The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-04-26
LETTER FOURTH.
Rome, Dec. 9, 1904.
MY DEAR FRIEND,


MY DEAR FRIEND,
AMONGST the innumerable objects of curiosity
and beauty, with which this city abounds it becomes
extremely embarrassing to select those, which would
be most Interesting to ones friends In my very i'm
perfect sketches to my friends have taken up such
detached subjects, accidentally presented them
selves. In my last letter to yon enumerated many
OF the extraordinary Instances of that blind crcduIty
and superstition, for which this country has been distn
gished during the later ages, and from the tyranny OF
which it has not yet been liberated could multiply
these proofs without limit but fear that have been
already too dffuse on this point ! cannot however
restrain myself from mentioning two paintings, which
made strong impression upon to the small
disorder of my rsiblc muscles The one is figure
of Saint Charles Borromco, Qor whose merits and
character you may consult my letters from Milan)
who is represented upon his knees before the Virgin
Mary, very piousy and literally presenting her his
heart, which he holds in his hand The other is
representation of Saint Dennis, and his extraordina
Iy dying miracle. This saint who is the protector of
France, is described standing with his head in his
hand, in most firm and dignifed posture. The pcn-
ter has taken poctck license in this representa-
ton lie has confo.Tned himself strictly to Cas!oGck
history which states, that St Dennis, having suffer-
ednartyrdom by decap.ation instantly arose heroical
ly seized his discovered head, and walked upwards
of mile in that situation, to the utter confusion
coUbf of his murdercrs
But enough of these absurltes, it is more inter-
esting TO of reflection to learn the effects of
stch a system on manners and national character.
To you would bcnccdlcss to remark, that the char
acter of the Italians, and especially of the Ro-
mans, is now in its Nadr This opinion is too UNI
versally admitted to requrc proof but general opin
IONS are less interesting, than the facts and details
upon which they are founded, especially when these
can be obtained from persons, of whose veracity
can form correct estimate The country around
Rome every side is in the most deserted, forlorn,
and miserable situation, Of which the imagination
can form any conception. Except where some rich
nephew OF a pope has erected princcly villa, the
country perfectly responds to the description of the
ruins Of Palmyra OF Babylon, where, travellers
relate, you are compelled to take aguide and wander
along the banks of the Euphrates. amidst tigers and
other beasts ofpcy, to discover the spot, where the
richest city in the world reared its proud and lo
~ turrets.
You will naturally inquire, is the soil miserable
Tar frssn it. Independent Of the well known fact,
that il was the popolous and best cutva-
ted country in the world assure you, that the soil
appears to to be az present very strong, and
pable OF producing most abundanty. Naturalists
say, and think the colour and nature of the soil
FULLY support the opinion that the soil in this part of
Italy Is the product of ancient volcanoes at least
that, upon analysis, is found 10 be the same with
that IN the vicinity of Naples, which is known to have
been produced by volcanick eruptons. These soils,
we know, remarkable for their fertility, and the
gardens and pleasure grounds of the ecclesasticks
aud nobility around Rome are ncontcstiblc proofs of
The climate also is the most favourable for success
fll culture. Il lies in the happy medium between
the cold northern and scorching tropical climates
But this country is said to be unhealthy. This is
but too true. No countryis more ravaged by autumn
nal diseases, than the environs Of Rome, and even
the city itself is not exempt from this calamity. In
the vicnity, Famine and Misery, Disease aud Death
surround you and in the city the pallid councnan-
ces .ofthe inhabitants pronounce most coqucntly the
fatal insaubrty Of the air. An official statement
which have Just seen, viii give you some idea ofthis
extraordinary city There about so parish church,
"a fivc thousand cccesiasticks or religious dcvotees
Of bota sexes, in cclibacy; twenty thousand more
males ti,an fcInaess and, for century past, one
thousand deaths, than Irths Still this city
constantly on the increases t the French revolution
izcd il, and auuiated the ecclesiastical asthority
when, losing tsonly support, IL suddenly decreased
twenty thousand.
The result Of the foregoing statement arpcars.to