The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-14

tGSyEsdn Hebrew pcddlcr who WIS szyc-
s agely assaulted by sailor be-
cause OF his race. When askec
In court why he had selected such puny
chap as victim. the muscular tar grin
ningiy replied: Didn't the rasca, kill the
Lord7'
But that was nineteen hundred years
ago my friend" .ntcrposed the presiding
Judge.
Yes. but only heard o, 1t last night"
put in the sailor, as fnal and doubt!css
sa/sfnctory plea.
Such a speclous and. I admit. far
fetched, excuse is mine fo- attempting to
describe an audience at tho Vatican, a
feat that requires the bruah o. ye!ss-
quez and the pen of Gauiier, but as
had never been In the Vatican before,
my mental condition OF child-like limo
cency was not fer removed from that OF
the simple sailor, except that went TO
stare and remained TO pray--sor at least
1--WE seconds--enough, however, TO carry
any miserable sinner across the gulf OF
despair into It's purgntortal heaven.
Perhaps Rome at q superficial glance
still affects the American az 1t did Tame
nearly u half century ago-as provincial
city. spruwled TO unnecessary lengths
over Its seven hills. and despite the smart
ness OF Its new quarters. far from sug-
costing a weltstadt. as does, for example,
busting, shining Berlin. or the mundane
suavity OF Paris. But not for her. in her
superb and impeial indifference, are tho
seductive spells Of operate Venice or the
romantic glamor OF Florence. She can
proudly say: LA VILE c'est mott" She is
not city but the city of cities. and 1t
needs but twenty-four hours submerg-
ence in her atmosphere to make one a
slave at her eternal chariot wheels.
The New York cockney, devoted to
his cult OF the modern-hotels. baths.
cafes and luxurious theatres - soon
wearies of Rome. He prefers Paris or
Naples. Hasn't some one said. "see
Naples and de-of its smells?" AS an
inexperienced traveller. 1 know of no
city on the globe where you formulate
an expression of like or dislike so quick-
ly. You are Rome.s foe or friend within
five minutes after you leave its dingy
railway station. And it is hardly neces-
sary to add that its newer quarters. pre-
tentious, cold, hard and snowy. are
quite negligible. One does not go to
Rome to seek the glazed comforts OF
Harlem or Brooklyn.
New L'Annunzio Tragedy.
AS a theatre goer could not resist the
Establishments OF the Costanz especially
as new tragedy by D'Annunzio was an,
nounced. La Ftaccola soto II Moggio'
Is It's name, which may be para phrased
In English by The Light Under the.
Bushel,'' a singularly inappropriate
motto, by the way, for its modest author!
And 1t Is worth mention that this poet.
who breaks hearts for the mere pastime
OF serving them up in his multi-colored
prose-ah, art for art. how many are
thy victims.-is as much the subject OF
gossip as the police force is in New York.
They don't chatter over such significant
matters as the removal of u police cap.
tain from the Tenderloin to the Bronx
district; these intellectually benightcd
Romans have only poets, musicians and
painters to discuss. And 1t is a loving
gossip. AS soon as a new work of q
dramatist is announced the talk begins in.
street and bpudoir. palace and boursei.
church and cafe.
You might suppose an election primary
was at hand The very coachmen vol
untcer criticism, and IL you timidly in
fern them that in darkest New T>rk
Duse's name is known the look. The very
picture of incredulity smiling on a car
riage seat. Thus it was that / heard
ne D'Annunzio's vain efforts to divsrcn
hls wife, the Duchess sia.lese, In order
ia marry the Charming Signorina Rosita,
daughter OF the Mnrquise Rudini. The
interest displayed N WIS complicated
enundal shook Ill Italy as II by moral
earthquake. In Venice they still speak
OF Duse and D'Annunzio; not SO in Rome,
D'Annunzio Is now in Milan, working
with Baron Franchetti over their new
opera. to he Produced next March. called
1.-THE Daughter of Jorio!"
1t is his successful drama of THAI liome
set to music.
Therefore, T., listened to his new and
bloody tragedy at the Costanz with more
than passing attention, Though inter-
preted by that robust and gifted young
actor. Fumagalli i did not care for the
play, for reasons not to be given Just
now. But Oscar Wildes "salome" was
the afterpiece, and .rhis pleasing enter
Z tainment for babes in arms held me in
my uncomfoTta table, estalJ ppPttSs thor tflEpl