I knew that Mr. Ringling, had started building their Italian Renaissance home in 1924. It was designed to resemble the Venetian, Gothic, palaces that the Ringlings had so admired throughout their Italian travels. Their own home was called Ca d' Zan (Venetian for "House of John".) Suddenly there was a silence among us, as John & Mabel strolled into the center of the crowded room. He looked even taller, than his six foot frame, standing beside his much shorter beloved wife, Mabel. I heard that John Ringling was one of the richest men in the world. Which led me to wonder why my family had been included in this group of wealthy, influential guests. But my husband, explained that John was always on the lookout for new partners to become part of his next financial business adventure.
As we followed the crowd toward the dining room, we noticed the beautiful beveled - pink, green, and yellow stained glass windows throughout many rooms in the mansion.
Entering the opulent, formal dining room, I was overcome by all the green! The gigantic walnut table was set with fine green china, and crystal, stem ware with sterling silver place settings. The dining chairs were high back chairs, with velvet green padding on the backs and seats. The bottom part of the chairs even included padded green foot rests for the shorter guests at the table to dine in comfort, because the green marble floors could become cold in inclement weather. The walls were painted in a mint green color with beautiful flowing, matching draperies to enhance each window treatment. Mabel smiled, as she admitted to us, that it was her "favorite color." My eyes, were delighted to partake in such beauty throughout a room.
One huge window sided wall, held the magnificent, breathtaking view of the Gulf of Mexico, but I was taken back, and gasped. when I saw this huge painting on the opposite wall! This "work of art" exhibited many different animals, but they had been killed and gutted. The entrails and blood from the poor animals, had overtaken the picture ‘s theme! I could not make myself stop looking at this picture! I heard that people who John did not like, often someone who would not agree to invest their money, with him in the proposed business scheme, had to sit facing that repulsive picture as the dined at the table. The favored dinner guests, were set on the side of the table facing a wonderful, breath taking view of the Gulf, as they enjoyed their fine dinner meals.
Following our delicious evening dinner meal, we were treated to a tour of John's private collection of some great works of art. Some people said, he had the largest collection of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, in the world and had many other Baroque paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries.
After taking the tour some of the men guests headed to the bar and pool room, where they indulged themselves with liquor and fine cigars.
John told fascinating stories to the men, about liquor being carried underground, from ships moored to the docks during a time called, Prohibition, in this country, and this contraband was illegal to have, by any person. Meanwhile the women guests, sat around the great room engaging in conversations with Mabel, about the famous travels, they had made through out Europe, to find new acts for the "Greatest Show on Earth" namely the Ringling Brothers and Barnum, and Bailey Circus. ( John had founded this famous circus, along with his five brothers, in 1884.)
Later that evening, the guest were entertained, by an orchestra playing wonderful music out on the Gulf terrace, under the stars, with drinking and dancing, continuing well into the hours of the late night!
The silent hours, I have spent in the still attic devouring the diary's treasure through reading about my ancestors and heritage, was suddenly interrupted by my mother's voice calling out my name. I slowly get up and walk downstairs with many questions still on my mind. Later after our dinner, my mother and I sit down to talk about my name Mabel, and to continue reading other entries from the diary. Funny, I am no longer ashamed about this old fashioned name. I now know much more about Mabel & John Ringling's legacy to the entire world!!!
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