"The city of Genoa," read the deep voice, "is Italy's chief seaport. Its streets are lined with palaces. It seems that everything in Genoa takes place in a palace. Even schools are sometimes found in palaces!
"The city is surrounded by forts and strong walls.
"The Palazzo San Giorgio is the oldest bank in Europe. Here there is a curious collection of statues.
"They are the statues of men who have given money for public good. If you see a seated statue, you will know that this man gave a large gift.
"If a statue is standing, it means that the gift was not so large. No doubt, they wish to make the generous ones more comfortable.
"Genoa might be called 'America's Cradle.' Do you know why?"
Anna did not know. But Anna was an Italian girl. You, who are Americans, surely know that Genoa was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
| COLUMBUS' HOUSE: GENOA |
"Christopher Columbus used to play about the water front when he was a little boy," read Anna's father. "When he grew up, he sailed off one day and discovered a new country—America!
"Genoa possesses one of the largest theatres and one of the finest cemeteries in the world!"