The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-14

the "Orpheus" of Chuck, of which she
was the never to- be- forgotten and in
superable songstress.
In this temple of art we also had
many other memorable reunions. Once
1t was Roy ChatterSi that Brahmin
theosophst. who during q whole sea-
son in Rome fascinated the Roman
public by a course OF lectures at the
University of Rome, in which he spoke
or Indian philosophy and nothing
could have been more characteristic
than that figure of other days who
spoke OF ancient myths and of forgot
ten religions in the studio of Ezekiel
which was constructed by a pagan EN-
peror.
Another time l remember Prof Null
ing, the German philologist, who re-
cited the discourse Mark Anthony
In Shakespeare's tragedy. Sometimes
the reunions in the studio had bur
lesque character, and | remember the
baptism OF a cat in winch a group of
the best littcrati and artists were
dressed in the strangest manner.
f'eoea, for instance, was dressed like
n Dominican: Hon. Emilio FacIli WAS
dressed like one OF the Popcs guards,
led by Wanda. who played the violin.
and by Gandoln. who accompanied
him on the guitar.
But the great festival. the festival
of the studio. was always on Christ
friends and the children of those whom
he knew, especially among the poor
There was gigantic Christmas tree,
the traditional Santa Claus, and this
good mythical old fellow dispensed
gifts and sweetmcats. his arms and
bag hlled with presents that he came
to offer accompanied by allcgorcal
verses. mostly the work of Adolfo de
Bosis.
This corner of art and all courtesy
is now destroyed. Am incxorable law
has removed all OF the inhabitants
from the Baths and has also eXiled
the good and gentle artist. who had
consecrated that place to the things
that are most beautiful in life so much
so that on the architravc of the door
way. among all the wistarias and the
roses, one might have written this
motto:
"Arti atque Amicitiae."
Could not the government have
made an exception in this instance?
L think they should have done So also
because during the thirty years Ezc-
KEEL was the most devoted custodian
OF these rough ruins. which he had
transformed into a garden of hospi-
tally But the law has often-not
always-similar tyrannies which rem
der them bitter. Yesterday, passing
this corner of the Baths. saw the
doors torn open, the claIRo ring roses
faded, the windows without glass and
without architravcs, the whole trans
formed into an aperture without form,
an uninha bited cavern. l saw this and
1 remembered. In this anxious life,
which is passe, il seemed to mo that 1t
would not be entirely useless 20 fix
In rapid record this studio OF most
worthy artist. who was also n man
full of goodness and or courtesy, GER
tain, as ! am, that the many friends
dispersed in the five parts of the world
viii think with melancholy homesick-
ness on the afternoons of the time
passed in the most Roman of all ruins,
Of days and of meetings that will never
return. DIEGO ANGELI
The writer neglected to say that the
italian government or tho municipality
of Rome had taken Ezekiers famous
studio to make an addition to the Ma
tionnl Museum, which occupied n part
of the Baths OF Diocletian. Many
Richmond people who have visited
Rome Will remember EZekiers wonder
fully unique studio. where they were
always welcome and where the por-
traits of so many were modelled and
executed In marble.
In this studio Ezekiel made most of
his monuments, statues. busts and re-
iievos which have found places in pub
lie parks. museums, palaces. art GAL
leries and private collections all over
tho world.
Since E:ekiers recent return to
Itoine the Italian government and tho