either by the cray crags Of
a mountain or by the sparkling blue of
the sea, and the joy of this lucent nature
without is brought into the town. There
are few big squares. but a great many
little piazzas or irregular open spaces
Qargo). Trees stand here and there in
the streets; oranges rise above the gar
den walls; projecting houses break tbs
line of the narrow street; there Is end
less diversity of form and color. Water
is not plentiful, but the streets are kept
fairly clean, and there is movement
of people and vehicles, not few we'll
appointed private carriages, which gives
animation. and makes the place feel it
self after all "a capital--quite as much
local capital as any Italian city other
than Rome
So ono may say of Palermo that it is
.<rtl
where even the extreme poverty of the
meaner quarters and the profusion OF
deserted and dismally blank churches, and
converts Ga phenomenon even more mo-
ticeable in the smaller cities of Sicily do
not depress the visitor. 1t has not. how
ever. that strong individuality which a
city derives from the association either
of its natural features or of its build
ings with great events and dramatic
scenes, or from the expression of the
historical life of the people through a
striking and distinctive architecture.
Augsburg and Nurnberg, Edinburgh and
Stockholm, Prague and MOSCOW, not to
speak of the cities of middle and north
ern Italy, have in a sense more charac-
ter than Palermo has, though they are
}
of men, has no history which could ex-
press itself through its buildings. Its
annals are. with the sole exception of
! the popular rising of the Sicilian Vespers.
a record @ fcaptures by successive foreign
! powers. Even in the uprising of Italy
| against the tyrantS Of sixty years ago,
! Messina has more striking record. What
| gives to Palermo its unfailing and en-
during charm is the exquisite beauty OF
! its situation coupled with the countless
| memories wherewith the neighberhood is
| rich On the hill of Herkte (now Monte
| San Pellegrino) Hamilcar fixed himself in
! his long effort to drive the Roman gar
I rison out of Palermo. on that mountain
/ top She Arabs defended themselves, in a
/ fort whose ruins still remain. against the
attacks of the Normans; and the
/ slope Of Monreale beneath, William the
/ Good watched his Byzantine artists la
! Dor at the decoration of his majestic
church In yonder grove stood the palace
where Frederick the Second planned his
laws and whence he issued those denun-
/ Citations of the Popes which led to the
J extinction Of his race. Outside that gate,
| at the tolling OF a bell from that gray
! tower. began the slaughter or the Yes
pers-
POLICE WERE NO GOOD.
I Pussi. Sent Chief to Rome and Made