Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1883 — An Enterprising Architect. [ARTICLE]

An Enterprising Architect.

Adjoining one end ’of the royal pal■'gPeT of Naples, 'which “ir fttcr futawr home of the Crown Prince, is the theater of San Carlo, which has an interseting story. When Charles HI. was King of Naples he issued orders for the most magnificent theater of Europe to be built in the shortest time possible. Angelo Carasale, a Neapolitan architect, offered to complete it in three months, and by great effort and energy actually did so. On the opening night the King sent for the architect to come to the royal balcony, and there publicly commented his work, adding that only one thing was lacking, and that was a private door and staircase leading from the palace into the theater for the use of the royal family. The architect bowed low, and retired that the play might begin. When the play was finished, the architect again appeared before the King, saying, “Your Majesty’s wish is accomplished,” and preceded the astonished monarch to a private entrance in one end of the theater. In the threejiours that the acting had engaged the King’s attention, the untiring architect had collected his workmen, and by almost superhuman effort had completed his task. He had torn down partitions and laid huge logs of wood for a stairway; but elegant velvet carpets and beautiful curtains concealed the rough floors and defaced walls, while a skillful arrangement of handsome mirrors and chandeliers produced a magical effect, and made the whole seem the work of fairy hands. Afterward the entrance was properly finished, and last summer I walked from the palace through this private door, and stood in the royal balcony where the King had received the architect nearly 120 years before.— Olive May Eager,-in St. Nicholas. “I havk a ridiculous weigh about me, 0 says the fat woman of the show. A mutual admiration society—A ypung lady and her mirror.