The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 1865,

of 70 men, met with a band of 130 Garibaldians,
in the environs of Monte Libretti, on the morning
of the 6th, and dispersed them, killing some few,
taking three prisoners, and setting free their vice-
brigadier, and two others of their corps whom the
Garibaldians had overpowered at their post in the
town.

The command of the military district of Tivoli
was at this time confided to Lieutenant-Colonel
de Charette, of the Zouaves •, and a company of
gendarmi, the local squadriglieri, and some com-
panies of the Roman Legion were added to his
forces. He at once planned vigorous measures. A
detachment was sent on the 7th to Montemaggiore
to cut off communication between the invaded
places. A quantity of ammunition was taken here,
and a banner bearing the portrait of Garibaldi.
The following day the lieutenant-colonel himself
set out at the head of a column of gendarmi and
Zouaves, and marched first on Monte Libretti and
then on Nerola, where the inhabitants greeted them
as their liberators, with cries of " Viva Pio IX."
The Garibaldian camp could be easily made out
from this place, on the slope of Monte Carpignano.
On observing the approach of our troops a con-
siderable number made good their escape to Fara,
the remainder took up a position on the heights
about 1,500 yards distant; nor could all the incita-
tions of the Pontifical troops induce them to ven-
ture an engagement.
Meantime another band, led by one Blenio, who
had lately held a commission of captain in the
Italian army, was harassing the territory of
Subiaco. On the Bth they entered Cervara, a
defenceless village, which they soon after aban-
doned ; but on the 11th, while the Zouaves sta-
tioned at Subiaco were absent reconnoitreing the
neighbourhood, they made an attack on it, and the
few gendarmi and squadriglieri had no choice but
to retire to the fortress. Mgr. Manetti, Adminis-
trator-Apostolic of the abbey, and the Governor
were arrested and placed under a strong guard ; but
the surrender of the fortress could be obtained by
neither exhortations nor threats. In less than two
hours the Zouaves returned from Cervara. Blenio
was killed by a shot from the revolver of Lieu-
tenant Desclee, who received four dagger wounds
in the melee which ensued. Georgio, second in
command, was taken prisoner along with a number
of others, and on him, as well as on Blenio, papers
of importance were found.
The principal band under Menotti continued to
infest the confines between Sabina and the
Comarca, and received additions day by day. In
order to ascertain their actual position and num-
bers, Lieutenant-Colonel de Charette sent out a
column of 90 Zouaves on the 13th, under Lieu-
tenant Guillemin, which arrived at Monte Lib-
retti about five in the evening. They found it occu-
pied by a strong body of Garibaldians (about
1,200, as it was afterwards learnt) ; nevertheless,
the Zouaves, with their usual entrain, rushed to
the assault, overcoming every obstacle, and driving
the Garibaldians back into the town. Lieutenant
Guillemin was killed before the gate, and Sub-
lieutenant de Quelen fell desperately wounded.
The bugler, Giuseppe Mimmi (Roman), who had
two fingers of the hand with which he held his
instrument shot away by a musket-ball, took it
in his left hand, and continued to sound the charge.
The number of killed and wounded on the other
side amounted to forty. Night supervening it was
impossible to continue the assault, and Sergeant-
Major Baal, on whom the command had devolved,
took up a position in one of the houses of the
suburb, where he remained, in order to see after
the wounded, till next day, when be marched his
men back to Monte Rotondo. On the 14th, when
Captain Deveaux and Lieutenant Poccioni, of the
gendarmi, at the head of fifty Zouaves and squad-
riglieri, came over in search of Sub-lieutenant de
Quelen, they found the Garibaldians had completely
evacuated it, and they were enabled to render him
the last offices and to carry him back with them to
Palombara, avoiding, by theirway, with much saga-
city, an ambush laid for them by above 300 of the
enemy.
By the middle of October the invasion assumed
more formidable proportions. On the 13th Falva-
terra, in the province of Frosinone, was invaded
by bands which had been gathering along the
Neapolitan frontier. Their entry was signalized
by the usual exploits—tearing down the Pontifical
arms, insults offered to the Government employes
and to the clergy, forced requisitions of money
and provisions, &c.
On the 15th this place was abandoned, and a
more numerous troop attempted to enter Valle-
corsa, but were valiantly resisted for several hours
by the small body of gendarmi stationed there
under Captain Lucidi ; another detachment of gen-
darmi and squadriglieri, under Lieutenant Loreti,
coming up from Castro, on their sending thither
for aid, were forced to retire, and were finally
routed at Oliveti di Morleta by a column composed
of a company of Cacciatori and a section of the
Roman Legion, under Captain Garofalo, leaving
many dead and wounded and considerable quan-
tities of arms and munitions in the hands of our
troops, of whom two were killed and one squad-
rigliere wounded. From the prisoners it was learnt
that the head of the bands which had invaded Frosi-
none from the side of Naples was Nieotera, deputy
of the Florence Parliament.
Acquapendente was occupied on the 11th by
a band which disappeared on the arrival of our
troops, but at Torre Alfine Acerbi had gathered
a body 800 strong. On the night of the 15-16th
S. Lorenzo was attacked, and the little guard of
gendarmi stationed there driven by stress of far
superior numbers back upon Bolsena. On the fol-
lowing dly
Roman the
station and town of Orte, where the chief,
Ghirelli, issued a proclamation in which occurs the
hzegiinovna,d,,etors, assuming the name of
took
possession of the rail-
following paragraph.
" Citizens ! The temporal power has ceased to
exist. Rome greets the dawn of her regeneration.
We come not to impose on you preconceived de-
signs, but to make you the arbiters of your own
fate." (That arbitration has manifestly decided
in favour of continuing under the Pontifical Go-
vernment.)
The forced levy on the religious communities of
the place and the flight of the 800 " regenerators "
at the approach of a small body of Pontifical
troops a few hours later I have already detailed at
I the time. _

At the same time Garibaldian bands had been
seen at Ischia and Farnese. A body of gendarmi,
troops of the line and Zouaves, was sent to their
encounter, and on the 19th an action took place at
Farnese near the Capuchin monastery, in which
the Garibaldians lost seven killed, several wounded,

and three prisoners. On our side were two wounded,
one of whom, Sub-lieutenant de Fournel, a re-
markably brave young officer, received fourteen
bayonette-cuts. He died shortly after at Valen-
tano.

At Borghetto, near Civita Castellana, there was
an encounter on the 21st, between a body of gen-
darmi under Lieutenant Morettini and troops of
the line under Lieutenants Testa and Gamtini,
commissioned to protect the labourers who were
set to take up a portion of the railway line. The
Garibaldians left one dead and four wounded, and
finally made good their escape by Ponte Felice,
whence they had been encouraged to the combat
by the cries of the Italian troops on guard !
On the 23rd, news was received that Acerbi was
advancing on Viterbo ; on the night of the 24-sth,
a patrol of Dragoons under Lieutenant Fabiani,
was sent to reconnoitre the road to Celeno. At
not more than a mile and a half's distance they
were charged by the advancing party, one dragoon
falling dead, another wounded, and the lieutenant
sustaining a slight wound in his hand. The Dra-
goons returned with the news, closely followed by
the Garibaldians, who succeeded in setting fire to
byon ecooflotnheel A
gaztezasnoefsit,hbeotowewvne.r, Twhase
sod good, thatefence made
the Garibaldians, though 800 in number, were
obliged to withdraw, leaving a superior officer
killed and forty prisoners, quantities of arms,
munitions, and horses, and their entire ambu-
lance. _ _

Other attempts on the various towns of the pro-
vince of Frosinone were, at the same time, being
resisted by a column of Gendarmi, Squadriglieri,
and Dragoons, under Major Lauri, until the danger
with which Rome and the Comarca were threatened
rendered it necessary to call them off on the 25th,
in order to concentrate the forces.
After the engagement at Monte Libretti, above
narrated, the Garibaldians had dispersed them-
selves over the surrounding country, continually
receiving additions to their numbers by way of
Terni. It is said they travelled free on the rail-
way with tickets issued specially for their use. The
station of Corese was invaded, railway communica-
tion beyond Monte Rotondo interrupted. It
thus became necessary once more to take the
offensive. This was undertaken by Lieut.-Col. de
Charette, who advanced to the attack on the 18th,
at the head of a column composed of Gendarmi,
Zouaves, Carbineers, and some men of the Roman
Legion. _ _ _

Leaving Monte Libretti at 6.30, they reached
Nerola at 10.15. The firing was commenced and
sustained with great ardour. They had with them
one piece of artillery, which told with great effect
on the citadel, which was to a considerable height
above the town, and in which most of the Gari-
baldians had taken refuge. Before twelve a white
flag was run up here, and Nerola was occupied
militarily with Pontifical troops, and advanced posts
established all round it. “Viva Pio IX." was the
cry of the men throughout the action ; 130 Gari-
baldians were taken prisoners, including their com-
mander—one Conte di Aquila.
The Garibaldiams at this time occupied several

surrounding places, and were about 3,500 in num- I
ber. On the 24th they invaded the station of
Monte Rotondo, and took prisoners the piquet
of the guard. Having at the same time broken
the telegraph wires, communication was cub off
between the capital and Monte Rotondo, where
was a garrison composed of two companies of the
Roman Legion, and one of Carbineers, a section of
Artillery, platoon of Dragoons, and a few Gen-
darmi, in all 370 men, commanded by Captain
Costes. The attack began at six the next morning
(25th), led by Garibaldi in person, who had under
his command upwards of 5,000 men.
You have already had particulars of the extra-
ordinary defence of this place for a day and
a-half, and its final surrender when the ammu-
nition was exhausted, the doors of the citadel
in flames, and works already commenced for under-
mining it, as well as Garibaldi's harangue to the
prisoners as he sat on horseback in the cathe.
dral- —the loss of a brave officer, Lieut. de
Quatrebarbe, and a subaltern officer named
Massei, in hot fight, and of a soldier of the Roman
Legion barbarously cut down in cold blood after
the surrender, against about 400 of the enemy
killed and wounded, as well as of the final removal
of the garrison to Varignano amid continual in-
sults, because they one and all stedfastly refused
to desert to the Italian side.
During all the dangers -and privations of this
trying time indeed not one desertion had taken
place from any corps. The troops had everywhere
shown a prowess worthy of an army of veterans,
but their number was small considering the scat-
tered nature of the points they had to defend.
Moreover a good deal of sickness had resulted from
the long fatigues and hardships, and, above. all,
there was every reason to believe that the regular
troops of Victor Emmanuel which had been ac-
cumulated, with cavalry and artillery, in the neigh-
bourhood of Orbetello and Sora, would soon be
poured down upon them.
The numbers of Garibaldians had increased ;
Garibaldi and his sons were at their head, and
their plan of attack was plain. Acerbi was to
make diversions on the side of Viterbo, Nicotera
on that of Frosinone, but the great body was to be
united under Garibaldi in the Comarca, with the
intention of marching on Rome.
Nevertheless, the Roman troops had so often
dispersed them when far surpassing them in num-
bers, that they would have felt little uneasiness on
that score, but for the fact that their numbers
were so long kept up and so continually reinforced,
and that the attitude assumed by the regular troops
on the borders left no reason to doubt it was in-
tended very shortly to overstep it.
Then came the promise of a speedy interven-
tion of French troops, which once more restored
the parity of the contending forces and assured
success to the Roman side. But there remained

the probability that an immediate attack might be
made on Rome before the French could arrive.
Against this eventuality it was necessary to pre-
pare.
For some days it had been observed that num-
bers of foreigners of suspicious aspect were intro-
ducing themselves into the capital, some' of these
having been, for one reason or another, arrested.
On all were found papers, from which it could be
gathered that it was intended to attempt a simul-
taneous attack within and without the walls The
explosion of bombs and discovery of depots of arms
were further indications that such a plot was ripen-
ing. . .

The General then goes on to give in outline
the various means of defence provided, and
the engineering works carried on under direc-
tion of Colonel Lana, of the Pontifical Engi-
neers, which were afterwards approved by
General Proudhon, of the French Engineers.
The report then adverts to the events of the
night of the 22nd October, of which, and the
abstention of the people from all participation
in them, you have already been informed :
That the movement was really organized and
promoted from without was proved with greater
certainty next day, when information was received
that various red-shirts had been seen prowling
round the monti Parioli. General Zappi imme-
diately sent out a patrol of forty-two carbineers,
and at Villa Glori, near Acqua Acetosa, they found
sixty Garibaldians; there followed a hand-to-hand
encounter, in which several of the band were
killed, among whom were Enrico Cairoli, and one
Mantovani, of Pavia. Seven more were wounded,
among whom a brother of Cairoli, captain of
artillery in the regular army of Victor Emmanuel.
Captain Mayer, who headed the carbinieri, was
seriously wounded.
On the following day (24th), a column composed
of gendarmi, cacciatori, and Zouaves, prosecuted
the seizure of various stray members of the band,
who, at their examination, deposed that they had
come under the orders of Enrico Cairoli down the
Tiber in boats on the 22nd., and disembarked on
the left bank near Acqua Acetosa, with the in-
tention of awaiting the steamboat which attends
to tow boats going up the stream, seizing it, and
by this means effecting an entrance into the capi-
tal. But on that day, contrary to its wont, the
steamer did not ply, so that they were obliged to
remain where they were till discovered and beaten
by our troops. Upon Cairoli were found plans
and memoranda concerning the walls of Rome, and
the easiest points for entry,
It was under these circumstances that General
Zappi proclaimed, on the 25th, the state of siege
as the best measure for protecting the persons and
property of the loyal citizens.
Just at this moment considerable anxiety was
entertained concerning the fate of the garrison of
Monte Rotondo, and on the night of the 25-6th.,
a company of the Roman legion was sent in that
direction, but finding the Via Salaria surrounded
by strong detachments of Garibaldians, they made
across country by a clever movement, and took
the Via Nomentana, from which, across the woods,
they made their way up to the walls of the town
at the very moment in which the garrison had capi-
tulated. There was a skirmish between Captain
Derosta's men and the advanced posts, but find-
ing himself with his eighty-five men opposed to
a whole battalion, he succeeded in effecting are
treat in good order with inconsiderable loss.

Meantime, within the city, there were occa-
sional calls for serious attention. On the night
of the 26th a bomb was thrown in the street by an
individual who was himself mortally wounded
thereby. He carried on his shoulder a bag, in which
was another bomb. He was dressed like a seafaring
man, and his body could not be identified in Rome.

The next day, in full daylight, a Zonave was
treacherously murdered in the Trastevere, fol-
lowed by' the affair in Ajani's house, already de-
tailed in your columns :
Greater apprehensions were, however, caused by
the constantly increasing numbers of Garibaldians
outside the city, and there was reason, every
moment, to expect the entry of the troops of Victor
Emmanuel on the Pontifical territory. In conse-
quence of the concern of the Holy Father for the
troops scattered in small garrisons, it was decided,
on the 27th October, to concentrate all the troops
on Rome and Civita Vecchia. In effecting this
movement the railway line was taken up as soon
as the troops had passed on the Orbetello and
Isoletta lines. Videttes were posted on the heights
to watch the movements of the enemy, and the
Salario bridge over the Anio was blown up. Out-
posts were established at the most important points
outside the walls, and day and night strong re-
connoitreing parties scoured the environs.
The troops were not molested in their progress
back from the provincial towns •, but, on the 28th
Nicotera entered Frosinone, and on the 29th Vel-
letri ; Acerbi stationed himself at Viterbo, while
smaller parties, under inferior chiefs, were sent
into Palestrina, Genazzano, Subiaco, Tivoli, &c.,
exercising the usual amount of violence and sac-
rilege ; and the regular Italian troops invaded
Acquapendente, Civita Castellana, and Frosinone.
On the same night the French fleet hove in sight
off Civita Vecchia,tand on the 30th the French
troops arrived in Rome.
Thus relieved, the Papal troops were once mon
in a position to garrison the provinces. Accord-
ingly, General de Courten set out the same day
for Albano and Velletri, at the head of a column
of gendarmi, cacciatori, legionaries, a section of
artillery, and a platoon of dragoons.
Nicotera abandoned the latter place at his ap-
proach, taking the direction of Valmontone, and
it would appear that the other bands of Orsini
and Autinori were also endeavouring to make a
movement of concentration on Tivoli, in order to
unite their forces with the principal body under
Garibaldi between Monte Rotondo and Mentana,
which it was his boast that he would make his
base of operations for advancing to the conquest
of Rome.
It was time to put an end to his boasting. Ac-
cordingly, the general pro-minister determined to
put himself at the head of a column of troops to
march to his encounter. _ .

The report then winds up with the account
of the battle of Mentana, of which I sent you
a notice when the report concerning it appeared
by itself weeks ago, and with a eulogy on the
military chaplains and other priests, religious
and secular, who assisted them in their minis-
trations, as well as the Sisters of Charity ; the
Palatine guard, mariners and custom-house
officers, and the urban guard of volunteer
Romans and foreign residents who relieved the
labours of the military on many occasions ;
the loyalty and order of the people, and, above
all, .dwelling with admiration viz the firmness

and serenity manifested by the Holy Father
strengthening the hearts of all.
I hear by a private letter from the neigh-
bourhood of Geneva that the Swiss Catholics
are bestirring themselves in the matter of sub-
scriptions for the Papal army ; in one little
village where there had been no public sub-
scription, the poor people only living from
hand to mouth themselves, clubbed together
and made up a widow's mite of forty francs.
The Conservative Journal of Fribourg had col-
lected 18,000 francs up to the end of January
for the wounded. They continue also to keep
up their supply of men for the Carbinieri ester".
About fifty recruits of various countries arrived
again last week for the Zouaves. The num-
ber of British subjects is now so far increased
that it has been found desirable to appoint
another English chaplain, as the work was be-
ginning to be more than Mgr. Stonor had time
for. This is Father O'Connor, who seems also
very much liked by the men. Mgr. Stonor is,
I am happy to say, better than at the date' of
my last, but he has been advised to take a fort-
night's absence for rest and change of air. His
library and reading rooms for English Zouaves
has been opened this week, and appears duly
appreciated by those for whom it is intended.
The rooms have been fully attended every
evening, suggesting that they may shortly
not prove capacious enough. It is very credit-
able to the character of the men, as so far the
entertainment provided is purely mental.
This leads me from warlike to more peaceful
subjects. The Carnival is going its usual train,
at least the customary palchi with their gay
hangings are erected all down the Corso ; the
gun which announces the Senator's procession,
which is the opening act, will sound only a
short time before post hour, but there is never
much excitement on the first day. Mean-
time the services called del Carnevale santi-
ficato are going on for the benefit of the pious.
The Colleges, too, are providing their entertain-
ments, designed to attract young people away
from the greater vanities of the Corso.
The usual requiem on Cardinal Wiseman's
anniversary was celebrated at the English Col-
lege this morning. The Mass and Absolution
were sung by the Rector. Mgr. Talbot, the
Pro-Protector of the College, was present; also
Mgr. Kirby, Rector of the Irish College, and
Mgr. Cataldi. There was an average attendance
of the English Catholic winterers in Rome.
Among them Lady Herbert of Lea, also many
of the English Zouaves.
Notwithstanding the extraordinary preoccu-
pations and expenses of the past twelvemonth,
means have been found for works of less abnor-
mal character.

The Bishop of Algiers acknowledges in a
Roman paper this week the receipt of 5,000
lire, sent by the Pope to the subscription in
favour of the Algerians suffering by famine,
" who although not of the hOusehold of faith"
writes the Bishop, "have a claim on the limited
means at his disposal as the adopted children
of France."

A new establishment for the reception of
penitents, situated in the Via dei- Riarii, was
opened by a triduo in honour of St. Mary
Magdalen, the three last days of this week.
It is constructed to accommodate fifty penitents
and six nuns of the order of the Good Shep-
herd. The building is very plain, and well
adapted to its purpose. The dormitory is spa-
cious and contains fifty-one beds—one a little
more soigne than the rest being for a nun to
sleep in the ward. The beds are of iron, and
are not luxurious certainly, but sufficiently
furnished and raised, so as to afford free circu-
lation of air. The other nuns have their rooms
upstairs, where there is also a convenient iron-
ing-room and loggia for drying the linen. On
the first floor is an excellent and well-appointed
schoolroom and a tribune, where the inmates
attend the chapel services. On the basement
are kitchens, refectories, parlours, a small in-
firmary, with an altar, where Mass may be
heard by the sick, and the chapel, which is a
very elegant little structure, adorned by an
altar-piece, representing St. Mary Magdalen
under, perhaps, rather too mournful an aspect,
by Gagliardi. A corridor, running through
the centre of the building, leads to about half
an acre of playground, where are provided
means of healthy recreation, of which the in-
mates seem not slow to avail themselves. With
the exception of one or two slowly recovering
from dangerous disorders, they are singularly
well-looking, buxom young women, and ex-
press themselves well satisfied with their posi-
tion. They take the domestic duties of the
establishment in turns. A marble tablet in a
conspicuous situation records the gratitude
due to the late saintly Bishop of Albano,
Cardinal Patrizzi, and other benefactors of the
house, and a corresponding tablet awaits in
blank to be inscribed with the day when the
Holy Father will bless the little Casa di ricovero
with a visit, anxiously looked forward to by
all. " Dear, kind, holy father !" said one of
the young penitents, " how we long for him
to come. I dare say you foreigners have often
seen him, and I, who only come from Foligno,
have never set eyes on him yet."
A portrait of a benefactress (Princess Cor-
sini) bears under it a not inapt lesson, re-
corded in a neat hand, that those whom the
thoughtless may esteem possessed of every en-
joyment this life can afford, are, nevertheless,
often called upon by Divine Providence to en-
dure bereavements which make them subjects
of common sympathy, illustrated in the instance
of the above-named amiable and charitable
Princess by all her children, including an only
son of great promise, having been taken from
her by death.
On the ground floor is also an excellent
wash-house, supplied with stone tanks, and
constantly running water. The water-supply
is carried to the top of the house, and the sani-
tary arrangements are very praiseworthy.
From the upper windows a fine view of the
countless domes and towers of Rome is ob-
tained, bounded by the north elevation of the
Corsini palace.
Other works of peace are the various archae-
ological excavations which are continually un-
earthing objects of interest in and around
Rome. These are suspended during the hot
season, when it is not considered safe for the
workmen to continue at them ; they were re-
sumed this winter just as usual. They are sub-
sidized by a grant every year from the Ministry
of Public Works ; but Commendatore Vis-
conti, commissary of antiquities, who directs
them, has frequently to call on the Pope for
extra aid, and out of his inconsiderable civil
list Pius IX. often affords 5,000 or 10,000
lire at a time to promote the interest of science.
The principal works in hand at the present
moment are those of Ostia, the Palatine, the
Trastevere, and the Marmorata.
At Ostia Commendatore Visconti is forming
a local museum, which will henceforth receive
whatever objects of interest are dug out, so
that they may be studied amid all their natural
associations. It is reckoned that about two-
fifths of the ancient city have been already
brought to light.
The whole of the Palatine, with the ex-
ception of the Farnese Gardens and the villa
Of the Visitation nuns, now belongs to the
State. It will, in all probability, purchase
the latter in order to prosecute its researches.
The present owner of the former is the Em-
peror of the French.
In the Trastevere, I mentioned to you many
months ago that the statio of the seventh cohort
of the Vigiles had been discovered. Since that
time not only have these quarters of the army
of ancient Rome been opened up, but there
have been found on the walls many inscriptions
scratched with the point of a knife on the
fresh plaster, many of which are likely to
prove of great importance in fixing dates which
have hitherto been the subject of controversy.
But the excavations to which attention is being
especially directed at the present moment are
those of the Marmorata, on the left bank of the
Tiber, where the numerous blocks of marble,
drawn by ancient Rome from the quarries
of Greece, Asia, and Africa, for the construc-
tion and embellishment of her temples and
palaces, were deposited after being brought up
the Tiber from the port o Ostia, The dig-

ging on this spot has only lately been under-
taken, yet already forty-three blocks of marble

have been unearthed, all of which come from
quarries at present unknown or exhausted.
Some of these blocks are estimated to be worth
10,000 ]ire.

The Holy Father drove to the spot unex.
pectedly on the 10th, and, as it happened,
found Cardinal Antonelli talking with the
charming ease of manner which distinguishes
him to Commendatore Visconti and the work-
men. Commendatore Visconti had the honour
of guiding his Holiness along the rough path by
the bank of the river leading to the works,
and explaining their whole bearing to his Holi-
ness. A very beautiful block of marble (marmor
carystium) was dug out in his presence.
I shall probably often have occasion to men-
tion this work, as it is likely to lead to discove-
ries scarcely second in interest to those of Her-
culaneum or Pompeii.

Some of the beautiful marbles already
brought to the surface will be used in the
new chapel of St. Andrew Avellino, in the
church of St. Andrea della Valle.

The excavations in the catacombs are also

progressing. Cavaliere Rossi is still engaged
on the second volume of his " Roma Sotter-

ranea," which is being published at the Pope's
expense.

The following report, which I extract from

the Correspondance de Rome, of the last meeting
of the British Archeological Society, may have
an interest for some of your readers :
Mr. Parker commenced by expressing his satis-
faction at the admission of Cavaliere Rossi among
the honorary members of the society. He said
Cavaliere Rossi was one of the most distinguished
archologists of Europe. His " Inscrrptiones
Romanae " and his "Roma, Sotterranea " alone
suffice to fix his rank in the world of science. It
was to him the Pope referred the society when it
applied for permission to study and take photo-
graphs in the catacombs. The cordiality with
which this permission was accorded testifies to the
liberality and large-mindedness of the Cavaliere.
Far from shutting them out of what may be consi-
dered his special domain, he defended them against
other persons who raised difficulties as to their ad-
mission. That the Pope had presented him (Mr.
Parker) with the silver medal was sufficient evi-
dence that he approved their objects and spirit.
The first season he passed in Rome he made it
his work to study the primitive Christian churches
of Rome, and examine the fragments of construc-
tion alleged to belong to the time of the Apostles,
which are not infrequently to be met with. He
was, of course, most attracted by that of St. Puden-
tiana, which had always been declared by the
Church of Rome to be the oldest in the world. And
he had convinc3d himself that part of the walls
and the crypt really belonged to the date of Nero,
and that the edifice had originally been a hall in
the palace of the Senator Pudens, the friend of
Martial and Governor of the Roman provinces of
" Britannia Meridionalis," and that the crypt was
long the refuge of the Christians in time of per-
secution, as Justin Martyr attests.
Mr. Shakespeare Wood then read a paper on the

fragments of the plan of Rome, engraved in marble,
of the date of the third century, found in the gar.
den of the Church of SS. Cosmo e Damiano, at the
foot of a brick wall, on which are yet to be found
remains of cement and metal hooks or clasps, des-
tined to attach a coating of marble ; he believed
that the wall belonged to the Templunz Urbis Roma;.
The fragments of the plan contain that of an im-
mense portico, with the words, Porticus Livia, and
coincides exactly in all its measures with the site
of the present Church of Sta. Francesca Romano,
and the ruins commonly called Templum Veneris et
Roma?.

Mr. Hemans combated Mr. Wood's opinion with
great ingenuity of argument, citing from memory
a number of passages from ancient authors. Mr.
Parker stated, however, that his view coincided
with that expressed by Mr. Wood. It is further
his idea that the third Regio of the time of Augus-
tus, instead of ending with the Meta Sudans, a s
modern authors have supposed, may, with much
more probability, be reckoned to have extended to
the other extremity of the plane on which the
Porticos Livice was placed, and that the little
triangular elevation between the Basilica of Max-
entius and that of Constantine, the Coliseum and
the east side of the Porticus Livice, is the site
of the Castra Misenatium.

In order to understand Mr. Parker's speech it is
necessary to explain the origin of the opposition
to which he alludes. It would seem that when
he first came to Rome, his zeal in examining
both within and without the construction of the
primitive churches, led him, on one occasion, in
order the better to explain his discoveries in the
Church of Sta. Pudentiana to his friends, to address
them out loud, standing in the altar, and with his
back turned (inadvertently) to the Tabernacle.
The ecclesiastical authorities were naturally scan-
dalized at the moment; but the matter was ex-
plained, and Mr. Parker was permitted to con-
tinue his researches, having care to use greater
caution.

The naval fleet of the United States is composed
of six squadrons, besides half a dozen vessels on special
service. The North Atlantic squadron is composed of the
Susquehanna, 14 guns; De Soto, 6; Monongahela, 7 ; Don,
8; Shawmut, 8 ; Mahaska, 10 ; Saco, 10 ; Yantic, 5 ; Marble-
head; 7; Glasgow, 2. The South Atlantic squadron is
composed of the Guerriere, 21; Pawnee, 11; Shamokia,
10; Quinnobaug, 6; Huron, 6; Wasp, 3; Kansas, 3. The
European Squadron.—Franklin, 39; Canandaigua, 7;
Ticonderoga, 9 ; Shamrock, 10 ; S watara, 10 ; Frolic,
5; truard, 3. North Pacific Squadron.—Pensacola,
20; Ossipee, 6 ; Saranac, 11 ; Lackawanna, 7 ; Mohican,
7 ; Resaca, 8 ; Swanee, 10; store ship Cyane, 18 ;
Saginau, 6 ; Jamestown, 1. South Pacific Squadron
Powhatan, 17 ; store ship Fredonia, 0 ; Dakota, 3 ; Wate-
ree, 10 ; Nyack, 6. Asiatic squadron : Hartford, 21; Shen-
andoah, 7 ; Ashuelot, 10 ; Oneida, 8. Monocacy, 10 ; Ana-
dilla, 5 ; Wyoming, 6 ; Arcostook, 5 ; store ship Idaho, 7 ;
Supply, 6 ; Onward, 3 ; Piscataqua, 23. Special service :
Michigan, 8 ; Sabine, 34; Taratoga, 9 : Newberne, 3 ;
Portsmouth, 9 ; Ascentney, 2 ; Purveyor, 1. There are
53 ironclads laid up —2l at League Island (near Philadel-
phia); 8 at New Orleans, 7 at Mound City (Illinois), 5 at
Washington, 4at Boston, 2 at San Francisco, 3 at New
York ; at Portsmouth 1, at Philadelphia 1, and at Anna-
polis 1. . Congress has authorised the selling of the most
of these.

The Washington correspondent of the Herald
says that President Johnson has selected General 3140101-
lan to succeed •Mr. Adams as United States Minister to
&gland. There is much doubt, however, whether Gen.
M'Clellan, who is at present in Europe, will accept the
offer, and there is less that the Senate will reject the
nomination.

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erald
'Clel-
er to
Gen.
A the
A the

ravate
storing
mrish-
1301111d
3tional

-We
stored
1866.
since,
ntirely
Leumes
r bene-
s excel

1. us.;
No. 779
Willy;
id 298,