The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-11-08
AMUSING MISCELL ANY.
FROM THE ANTHOLOGY.
Original Letters, from an .American Traveller
in EHrohe, to bis friends in This country.
LETTER TWENTY-FIRST.
tft Rome, Fee. IS, 1905.

MY DEAR FRIEND.
~ Had commenced in my last letter short to.
biographical description of modern Rome. have
spoken of its SIZE its surface and general form and
appearance. Something has been said also Of its
mountains, or rather Us we should call them, hills.
The Monte Cello, or Mons Cclius, is no otherwise
remarkable Mt the present day, than as being the
scitc of the famous church of 81 John in Laterano.
the second church OF Rome in point of splendour,
and the Oldest IN Chrisendom the catholicks pre-.
tend Whatever may be the justice cf its prcten-
tons in this respect, they far admitted by the
Apostolick sec, that the ceremony of the induction
9f the pope is always performed in this church, to
the great prejudice OF its proud sister, ST. Peters
nthc carly ages OF Rome, this mountain was cal-
led the mountain of Oaks, on account Of its being
covered with thick forests it is said to have dcriv
cd its present name from Cciis who, according to
Tactus, brought suecours to Tarquin the ancient in
his war against the Sabncs. II would not be an in
iury TO Romr, 1T i were again covered with oaks,
since It embraces portion which is among the most
deserted, and seems from that cause to cast gloom
over the rest Of the city. ters
The Avcntinc mount Is not worthy Of notice on
account of any remarkable modern edihccs /; it's cx.
tent is very considerable and its heghth has been MS
little impaired as any Of these famous hills.
The Mons Quirinalis is situated in the most popu-
Ious part of modern Rome il is in fact covered with
fine streets and magnificent cdiccs, but it is most
distinguished by being the seat Of the papal palace,
in which the pope always actually resides. Upon
OcCaSlOnS ot Hrtat Splcnuour ami SOeiunty, the
tican is preferred, but the constant domestck estab
iishmcnt Of the pope is at the Qurnal palace 1t is
most bcaut.u! and noble hil and gives an air of
grandeur to this city, of which other city of Eu-
rope can boast ~ =. ttttt
Though the Mons Janiculus was not considered rs
one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was
said TO have been built (probahy because il was on
the opposite side Of the river from the Others, and
rather without the populous part Of the cty) yet it
always formed and still forms very important and
interesting portion Of the mctropolis It is now in
ferour TO none Of the other hills in point Of splcn-
dour stcc It has the honour to support the ;ncom-
parable palace of the Vatican and the netropoitan
church OF ST. Peters. These edifces, so beautiful,
SO magnificent 90 princcly 80 filed with rclicks oi
ancient art, and with the incompatible productions
Of modern genius, would alone be sufficient to be.
dstin. .ton and consequence upon any hill or any
city, IN which they should be placed. -s',.... !
The 'Tibcr, so celebrated BY ancient poets so de-
serving Of interest For having watcred tho first city
IN the world, Is often spoken Of contcmptuoJsly by
modern travellers. It has been called little, con-
tcmptibic, muddy rivulct. What pleasure these
gentlemen ltcrat take IN thus callmnating this
noble stream, cannot conceive for my own part
j have different feeling the subject and as tho
Tibcr fully answered my expectations, and respond
cL to the descriptions Of Il in classick writer's
eA;nk Il worthy OF few lines Of description from
which ycu viii be able to form an opicou for your
ssff sss,l 3st s. m -
The Tibcr takes its rise about one hundred and
ffty miles from the Mcditsrranesn though x is rsv