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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (June 22, 1895)
THE COURIER. IO k ON THE OTHER SIDE. (Written for Tun CouniEtt by C. Y. Smith.) No. 11. As I stood in the Piazza San Marco with my eyes resting first on the gorgo ous facade of the Basilica of St. Marks, and then on the beautiful walls of the Doges Palace, J waB in doubt which to enter first. Hut my attention was drawn from the Bublime to the ridiculous. A few steps away was a group of small Italian boys, squatted on the pavement. They had circled around an old felt hat, and in Jt were eight little hop toads. Their purpose seemed to be to divide the eight toads among five boys in equal proortion. This problem in mathematics created quite an interest ing discussion in Italian. After the death of one of the boys or three of the toads, I have lorgotten which, I began to walk around the Piazza raing ling with the pigeons and the nobility. The square is among the finest in all Europe and certain! the most unique. It is encased in part by a promenade in the shadow or stone pillars which support the beautiful structures above. It is irregular in shape, being GOO feet in length and 200 feet wide on one side and .'tUO feet wide on the other. The interior is paved with blocks of grey trachyte and white Istrian stone. It reminds me of the interior court of some palatial residence, with shops and cafes in the arcades to give it the appearance of spicy activity. From sunset to mid night the entire Piazza is filled with an animated concourse of pleasure seekers, listening to the music from the military band. To the left as we face the church we see the Torre dell" Orologio (clock tower) surmounted by two bronze figures, called Moors, which strike the hours of day and night. Two bronze men, they are, life size, each with a sledge hammer in hand, to knock upon the bell a constant reminder of the flight of time. The top of the Campanille tower, 322 feet in height, gives a magnificent views of the whole ci7, the Adriatic and the Alps beyond. Looking south the way opens to the grand canal through the Piazetta; a small square. At its ter mination is the tall column of St Theo dore, and directly opposite its mate, crested by the winged lion, brought from the Grecian archipelago in 115G. Between these two columns the pub lic executions took place. A place most convenient, 1 take it, to bear away the body in a black gondola and consign it to the waters of the Adriatic It was but tho day before when the doomed man crossed tho Bridge of Sighs in tho rear of the Ducal Palace and entered a dungeon cell to await his farewell of tomorrow. The Doges or Ducal Palace was orig inally founded in 800; the present struct ure dates from 1350. In 1577 a disas tcrous fire destroyed its principal salons and many works of Bellini, Tintoretto, Titian and ethers. Entrance to the palace is through the Porta della Carta opening into the grand courtyard. Here wo stand at the foot of the Giant's stair case, guarded to the right and left by the colossal statues of Mars aud Nep tune, by Sansovino. Upon the landing of this celebrated staircase occurred the coronation of the Doge. The spectacle must have been an imposing one indeed; so gorgeous and magnificent are the surroundings. 'lis a source of inspiration to walk around these palace halls. Silent now, but still trembling with the echos of history. The interiors areadorncd with wonderful paintings by old artists. Tho Hall of the Great Council is perhaps the finest interior in all Europe. A marvel in beauty and magnificence. At one end is the "Paradise," by Tintoretto, 84 by 31 feet the largest oil painting ever executed. The four walls are em bellished with paintings illustrating various court scenes of the Doges. Art and skill are rare these days which can Eroduce an equal to the grandeur com ined with elegance and beauty found in the interior of the Ducal palace in Venice. Nothing or its kind can be finer than the inner facade of the east wing of the palace, a perfect example of the Renaissance. Antonio Rizzi and Pietro Lombarao may well rest in eter nal peace for having executed such a work of art. One of the most horrible places with out the sun's rays is the dungeon cell just back of the palace. We enter a corridor through a massive door and descend by a narrow, dark stairway down, down, down to the thrice cursed Pozzi, dark, damp and dismal. It is unpleasant down here. There is a feel ing we may get locked in. A single night here alone might mean death. It is best not to remain, for we hae much to see yet in Venice. Up, up up, the narrow steps wo pass through the mas sive door, cross :he bridge, the frame of which ie filled with tho moans and sighs of the doomed, and pass out into tho sunlight of the palace court and rest upon tho bronze curb of the well. Tho change from the awful dungeon dark ness to tho bright sunlight is most agreeable and refreshing. Th cathedral of St. Marks was found ed in he 9th century by Doge Giustin tano Partecipazio The name of tho founder is certainly sufficient to warrant it being an edifice of some beauty. Tho church is in the form of a Greek cross, each arm surmounted by a dome. Tho roof is topped with many spir s and gives to the pile a very oriontal appear ance. The facade facing the Piazza presents a most gorgeous arrayof golden arches supported by beautiful marble col umns brought from tho East. At mid day, when the sunlight glitters upon it, or "at midnight when tho lamps give it light, its splender may be better imag ined than described. It is like a pic ture in fairyland. On tho gallery above Ihe central door stand four bronze horses, beautiful works of art, perhaps by the hand of Praxitiles. In 1797 Napoleon took them to Paris where they adorned the Arc du Carrousel. They were restored to Venice in 1815. Tho interior of tho church is of ex ceeding richness, the pavement being of tessellated marble, the supporting columns of beautiful marble and the vaulting of mosaic upon a ground of gold. Tho mosaics represent scenes from tho old testament and do ap year to us fearfully and wonderfully made. Some of theso decorations of the 13th and 16th century are extremely hideous and even ghastly. I call to mind a head of Christ with intense staring eyes and gaping mouth. Under an arch is the "Creation of the World," and again, The Deluge mosaics fashion ed from small bits of various colored stone, firmly set in the vaulting. On close inspection they appear a mere jangle of color, but distance here lends enchantment. Although some of the mosaics of this wonderful church are monstrous in themselves, yet the- appear not out of place, and as a whole, give tho interior a most gorgeous air. The marble pavement is undulating in many places, and one is obliged to step with some degree of care or he may stub his toe. Difficulty arises when one becomes seriously interested in the mosaics and attempts to take another stepor two to get a different view of the subject. The high altar stands under a canopy of verd antique supported by four columns of Greek marble. Behind this lies tho body of St. Mark. Near by are two transparent alabaster spiral columns said to have come from Solomon's temple. In the treasury is a small crystal vase containing tho Saviour's blood, also a fragment of the pillar to which the Saviour was bound, piece of the skull of St. John and a chair said to have been used by St. Mark. Theso are interesting because you see the very same things in almost every cathedral in Europe. Just back of the high altar is the Pala d oro, or altai piece wrought in enamel and jewels upon plates of gold and silver I was fortunate in witnessing tho ser vice of high mass held for one who on his death left a large sum of money for the occasion every year. Tho church was full of people and there must have been some two or three hundred priests taking part in the service The music was very beautiful, for none can make it like the Italians. The following instance that occurred in Venice may be interesting. One day I hired a gandolier for an hour or two to go at random over the city, and as we were gliding along a narrow canal, the gondolier asked me: "Are you Amer ican?" I replied I was. His face in a smile of pleasure, he drew from his coat pocket a piece of paper and handed it to me. I read as follows as I now remem ber it: "To whom it may concern. During my stay in Venice I have em ployed Antonio Orlandini, Gondoliere, Traghetto Danieli No 19, and I have alwajB found him to bo very obliging and trustworthy. It gives mo pleasure to recommend him to nny American whose good fortune it may be to have him serve them.'" (Signed) Mark Twain. You may well imagine what a pleasant surprise this was to me and how much it put my mind at ease, for one uncon ciously looks upon these water crafts men of Venice with some trepidation. When I had finished my ride Antonio handed me his card, and told me he was coming to Chicago to the World's Fair. Sure enough he was there, and when I presented to him his business card of Venice, he was indeed surprised to 6ee me. He remembered me. We cau't leave Venice without visiting the Venitian glass and lace stores. Their work is simply beautiful. Tho Academy of Fine Arts contains a store of remarkable paintings by old masters. Besides others by Bellini, Veronese and Tintoretto, I must not fail to mention "The Assumption of tho Virgin" by Titian, one of the twelve great masterpieces. "Overhead midway in tho air, rises the Virgin in tho midst of a halo glow ing like tho vapor of a furnace. Her attitude is athletic, her expression grave, and tho low tone of her features comes out in full relief against tho Ham inc brilliancy of tho aureolo. Venitian art comers in this work, and perhaps reaches its climax." (Taine.) When tho time comes for us to leave behind this curious city this pearl of the Bea wo 6tep into tho noiseless gon dola with reluctance ami paddlo down tho grand canal, past the palaces of nobles by tho home of Lord Byron, under tho grand Kialto, through the narrow canal so picturesque. Our fare well to Venice is in silence. We fain would stay a while longer. IH ASTERS SALE. First Publication May 25. Docket Q, Number 9. In the Circuit court of the United States, for the District of Nebraska. Edwin Darlington, complainant, vs. Joseph U Main, et al, defendants in Chancery. Foreclosure of Mortgage. Public notice is hereby given that in pursuance and by virtue of a decree entered in tho above cause on the 5th day of July 1894, 1. E. S. Dundy, Jr. Mas ter in Chancery of the circuit court of the United States for the district of Ne braska, will on the 26th day of June 1895 at the hour of one o'clock in the after noon of said day at the east door of the Lancaster county court housf building in the city of Lincoln, Lancaster coun ty, state and district of Nebraska, sell at auction for cash the following des cribed property, to wit: The southwest quarter of section thirty, town 12, range 5, eastof thesixth p. m., Lancaster county, Nebraska. E. S. DUNDY, Jr., Master in Chancery. 0. C. FlANSRURG, Solicitor for Complainant. June22 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WiLL. First Publication June 15. In the County Court of Lancaster county, Nebraska. The State of Nebraska to II. B. Lowry and Mrs. Harry J. Miller and to any others interested in said matter. You are hereby notified that an in strument purporting to bo the last will and testament of Austio Lowry deceased, is on file in said court, and also a peti tion praying for the probate of said in strument, and for the appointment of H. B. Lowry as Executor. That on tho Gth day of July, 1895, at 9 o'clock A. M., said petition and tho proof of tho execution of said instrument will be heard, and that if you do not then ap pear and contest, said Court may Pro bate and record tho same, and grant administration of the estate to II. B. Lowry. This notice shall be published for three weeks successively in The Courier prior to said hearing. Witness my hand and official seal this 14th day of June 1895. I. W. Lansing, July G. County Judge. SHERIFF SALE. First publication June 1. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of an order of sale issued by the clerk of district court of the third judicial district of Nebraska within and for Lancaster county Nebraska in an action wherein Mary M. Reading ie plaintiff, and James L. Silvernail et al are defendants, I will at 2 o'clock P. M. on the 2nd day of July A. D. 1895 at the east door of the court house, in the city of Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraska, offer for sale at public auction the following described real estate to-wit. Lot number cine (9), in block number three (3) Summerdale Addition to the City of Lincoln, in Lancaster county Nebraska accordieg to the recorded plot thereof. Given under my hand this 31st day of May A. D. 1895. Fred A. Miller. Juno 29. Sheriff. BLUE RIVER ICE only be had from the wagons of P. H. Cooper. Telephones 5S3 and 534. can SHERIFF SALE. First publication June8 Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of an execution issued by tho clerk of the district court of the third judicial district of Nebraeka within and for Lancaster county, in an action wherein Albert W. Jansen is plaintiff and Lou Wessel. Jr.. is defendant. 1 will at o o'clock P. M., on the 9th day of July A. D. 1895. at the east door of the court house in tho city of Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraskaoffer for sale at public auction tho following described real estate to-wit: Lot "A," of Spencers subdivision of lot seven (7) of block three (3) and lot Beven of block four (4) :n Spencer's addition to Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraska. Given under my hand this 31st day of May A. O. 1895. Fred A. Miller Sheriff. July G. SHERIFF SALE (First Publigation June 1) Notice is he-eby given that by virtue of an order of sale issued by the clerk of the district court of the third judicial district of Nebraska, within and for Lancaster county in an action wherein Alexander Lederer and Moses Strauss partners doing bussiness under the firm name and stylo of Lederer and Strauss, are plaintiffs, and Charles M. Hovey et al are defendants. I will at two o'clock P. M .on the 2nd day of July, A. D. 1895, at the East door of the court house in the city of Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraska, offer for sale at public auction the following described real estate to wit: Lot number two (2) in block number four (4) in Cottage Grove addition to the city of Lincoln, Lancaster county Nebraska. Given under my hand this 31st day of May A. D. 1895. Fred A. Miller Juno 29. Sheriff. NOTICE OF CHATTEL MORTGAGE SALE. (First Publication June 8.) Notice is hereby given that by virtue of two chattel mortgages, dated on tho 31st day of May 1S95, and duly tiled in the office of the County Clerk of Lan caster county Nebraska on the first day of June 1895, and executed by Mrs. J. H. Blair to A. E. Hargreaves, and Stev ens and Cochran for the purpose of sec uring to the said A. E. Hargreaves tho sum of S2S50.00 upon her promissory note dated May 31st 1895, and due on demand with ten per cent interest, and upon which there is now due the said sum of S2350 with interest from date thereof at ten per cent per annum. And for the purpose of securing to tho said Stevens and Cochran subject to the above described mortaage to A. E. Hargreaves, the sum of 500.00 as wit nessed by her promissory note dated May 31st, 1895, and due on demand, and on which there is now due tho sum of $500.00 with interest thereon at ten per cent per annum from the date thereof. And default having been made in pay ment of the sums so agreed to be paid as aforesaid, and the terms and condi tions of said mortgages having been broken, and default having been made therein, and no suit or other proceed ing at law, having been had for the re covery of the sums so due or any part thereof: Now, therefore we will sell the prop erty therein described to wit: Ail the certain stock of milliner goods, furnishing goods, and every arti cle in and about said stock of goods, sit uated at 11? south 11th street in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska. Also all fix tures, furniture, tools, implements, ap pliances and property of every descript ion used in and about sain stock, also also all notes, bills and book acccounts due or to become due, at Public Auction at the store room heretofore occupied by said Mrs. J. H. RIair, No. 117 south 11th street, Lincoln, Lancaster county. Nebraska, on Saturday, the 29th day of June 1895, at the hour of 2 o'clock in tho afternoon. If necessary said sale will be continued from day to day until completed. A. E. H arg reaves, Stevens & Cochran, Lincoln, June 8th, 1895. Mortgagees. W. Q. Bell, Att'ny, 444 McMurtry Blk. June 22. ' I
