The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-05
dictated by Senator Tillman.).
Geneva, July 10, 1908.

SNst 40 ASVos
1t Is practically a month now since
we left Naples. and the time has been
most pleasantly, and hope profitab bly,
passed, both mentally and physically.
The journey has been leisurely. which
brought US to Geneva. but the sight
seeing has been quite arduous. Rome
was especially and necessarily the most
exactfng In it's points Of interest, and
the work necessary to see them. We
remained there twelve days and then,
In despair, decided that 1t would take
q years hard work to gain any adc-
Quate idea Of things. and then moved
on to Florence. Moreover. there was
. constant desire for books, which
were at home to refresh our memo
ries.. which was provoking. The one
thing which is incomprehensible, even
now. is the smallness OF the Roman
Forum; and why 90 many temple and
massive buildings were crowded into
such small space. and that In a hol-
low between hills is a question which
every thoughtful traveller will ask him.
self. I am sure the entire area known
as the Forum. including the sights for
the palace Of temples bacilicas etc,
IL not ten acres. This includes the
space from the Tarpein Rock on
which the Capitol stood to the Arch
Of Titus. But cannot undertake any
description and only mention this
surprising fact as the most striking
thing in our visit to the former mis-
tress Of the world.
We noticed q marked difference in
the Roman people from the Neapoli-
tans. They are larger in stature, and
the beggars which are 30 pestiferous
at Naples are very rarely seen at
Rome. We reached Florence on the
evening Of July 8. and spent the
Fourth In this beautiful city. It has
no ruins and the bridge across the
Arno Is perhaps the only structure
which has come down from the Ro-
man period. There is sculpture ev-
erywhere, and We absolutely became
surfeited on great paintings. Near
the edge OF the principal square and
In front OF the old palace, which then,
as now. was the seat Of the city gov
erHment. there is q circular bronze
tablet let into the pavement over
which passengers and vehicles pass.
with the picture Of savonarola and
the legend marking that as the spot
on which he was executed. and his
body afterwards burned along with
the two monks, Fra Salvestro and
Fra DomenicO, who were his principal
lieutenants in the effort to reforA, the
abuses Of Catholicism. He was equally
brave and fearless with Luther, whom
he antedated by half centOy or
more. I will confess to greater
feeling OF solemnity In looking at this
tablet. which may be likened to a
large bronze medal, than I have on
entering any church since have been
In Europe. Again I would mention
the marked improvement in the type
Of the people as compared with the
Southern Italians. The Florentines
are fully as large in stature as the
Americans, and the impression made
on me by the people In the streets Is
that they are OF highly Intelligent,
rcourteous and admirable citizenship.
1t Is straining on the muscles OF the
neck to gaze at pictures and there
are so many In the two great GAL
leries here-the Pitt and the Ufizi-
that we were glad to move on to Ven
ice, which city we reached on July Z.
The route carried us across the Ap-
pennines. through a large number Of
tunnels and through picturesque
scenery. after which we descended