A PORTAL OF PARADISE. 281 



another prosperous Lord Mayor, and the world would 

 never have had that most remarkable of all modern 

 books, the Divina Comedia!" 



Not less illustrous are the names of those whom I 

 have mentioned as entombed in this old church. Not 

 far off is the tower of Galileo, whence the great 

 astronomer made his observations which led the pious 

 sons of " Mother Church " to cry out also concerning 

 him, " Crucify him." Here, too, was born and buried 

 that illustrous man who gave his name to "America." 



Among the monuments of this lovely city is the 

 Cathedral, or Duomo, which was begun about the 

 year 1300. The grand cupola of the Duomo, so much 

 admired by Michael Angelo, was taken by him as his 

 model for that of St. Peter's at Rome. Very near is 

 the Baptistery, with its beautiful bronze doors, with 

 carvings and figures to represent great sciiptural 

 events. The principal one is so perfect and so beauti- 

 ful as a work of art that Angelo declared it worthy to 

 be a portal of Paradise. 



Fiom the Palazzo Vecchio and Ufizzi Gallery we 

 crossed the River Arno by a covered walk, above the 

 bridge, to the Pitti Pa'ace. There arc literally thou- 

 sands of paintings, some done by nn n whose names 

 are well known, and many by those of lesser talent. 

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