Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/49

Rh Florence; it is the square where stand some of its greatest monuments, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi, the beautiful fountain of Neptune, the statue of Cosmo I. on horseback, as well as many works of art from the times of the republic. There it is also, that the popular life still exhibits itself in its most manifold variety. The post-office, and many of the public buildings are there, wealthy bankers have there their places of business, and there fachinos and lazaroni enjoy the sunshine, lying on, or standing by the marble steps and the statues.

The Palazzo Vecchio stands as a magnificent symbol of the bold aspirings of the ancient republic. Its tower seems to me especially expressive. It is a fortress-tower which supports a triumphal entrance, upon which is erected a pyramid. On the flag-staff which terminates this, leaps a lion rampant; and on the top is a lily. But ah! this last symbol, the summit of all, is an unfaithful image of the life of the republic, at least of the Florentine. Its fortress-gate, the gate of honor, its pyramidal ascent never attained to the success of peace. It was hurled to pieces long before in the struggles which were called forth by the ambitious aspiring of the republic itself; was hurled down by party spirit, which is the life of the republic, and which becomes also its death, when it is not guided by some noble, cementing idea, greater than the discord inherent in the state itself. The history of the Palazzo Vecchio, and its symbolical tower, prove that there was no such lofty idea in the Florentine republic.

The Cathedral of Florence, and the beautiful Campanile, dating also from this period of great, but