The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-07-05
LETTER ELEVENTH.
Rome, Fec. 2, 1905.
Ny DEAR rRIE&s,

Nome, REQ. q, 1905.
NY DEAR FRIERs,
WE ere now detained prisoners in this CITY by
circumstance, which rarely occurs in our country,
hut which often interrupts the intercourse Of italy at
THU season of the yearthc overilowing of their rv-
ers Either from the filing up OF lis mouth, or from
some other cause, the Tber, must have altered very
lnuch in modern times, or else the masters of the
world must have been not only extremely incomInod.
Cd, but absolutely made prisoners in their city No
river in Europe more frequently more dangerously
ovcrhows, than the Tiber. When thus swollenitis a
perfect torrent, and standing on Of the ancient
Roman bridges, you can understand and admire the
description OF our English poet,
/" The Gre,fui Tiber chafng with his nood,'
and can realize all the dangers ef Cassus and Crsar
when :. ...
" The torrent roar'd, and they did buffet it."
!, Some writer's have represented the Tiber as di-
,nnutive, dcsp.caLlc iivulct Such representations
nust proceed from disposition to oppose prevail
ing and hitherto established opinions. Although all
.ic European rivers appear small TO an american,
yet can assure you, the Tibcr appeared to me to be
AMONG the most respectable Of them II is certainly
a noi>ie stream, and when raised by the torrents,
which dcsceads from the Apprentices, becomes furious
and ungoscrnable carrying destruction and devasta-
lion in ITS courAe.
In consequence Of this disposition to overflow its
ssnks, apl wtha viewto perpetuate asweii as COM
pare these alarming snbmersons, about three hum
died years since OF the popes erected two pillars
on the banks oYthe Tber which may DC called iibe-
rca.eters Upon these pillars have been marked the
dates and heights of the water during every succeed
iayc i,od by these marks it appears, that these cx
traordiniy rises 90 not occur ofener than once or
wice in century, though several streets of the city
are submerged every year. 1t is also apparent that
,hc river has several times risen thirty feet above its
ordinary level and thatvcsscls OF three hundred tons
mi ght have sailed through the principal streets OF the
city. At tlis moment ii unusually high. The water
is scvccal feet deep in the Corso, which is the most
considerable street in the centre of the city, and the
pillars Of the Pantheon arc half covered with the
food. How .he Romans could have sobmittcd TO have
this Temple of all their Gods exposed to inuy,or
why they erected it in SO low part of the city,
c.-nnot conjecture ft
Ter ourselves, we have nothing personally TO fear
from this extraordinary food we have residence
tho side Of one of the ancient hills of Rome, and
.houid not be cxroscdto danger, evcnf three courths
osthe city should be swept away
Since our return to this city We have been occupied
in rcvistng the objects which, on first cxamna-
ioa, appeared TO deserve most attention, or in exam
iniDg those. which had before escaped ournotice.
Tostudy tile cuiicstcs Of Rome SO as to under
stand them fully 20 know the history OF each rect of
Aquity, TO learn TO discriminate tie different styles
and degrees of mcla in stauary, painting, and arch
itecture, would require several years but Tor what
IS here called thc usual round of the antquary, it
may be accomplished IN about SIX weeks. Although
this is much as travellers can afford to devote,
yet it must be wholly unsatisfactory to scholar, and
of cnthusastck taste Cor letters. What, fer cx-
ample, can one know OF the Vatican and ST Peters y
an two or three visits You cannot even examine the
outside of the cases, which the books contain
ed yon cannot wait tohear the names of tho fifteen
hundred statues in the Museum picum -Clementinum;
and the study OF the lodges and chambers Of Raphael
would require The whole period, which you de-
vote to all the antiquities and wonders Of this most
Astonishing city.
Among the palaces OF the modcrn nobility, which,
had not visited daring my former rcsidenccs here,
were those Of Spada and Colonn'l The former con-
fains vas; number Of fne statues dpaintinys, of
which even oataiosc would fatigue you, and de-
ccrption would requlse a volume, which am sure :
20, would not read. The only very. Interesting
th;ng which shall notice. Is TIC celebrated statue Of
,onnev fsnsd near Me Copnfo, and for that reason
>.,eo5ed 10 be the same q cie foot Of which Julius