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every confidence can be placed in the Florentine taste. It is very gratifying to know that a most distinguished Englishman, Mr Temple Leader, who many years since occupied a conspicuous position in the House of Commons, and who possesses a thorough knowledge of classic art and the keenest appreciation of the beautiful, is a prominent member of the Improvement as he was of the Facciata Committee. The principle, already mentioned, laid down by these gentlemen, that where there is a work of genius or any edifice remarkable and picturesque it should be preserved, is admirable; but then this very question of preservation requires grave consideration and excellent judgment. Many a picture has been injured by the process of cleaning, and in giving solidity to a fabric its character often suffers; so all buildings associated with the past should at

all times be touched with a loving hand. An architect who is a mere builder too frequently is a failure. A restorer must not only be experienced in his craft, but full of poetic sentiment-if not an artist, at least rich in artistic feeling. Let it be remembered that Time, the destroyer, frequently invests objects with an additional beauty and charm: incongruities which architects denounce may be prized by the painter and the poet; regular features are not always those which touch the heart. May the restorers of Florence proceed with care. As yet they have done little to arouse adverse criticism, and much to win universal admiration. Let them continue their labour in the same spirit of love and reverence, and Florence will ever remain worthy of the name of The Beautiful.

LAMINGTON.

any funds for the work of ruin ferred materialism to the beautiare available. It is truly sad to ful. But much joy was felt by think that in a very brief space of the few who find happiness in time this interesting district will things of beauty and graceful assobe replaced by a large square, with ciations; for these had been sadprobably a statue of Garibaldi or dened at the thought of the Arno Cavour in the centre. The Ghetto, flowing through streets of uninteror Jews' quarter, containing a great esting modern buildings, and the number of architectural gems, and many slopes of Fiesole covered picturesque points of view such as with suburban villas. The change artists love to paint and Ruskin was indeed welcome to such who to describe, has been closed 'long love Florence, as Florence only can since, preparatory to its destruc- be loved by those who have long tion. Here the very progress of dwelt within view and beneath the decay may be watched; for now, shadow of the Duomo. uncared for, the storm can beat into the deserted dwellings, and partially anticipate the hand of the destroyer. It is even doubtful whether a great portion of the Via Calsaioli will be spared-a street where Donatello and Michelozzi laboured for the love of art and the rivalry in beautiful workmanship. If all these outward and visible signs of the illustrious past are to be removed, it will be a great price to pay even for a freer and grander view of the Duomo and the noble sister edifices.

As Florence was not destined to be the permanent capital of the new Italy, it is greatly to be regretted that for a short time it was so considered; for the Florentine imagination expanded, and with it all the plans for the creation of a city worthy of such a grand future. The owners of land indulged in the most extravagant expectations. Florence was to be known, not as the City of the Lily, but the City of the World. During the brief period of its pride, large fortunes were realised; half the old city walls were levelled, to afford room for the new capital. So when the royal migration to Rome was an accomplished fact, there was much grief among the speculators and those who pre

The traveller who has time to make himself acquainted with Florence, and now moves on to Rome, will rejoice that the nominis umbra has spared the beautiful city, when he sees the degradation to which Rome is subjected. Happy those who visited Rome before it was Haussmannised, and miles of edifices of hideous monotony replaced the ruins of the Empire, and peopled the once classic solitudes !

No longer can the student "with beating heart roam o'er the haunted ground," picturing the glorious past. With the temporal power the home of our youth has been swept away: no more shall the

"Orphans of the earth now turn to thee,
Lone mother of dead empires."
Where the widowed mother sat
is a vast metropolis, which in all
probability will extend in time to
the very foot of the Alban hills.
So, on the whole, all classes except
the speculators may be satisfied
that Florence has been left alone;
and we must only hope that the
restorers will move with caution.
Let them take warning from the
severe judgment which has been
passed on the restoration of the
palace of the Doges and the Bas-
ilica of San Marco at Venice. The
facciata of the Duomo is unde-
niably so admirable a work that

every confidence can be placed in the Florentine taste. It is very gratifying to know that a most distinguished Englishman, Mr Temple Leader, who many years since occupied a conspicuous position in the House of Commons, and who possesses a thorough knowledge of classic art and the keenest appreciation of the beautiful, is a prominent member of the Improvement as he was of the Facciata Committee. The principle, already mentioned, laid down by these gentlemen, that where there is a work of genius or any edifice remarkable and picturesque it should be preserved, is admirable; but then this very question of preservation requires grave consideration and excellent judgment. · Many a picture has been injured by the process of cleaning, and in giving solidity to a fabric its character often suffers; so all buildings associated with the past should at

all times be touched with a loving hand. An architect who is a mere builder too frequently is a failure. A restorer must not only be experienced in his craft, but full of poetic sentiment—if not an artist, at least rich in artistic feeling. Let it be remembered that Time, the destroyer, frequently invests objects with an additional beauty and charm: incongruities which architects denounce may be prized by the painter and the poet; regular features are not always those which touch the heart. May the restorers of Florence proceed with care. As yet they have done little to arouse adverse criticism, and much to win universal admiration. Let them continue their labour in the same spirit of love and reverence, and Florence will ever remain worthy of the name of The Beautiful.

LAMINGTON.

ful.

any funds for the work of ruin ferred materialism to the beautiare available. It is truly sad to But much joy was felt by think that in a very brief space of the few who find happiness in time this interesting district will things of beauty and graceful assobe replaced by a large square, with ciations; for these had been sadprobably a statue of Garibaldi or dened at the thought of the Arno Cavour in the centre. The Ghetto, flowing through streets of uninteror Jews' quarter, containing a great esting modern buildings, and the number of architectural gems, and many slopes of Fiesole covered picturesque points of view such as with suburban villas. The change artists love to paint and Ruskin was indeed welcome to such who to describe, has been closed long love Florence, as Florence only can since, preparatory to its destruc- be loved by those who have long tion. Here the very progress of dwelt within view and beneath the decay may be watched; for now, shadow of the Duomo. uncared for, the storm can beat into the deserted dwellings, and partially anticipate the hand of the destroyer. It is even doubtful whether a great portion of the Via Calsaioli will be spared-a street where Donatello and Michelozzi laboured for the love of art and the rivalry in beautiful work manship. If all these outward and visible signs of the illustrious past are to be removed, it will be a great price to pay even for a freer and grander view of the Duomo and the noble sister edifices.

As Florence was not destined to be the permanent capital of the new Italy, it is greatly to be regretted that for a short time it was so considered; for the Florentine imagination expanded, and with it all the plans for the creation of a city worthy of such a grand future. The owners of land indulged in the most extravagant expectations. Florence was to be known, not as the City of the Lily, but the City of the World. During the brief period of its pride, large fortunes were realised; half the old city walls were levelled, to afford room for the new capital. So when the royal migration to Rome was an accomplished fact, there was much grief among the speculators and those who pre

The traveller who has time to make himself acquainted with Florence, and now moves on to Rome, will rejoice that the nominis umbra has spared the beautiful city, when he sees the degradation to which Rome is subjected. Happy those who visited Rome before it was Haussmannised, and miles of edifices of hideous monotony replaced the ruins of the Empire, and peopled the once classic solitudes !

No longer can the student "with beating heart roam o'er the haunted ground," picturing the glorious past. With the temporal power the home of our youth has been swept away: no more shall the

"Orphans of the earth now turn to thee, Lone mother of dead empires."

Where the widowed mother sat is a vast metropolis, which in all probability will extend in time to the very foot of the Alban hills. So, on the whole, all classes except the speculators may be satisfied that Florence has been left alone; and we must only hope that the restorers will move with caution. Let them take warning from the severe judgment which has been passed on the restoration of the palace of the Doges and the Basilica of San Marco at Venice. The facciata of the Duomo is undeniably so admirable a work that

every confidence can be placed in the Florentine taste. It is very gratifying to know that a most distinguished Englishman, Mr Temple Leader, who many years since occupied a conspicuous position in the House of Commons, and who possesses a thorough knowledge of classic art and the keenest appreciation of the beautiful, is a prominent member of the Improvement as he was of the Facciata Committee. The principle, already mentioned, laid down by these gentlemen, that where there is a work of genius or any edifice remarkable and picturesque it should be preserved, is admirable; but then this very question of preservation requires grave consideration and excellent judgment. · Many a picture has been injured by the process of cleaning, and in giving solidity to a fabric its character often suffers; so all buildings associated with the past should at

all times be touched with a loving hand. An architect who is a mere builder too frequently is a failure. A restorer must not only be experienced in his craft, but full of poetic sentiment-if not an artist, at least rich in artistic feeling. Let it be remembered that Time, the destroyer, frequently invests objects with an additional beauty and charm: incongruities which architects denounce may be prized by the painter and the poet; regular features are not always those which touch the heart. May the restorers of Florence proceed with care. As yet they have done little to arouse adverse criticism, and much to win universal admiration. Let them continue their labour in the same spirit of love and reverence, and Florence will ever remain worthy of the name of The Beautiful.

LAMINGTON.

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