The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-13

chic and that Incompatible group of ar
cbitectural gems, the cathedral, the bap-
| tistry and the campanile or cathedral
tower can be seen to advantage because
&C the open spaces around them.
| The Florentines preserve their sacred
places, both because they regard them
as ideals and because they are a source
of great pecuniary- profit. The largest
time of revenue for the city comes from
tourists and 2a0 American citizens alone
residing in Florence paid taxes last
year upon $sS2.o00 worth of real es-
tate, and the English colony is even
more numerous and wealthy.
| There has been considerable COM
plant because some of the hist orica
| structures have been demolished, but
such vandalism has been tritling COM
pared with what has occurred in Rome.
The Florentines have not torn away
historical structures to open boule-
wards and build hotels and apartment
houses, as has been done in the Eter-
nal City. for although the population
has grown considerably within the las,
half century. the Industrial and com,
mercial interests have adjusted them
selves without great damage to the
architectural monuments.
The best examples of architecture
and nearly all the important historical
places have been carefully spared,
while houses of special interest such
as those of Dante. Tasso, Boccaosio,
Calico, Toscaneill and the great art
lists have all been carefully marked
and soome of them, like that in which
Michael Angelo lived, have been con-
verified into museums and are open to
the public.
The finest examples of residential
architecture are the Palazzo Riccardi
and the Palazzo Strozzi, which latter
is one of the few of the ancient dwell
lings built still occupied by the fam
lilies of those who built them. 1t was
erected in 1889 by Venetian merchant
whose descendants have been allied by
marriage to many of the most noble
and powerful families of Europe
One of them came back to Florence
after political exile of several years.
which, he spent chiefly in botanizing,
and we must revere his memory be-
cause he discovered that artichokes are
worth eating.
The present head of the family is
Prince Piero Strozzi.. a gentleman in
waiting to the Queen of Italy, and .
member of the Italian. senate. His wife.
who was rich Polish countess.
brought into the family an income
of 100000 lire ($60,0O0) which was
very much needed. The princess is said
to be a lovely character and Is much
admired by the Americans in Flor
ence.
The last of the male line of the DE
Medici, chidless old man of en-e
Ifeebled mind, died a few years ago
upon an estate about six miles from
Florence. where he had lived In seclu-
sion.
| The head OF the family at present, a
descendant by the female line. is the
Marquis Peruzzi- Medici, who married
daughter OF william Waldo Story, the
American artist and author.
| 1t is only since the death of the old
recluse that the marquis has added De
Medici to his name. for his paternal
ancestors. the Peruzzis. were e, fam
|
to be ashamed of. Baldassare Peruzz
contemporary and friend OF Raphael
| d4s1-1536) was one Of the greatest OF
architects and built some of the finest
churches and palaces in Italy.
| Some of the later generations were
among the richest bankers in tho
world. Several of the family have
been prominently in politics and en-
joyed high honors. In modern times
the Peruzzis have played an important
part in the unifcation OF Italy. and
the father of the marquis WAS cham
lberlain at the palace.
About 0 years ago the marquis bought
one of the old estates of the De Medi-
els, which carries the title with 1t, and
assumed 1t for the first time. although
there has always been prejudice In
the family against titles ara his an
lcestors declined them repeatedly, both
from kings and popes.
Signora Peruzzl- Medici resides in
Florence and has three oh ildren. The
oldest son Is a lieutenant In the army.
the second Is at school, and the
daughter married broker in Boston
named EldridU