The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-05-06

year previous proving so delightful, we
decided to again visit this land of rare
attractions, whose fame is "as old as the
written words of classic song, ''and cover
the coast, islands and southern portion,
following a most attractive itinerary.
The fascinating story of history and ira
dition told US along the way has added
much to the ioy and benefit of the trip.
The bright and comprehensive way in
which we were told of the life and works
of Raphael by Miss Mabel Mathews pre-
pared US to better appreciate his paint
ings when the time came; and to Miss
Hopkins was allotted the pleasant task of
giving US something of the almost unriv
allied art of Michael Angelo, whose touch
of genius converted mere Saracenlc hall
into the most superb model of a Christian
church.
The little city of Siena was our start
ing point, and to Mrs. Clement we are in
debted for the fine view of its handsome
buildings and famous tower OF such pro-
digious height; it's fine marble cathedral,
university and manufactures. We re-
member, too, that many of the churches
are rich in works of art, Slena having
produced school of artists.
We tarried for time in the walled
city of Perugia and visited few OF the
many fine churches, all more Or less
famous for their excellent paintings, and
then on to Orvieto, the city of Etruscan
origin, where another of the most richly
decorated cathedrals in Italy was found.
The city itself occupies a strong position
on steep hill and is surrounded by walls.
The side trip to Ravenna was taken
under guidance of Miss Avis Morrison
and her personal knowledge of the best
the city afforded gave our party rare
treat in the manner of beholding this
renowned city.
''Adorned in ancient times with arms and arts
And rich inhabitants with generous hearts. -
The tomb of Dante was one of the
great attractions here.
Of Spoleto we remember little but its
steep, narrow and dirty streets and its
one cathedral built in the time of the
Lombard dukes; although there are some
interesting ruins.
Urbino was visited principally as the
birthplace of Raphael. The fine streets,
we'll built houses, handsome town hal
and MANY fine churches of Rimini were ar
agreeable change Here we saw tle
marble bridge, with fine arches built II
the time Of Augustus, and visited the
spot marked by pillar where Julius
Caesar harangued the IL legion after the
crossing of the Rubicon.
Our longest stay was In Rome, ano
thanks to the topic committee, who select
ed excellent guides, it is certain that the
| time was spent to the best advantage
and the objects most worthy to be seer
received our attention. That we might
have in our minds complete idea OF the
old city and the new, covered with foot
prints of history, we first listened to fine
| ly written annals, both B. c. and to the
present day, by Mrs. Brown and Mrs
Craig.
1t is impossible to allude to the many
objects of interest for us IN this city; but
to the Misses Field, Miss Cutter, Miss
Maude Mathews and Mrs. Sibley are we
indebted for the soul-stirring views Of
the grand buildings and stately palaces.
Of the forum, thick set with ruined, brok.
en- columns, triumphal arches, temples
and palaces and not far off the gray walls
of the Colosseum crowded with old anc
solemn memories which has furnished the
marble for many a palace of modern
Rome, but still stands the most impress.
sive monument in the world, solemn anc
grand. Imagination carried us back tc
the time when hundred thousand human
beings, the rank, the power and beauty
of Rome could be seated within the vast
walls. Of the Vatican with its vast col
lection of ancient statuary, then the
Pantheon, the pagan temple built by
Agrippa and presented by him to Angus
| tus which stands now very much as it
stood when the consuls, emperors and
scholars of ancient Rome beheld it, though
the thousand statues of brass which stood
on the great circumference of cOrnice,
and the brazen gates, were sacrificed to
decorate St. Peters and to cast into can
non for the castle St. Angelo.
With Mrs. Dunton we visited the sew
eral baths which cover acres of ground
and are on the grandest scale, adorned
with the most splendid work of art; the
mausoleum of Augustus, and passing the
great round tomb of Caecilla Martella,
still perfectly preserved though no less
than nineteen centuries old, then COM
ing to the beautiful resting place OF
Keats & Shelley; to the catacombs, the
one vast city Of the dead where we did
not linger but passed on to the beautiful
parks where fountains spring from mar
Bile basins in the midst of clumps Of
acacias, pines, roses and laurels, though
it is not recorded that any of our number
dropped a coin in the celebrated Fontans
di Travi at the midnight hour.
1t was in Rome that our president
again joined us, and with her we visitee
St. Peters, the largest cathedral il
Christendom, which as work Of art il
admitted to be failure, yet much pleas
ure is had in viewing its plates Of rich
est marble and the copies Of the mos
| celebrated naintinQa executed in mosaic