New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-25
Il LOVER OF TUSCANY.
RambIes of an English Woman in
City and Country.

FLORENCE AND sOMB TUSCAN CITIES Paint
ed by Colonel r c. Con Described by ClaTissa
Goff 6vo, pp 262 The Macmillan Company
The author of this book is apparently one Of
those enthusiasts upon whom the charm of
Italy never pals. The natural beauty. the
architecture and the art of the region with
which she deals fill her with delight which
she does her best to communicate TO her readers.
She offers a good deal OF guidebook information
respecting the art treasures Of Tuscany. but 1t
must be confessed that she is more interesting
when. calling history and legend to her aid. she
weaves about an old church or palace thrill
ing atmosphere of drama, There is hardly
villa which she describes and which Colonel
Golf pictures in lively colors which has not its
story. There is the Villa Palrnieri, where Boo
cacio told his merry tales and within whose ma
sonry Botticeln altar piece hidden for
centuries. There is the Villa bel Canto. where
the magnificent Lorenzo entertained the Pazzi
conspirators, who had resolved TO murder him
after supper There Is the Villa Salviati. asso-
ciated with a crime whereby the wife Of a young
Duke Salviati rid herself of a too beautiful rival
One winters day Duchess Veronica, paying
visit to the fair Caterina, asked 4or a lock OF
hair from the golden head Before the scissors
had severed 1t the duchess cried, mot lock
only; must have your lovely headT'
This was concerted signal. It was followed by
the sudden entrance OF two three hired assassns,
passing as the duchess's servants who did indeed
tut for on t PGF to VIA saa It h
end OF the year The duchess had prepared pres;
Florentine custom took the shape Of basket con-
year, such as every woman bestowed upon her lord.
according to her means, on New Years Day.
examined the fine linen garments prepared for him;
ng them BY one ne out OF tns So o tb
beautifully gauffered ruffs, the embroidered shirts
dreaming Of the horrible thing hidden in ell the
carefully chosen finery.
The mans cry when he saw the pale head with
its golden hair-if there were ghosts Of sounds
that cry might well ring through the old villa
to-day. The assassins were punished; but moth
ing was done TO the proud duchess, unless per-
haps her conscience played the part Of scourge.
Mrs Golf shares with other foreign writers
hearty admiration for the Tuscan character.
The natural refinement of manner and. taste.
the trustworthiness, cleanliness and self-respect
of the poorer classes are truly attaching. They
make she asserts, many sacrifices in order to
present good appearance to the world, how
ever meagre may be their fare. or however
ragged their garments within the four walls Of
home" Schools she says, increasing and
improving. Some Of the odd customs and super
stitions of these Tuscans the author notes, can
not be accounted for at all-"such as why on g.
certain Sunday in Lent small Florentine boys
attempt to pin miniature ladders, cut out of
paper, on to women's backs; or, again. why the
Cascine should be searched for crickets to be
sold in small painted wooden cages on the Feast
of the Ascension" All judicious Tuscans hold
that the best of all portents is to perceive at
the same moment, looking from the window,
priest, a girl dressed in red and white horse.
Among the old customs of Florence is the hold
ing of Lenten fairs-fairs which in the eigh-
teenth century were much in favor in the fash
ionable world. The fifth Of these fairs causes
the greatest excitement among the people. 1T
is known as the Fair of Contracts, when mar
riages previously arranged are announced. and
happy couples meet and receive the congratula-
lions of relatives and friends The last fair,
called that of the Rejected is held at s. Ferdi-
ano and let us hope that it brings to disap-
pointed lovers the consolation they SEEK