The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-07-05

executons above mediocrity and viewed merely as
the perfect statue cxtant Of Distinguishing Ro
man. the leader and head of the party who opposed
the projects of an ambitious demagogue it would ex-
cite considerable ncrest.--But when you associate
with the character of Pompey, the event with which
this statue is said have been connected when you
transport yourselfto the des Of March, end fancy the
great Caesar weltsring in his blood ut the foot OF tire
statue Of the man, whom his ambition had sacrificed
when you fancy yourself in some degree connected
with that evert by the presence of inannate ob-
icct which was witness of the scene, YOU cornot
refrain from the high degree of sensiby and inter
est.
This statue ofPompeywas to my feelings the most
touching relict Of antiquity, which have Per-
haps you will not feel, from the codness Of my des
cripton, the sentiment would convey; but can
you, that the presence of an inanimate object,
connected with distant events either horrible great
produces strong and sometimes violent effect on
the human imagination. You may recollect the use,
which has been very ably and artfuly made of this
principle in one Of our modern plays, [" Speed the
Plough :; and Venture to say, that no person ever
saw those instruments Of death brought out, in the
representation of that piece without involuntary
sensation Of horrour.
Another OF .he palaces of one of the noble Roman
families which have recently visited, is that of
Coionna. The magnlficence grandeur, beauty, and.
decorations of this paaces paintings, statury and
architecture, perfectly respond to the noble charac-
ter of this illustrious family. Why does it happen
that the modern well the Ancient Romans pos
taste, SO much superour to that of any ether
nation in the world Ifitb said, that the Romans did
originally possess this taste, that they in
debted for tito the Greeks,t becomes still more re-
maikable, that of the nations of Modern Europe
whose artists have been perpetuaily studying in the
school of Italy, should have caught large portion Of
this spirit.
The palace of Colonna is superiour in every res.
pect to any royal other edhce in Great-Britap,
and if the palace Of Versailles exceeds it in magni
fccnce, it falls far short of it in beauty.
Of its various beauties in the different arts shall
not attempt description, because am not adequate
to it though cannot avoid remarking, that saw
here painting of Venus by Carlo Maratti, which
may vic with the celebrated statue in Paris called the
Venus di Medci. Though they are OF a very differ
ent nature, yet they resemble each other in point
in responding to those imaginary ideas OF beauty,
which the poets had taught us to expect in Venus.
Their merit only be judged of by comparing
them with the best attempts made by ether artists
you will then preceive, that the authors Of these two
chefs d'ouyres drew their ideas Of the goddess of
beauty from their sublime imaginatons, instead
of drawing them from some comeiy milklnad or eel
ebrated courtezan
In this palace we wl.e shewn costly cabinet cov-
cred with apis, lazli, cmeralds, agates, and other
precious stones OF uncommon brjliiancy and prodigi
value The history Of this piece of furniture
terested me, and perhaps may afford you moments
amusement. 1t the property of the unfortunate
Charles l. of England 1t afterwards sold by
Cromwell 10 cardinal MaZarin, and by an intermar
rageit las become the estate OF the family of
Colonna. This family, you know, has been dstin
gushcd both in letters and arms, and as long the
works Of Petrarch shall be read, they will never be
forgotten If the unfortunate house Of Stuart must
have been deprived of this beautiful cabinet it could
not have fallen honourable hands, and there
il certainly place in Europe where it could be dis
played to more advantage.
I could not however help moraizing upon the in
stability of human affairs, when saw this cabinet,
and especially upon the feelings OF the cardinal duke
of York, who must often rcct of MS tarnilys
former spiendour and greatness while its last re-
preventative is now an exile from his country, and de-
pendent the bounty % the
Of his ancestors do not know trait in the history
Of modern princes honourabie or more affecting
than this pension granted hy the king of g. Britain TO
the pretender TO his throne. The house Of Stuart,
and the house of Bourbon pensioners to the house Of
Hanover What would Louis XIV or James l. have
said 10 prophecy of such an event