Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-07

The masterpiece in the square was
Michael Angeles David, which stood here
until the early part of this century, when
| the Florentines feared that the wind and
weathering might do 1t harm, and, there
fore, had 1t placed in the National Mu-
I scum. Florence is worthy of a visit to
see this statue IL nothing else. Though
David is young and handsome, his every
| muscle qufvers with strength and his
handsome face is flushed with the joy
Of youth. He stands almost as a symbol
OF conquest, so alive with his own energy
obstacles and dangers have little meaning
for him.
1t is Wednesday and way after eleven,
so the strangers hasten on to visit the
house Of Dante. The street is exceed
ingly narrow, the steps are so steep that
the stranger only ascends them with con-
siderable difficulty. In the family sitting
room is a beautiful marble bust OF Dante
and Beatrice. The most treasured thing
In the room is the large armchair, In
which the Divine Comedy was written.
There is also the laurel wreath that en-
circled the poets brow when he was laid
to rest this death mask and the key to
the vault where he is buried. The walls
are lined with bookcases filed with
Dante's works, though none are original
manuscripts and rare editions. The walls
are decorated with letters of famous
men who have visited the most Illus
trious house In Florence. Adjoining is
the bed room In which Dante was born,
the only noticeable thing about this room
Ia hot iu
Across the street Is very small church
where Dante was married. The stranger
is just a little shocked at being re-
minded that Dante was ever married.
He likes to think of this great poet as
an lmpassionate youth wandering through
the streets of Florence until he gets a
glimpse of his lovely Beatrice, and then
hastened home to muse or write of her.
Another interesting building associated
with the name Of Dante Is the Sala di
Dante. The interesting building is the
oldest of the guilds. 1t was the wool
maker guild. There is a large hall up
stairs that at one time employed 10000
people. and is now used for lectures on
Dante.
rival Interest to Dante's house Is
that Of Michael Angelo. now the prop
erty OF the city and given by q descend
ant Of the brother 1t is large and spa
cious, and Is even attractive for modern
times. There are a number Of historic
objects seen here, including the small
study, a table, the sculptor's crutches
and a picture of Vlttoria Colonna. Though
only few small pieces of statuary are
seen, the rooms are beautifully decorated
w In fba
work of his favorite pupils. r
Tired though the traveller Is, he only
takes time for his luncheon, and then he
moves on; there is so much to see, so
much that interests him that he feels he
must not rest. For the moment he for
gets he Is In modern Florence. he is SO
STEPPED in the beauty Of the Italian city
he imagines himself In Florence the Re-
public under the sway Of one Of the
Medicts, time when every man was
so ambitious that he thought the duty
Of every one to be famous.
He sees the squares crowded with
sculptors, painters and writer's, who have
come to rest after day of hard work.
He hears them talk Of the beautiful
monuments of some of the great MASTER
pieces at which they have been hard at
work. His day-dream does not fade until
he reaches the Medicean Chapel, the
handsomest chapel In the world, a place
where all the Medicis are buried.
Though the chapel remains unfinished
1t is a thing of great beauty. In the
large atrium that forms the entrance
are the tombs of the Medlci. Here are
seen the monuments of Lorenzo, Duke
OF Urbino. the grandson OF Lorenzo the
Magnificent, and father OF Catherine de