ietness of nature is gradually
withdrawn from us; thousands who once in their necessarily prolonged
travel were subjected to an influence, from the silent sky and
slumbering fields, more effectual than known or confessed, now bear
with them even there the ceaseless fever of their life; and along the
iron veins that traverse the frame of our country, beat and flow the
fiery pulses of its exertion, hotter and faster every hour. All
vitality is concentrated through those throbbing arteries into the
central cities; the country is passed over like a green sea by narrow
bridges, and we are thrown back in continually closer crowds upon the
city gates. The only influence which can in any wise _there_ take the
place of that of the woods and fields, is the power of ancient
Architecture. Do not part with it for the sake of the formal square, or
of the fenced and planted walk, nor of the goodly street nor opened
quay. The pride of a city is not in these. Leave them to the crowd; but
remember that there will surely be some within the circuit of the
disquieted walls who would ask for some other spots than these wherein
to walk; for some other forms to meet their sight familiarly: like
him[168] who sat so often where the sun struck from the west to watch the
lines of the dome of Florence drawn on the deep sky, or like those, his
Hosts, who could bear daily to behold, from their palace chambers, the
places where their fathers lay at rest, at the meeting of the dark
streets of Verona.

[162] May-day processions in honour of the Virgin.

[163] _Genesis_ xi, 4.

[164] See pp. 225 ff.

[165] In heartfelt trust Johannes Mooter and Maria Rubi had this
house erected. May dear God shield us from all perils and
misfortune; and let His blessing rest upon it during the journey
through this wretched life up to heavenly Paradise where the pious
dwell. There will God reward them with the Crown of Peace to all
eternity.

[166] Baptistery of Pisa, circular, of marble, with dome two
hundred feet high, embellished with numerous columns, is a notable
work of the twelfth century. The pulpit is a masterpiece of Nicola
Pisano. Casa d'Oro at Venice is noted for its elegance. It was
built in the fourteenth century. The Cathedral of Lisieux dates
chiefly from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and contains
many works of art. The Palais de Justice is of the fifteenth
century. It was built for the Parliament of the P