The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-07-26

surrounded with this rich banquet Of genius and ial-
ent which his pride VIII not let Lin dispose Of, he
often dimes on soup neagre for want OF fDnds. do
not mean that he literally wants bread, but am
sured that these princes often in want Of guinea
to pay their debts
The house of Borghese, however, will probably be
provided for. The young prince has lately married
the widow Of general lie Clerc the sister of the
perour Napoleon. To the Bonaparte family he brought
rank, pslaces and the richest treasures of painting
and sculpture and he only demands in return little
Spanish or Neapolitan gold, which twenty thousand
French troops at any time command
understand that young Berghcse is q very stupid,
silly prince but his wife has talents, at least for
the theatre Of love, and fafernai assistance his
Of talents is of no moment.
AS the Palazzo Borghcse is the most splendid of
the Roman palaces, so the Villa Borghese is the most
distinguished of the country seats in the Roman terri
ritory is very large and elegant seat laid out
with great taste, asye between that Of the French
and English pleasure grounds
Decorated with fountains and jcttes d'eau, inwhch
the Romans excel all the world, ornamented with
tifcal lakes, temples and ruins, shaded by groves,
and laid out in walks sheltered by lofty hedges, it
boasts more magnifcence, and affords more variety
than any thing OF the sort have met with in Europe.
The Romans indeed have great superiority all
the rest of the world IN this species of decoration.
They statues of heathcn Gods, and of illus
trious men they distribute temples and ruins,
without offending taste, or violating probability.
What 81 absurdity would il be in our country to er-
cct the ruins Of Roman temple, when our history
excludes the possibility of such fiction If we would
adhere probabilities, should confne ourselves
to wigwains and beaverdams, instead of ruined pala
ces or shattered theatres.
The moderate nature of the Italian climate is
equally favourable to delicious retreats of this ma
ture Their hedges are composed of the Laurustinus,
in bloom, of the laurel and the myrtle. The box
and myrtle put forth their leaves and flower buds in
December, in this climate, and in fower~n jan
ary and February.
When you peep through the hedges, you see the
orange sinking down under its golden burden and the
citron arrests your attention by its fragrant ps
No place ia the world unites all these charms in
higher decree than the Villa Borghese. 1t has
fine carriage road throughout its extent, and is very
Literally thrown open to the publick for promenade.
The palace OF this villa is as superb as IFS grounds
are enchanting. Of an Imposing magnitude, richly
decorated with antique basreliefs in the 'front.' its
terour gives you promise of the noble fesss
within Nine elegant rooms on the basement story,
whose pillars, floors, and wanscots are of the
richest MARBLE Of intimate variety, laid open for
the display Of the finest exhibitions Of sculpture ex.
listing in any private cabinet in the wcrld s.
shall not attempt to describe them many excel
lent remarks have been made on them by DR. Moore,
but there are few, which connot refrain from
ticing.
There is a Grccian bas- relief, though of Roman
subject Curtus his horse, leaping the chasm
| to save hrs country. This is executed in marble.
The expressions of terrour in the attitudes and coun
tcnance of the horse, and of despair in that of Cur
us, are inimitably fine.
There are three pieces of statucry Of Bernin who
lived about century since, and who is therefore
classed with the moderns, but whose works are, /
think, eqca TO those OF any ancient artist The first
is David with his sling, and his hand drawn back in
the attitude of immediate attack his countenance s
1 severe anger is ininitahly expressed but think
with many others, that it is deficient in dignity it is
the anger Of mind it is not the soul of Da-
vid,commssioned, he must have felt himself to be,
by the God of battles The anatomical accuracy
OF this statue, and its attitudes, appear to me fine.
The second is Eneas, in the act of bearing off his
father, with the little Iuus by his side. Ii is ten
der, patetick story, bat do think that Bernni
has rendered it as touching as he might. But his
third piece makes ample amends for any trivial de-
ects in the other two The subjects one OF Ovids
the fight of Daphne and the pursuit Of Apollo The
| sculptor has chosen the moment when the God of
/ musick and of light had overtaken the Nymph and
when she was to spare her disgrace, ,cthverted into
tree. The attitudes of both figures are enchanting
Her urfted hands are already springing into leaves
and the tender feet striking ioots into the earth
Nobody would have conceived {,lat marble could so
we'll have expressed this singular NEUROLOGICAL fable.
The connoisscurs Of o1' party give this piece pre-
ference, in some respects, to the Apollo di Bel
! vidcre, or the Venus di Medci, at Paris
i A group is undoubtedly more interesting than a
single figure, and Bemini has here had in his pow
| or to unite the beauties Of both the Apollo and
the Venus in addition to which he has contriyed to
shew his skill in the representation of the Metamor-
| phosis. 3.. ea W
In this admirable villa there arealso the celebrated
/ Seneca, dying in the bath, too exqusiteiy done.
Death, with all his horrours, is accurately descrb
ed by the faithful chisel. The beautiful HERNIA
phrodite, lying on couch the lighting Gladiator
the Centaur conquered by Cupid, are all chief
druvres of Grecan artists On the whole, i can say
without enthusiasm that hsdthere been other pal
ace at Rome but that Of Borghese, should have
thought myself amply repaid for the visit. But I
much question, whether We derive more pleasure
from this superabndance OF baties, than If they were
more limited in number. We should visit them Of
tener and have more correct, definite, and stronger
l Impressions.
Il shall leave the description Of the Pslais Dorla,
Giustinani, Barbcrini, Aldobrandini, Nfcdcis, and
IMdovs, till my return and shall take my leave
of Rome, to introduce you to wonders Of another
a., andA