Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-03


While the recent Inauguration of the
new Gampanile OF Venice and the
opening of the new stock exchange at
Genoa may both be regarded as SYM
bolie OF the renewal of Italy's strength,
the very form of the buildings them
selves illustrates in an equal degree
the distintive character of the two re-
publics which made so much history
in bygcne ages and which promise to
make history again. Both cities are
Justly proud of a glorious past. But
whereas the Rell Tower has risen
again where it stood and as it stood,
and whereas in the case of Venice old
material which could not be utilized
in the reerection was towed out to set
ard piously committed to the deep-so
profound was the lsense of tradition
and so active the influence of the past
the Eiova Borsa is far removed from
the site of its predecessor, and IN Its
massive modern Renaissance style is
ali outward and visible sign of the in
dustriaI and commercial spirit which
animated the Genoese in the past and
when continues to animate them to-
day.
Genuensis ergo mercatore. The
Gencese first made their mark in his
tory during the crusades, from which,
N addition to securing the ashes or
st. John the Baptist and the Holy
Grail. they usually returned with
sound skins and well-lined pockets.
And they We're able profttably TO IN
vest what they had gained. For four
centuries the Banco Oh san Giorsio
was famous throughout Europe. It's
loans to the republic were secured on
the customs dues and the interest
on them was paid with the greatest
regularity: in fact, its "luoghi, or
shares, were somewhat more keenly
sought after -than are consols at the
present day AS Mr.. lie Mesurief, one
of the few English men who nave
studied the history of the port, re-
marks: This makes Genoa, in point
Of national credit. full live hundred
years ahead of England, where the
market dealings in State funds only
began in 1852
BY the side OF the Banco di San
Giorgio. however, there arose IN the
sixteenth century the Loggia oil Ban
chi, one of the first representatives OF
the rnoderen stock exchange. rms
gray massive building, enclosed DN
double Doric columns, severe and SIM
Die in style and quite in keeping Wlth
the character of the old Genoese iner :
chants and of the mediaeVal Christian
city. was begun in 1870 according tn
the plans of Vermont and finished IN
1895 under the skilful direction OF ..
3. Doria. Ii is situated in the midst
of a labyrinth of narrow streets which
are SO characteristic of the old Cen
oese quarter, ana for three centuries
it formed the business centre OF the
port. In 1898 the Loggia di Banchl
was transferred by the Commune TO
the Chamber of Commerce; in 1880 IL
was restored, closed in wath glass
windows. and redecorated CaVour re-
organized its method Of conducting
business, and his statue occupies the
centre of the hall
But this little old world is disap-
nearing and the business centre OF
Genoa has been transferred to new
nuarzers on the Piazza Deferrari to
the east. 1t was during the financial
! crisis of 1906 1906 that the idea OF con :
structing a new Stock Exchange first
occurred During those years specu-
latiop was so rife in the chief port OF
1 Inc mediterranean lilstA II " 90 iNN'A..NT
that the accommodation provided IN
the Loggia di Banchi was totally IN
adeauate for modern requirements
| Tile architect of the new building, the
| foundation stone of which was laid
| in 1907, is Signor Dario Carbone OF
| Rome while the internal decoration
has been carried out by Signor A
! Coppede of Florence. il covers an
area OF 5000 square metres and mas
| been erected at cost of L2so,05o
| The task of replacing the Loggia Ct
!, Bancli, a perfect specimen of its kind
! on a scale equal TO the requirement.
| of modern Genoa was not an easy one
| and it would be idle 70 pretend thai
| the new building, from an aesthetic
/ point Of view, is not open to criticism
Beautiful as many of its details are
! notably the wide porticoes and tht
| graceful sixteenth century windows
| the edifiee as a whole is very far from
| pleasing, and gives the impression OF
! being top-heavy. In fact, it would ap'
pear that the architect was gradually
| cverpowered by the ideas TO which ne
sought to give expression.
AS the concrete embodiment. how
| ever of the modern Geneese spirit
tire building would be hard to beat.
/ solid mass OF gray granite, shaped
| like an ancient galley. it faces males
j tically the Piazza Deferrari, symbolic
ing to the full not only the wealth o.
| the seaport but also the stubborn ano
! positive character of its inhabitants
1t is no worse, however, in fact 1t il
! considerably better in style, than thu
majority of buildings which cover thu
| slopes of Albaro. For modern Genoa Il
suffering from a disease which An
tonic Pellegrini has termed "buboni'
architecture, and in the new quarters
of the city the most varied and incon-
errous styles jostle one another fol
a place much like huge trunks in {
tropical forest. In the interior of the
building has been portrayed the his
| tory of Genoa. but that history as seer
through the spectacles of the rici
bourgeois.
| Whatever else it may lack. however
/ the new stock Exchange undoubtedly
| possesses the three main essentials