Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-23

some other of the wonders of antique art. The
sun had set, however, and the long campaena Of
twenty miles lay between us and Rome. We
were compelled to leave it unseen, We entered
the gates at nine o'clock, unrobbed-rather an
unusual good fortune, we were told, for travel.
lers after dark on that lonely waste. Perhaps
our number deprived Us Of the romance.
left crowded ballroom at midnight, wear.
led With day at TivoIi, and oppressed with an
atmosphere breathed by two hundred, dancing
and cardpaying, Romans and foreigners; and
with step from the portco Of the noble palace
OF our host. came into broad beam of moon
light, that with stiffness aud GOODNESS Of the night
refreshed the at once, and banished all dispos.
ton for sleep a friend was with me, and l
proposed ramble among the ruins.
The sentinel challenged US as we entered the
Forum. The frequent robseries Of romantic
strangers in this lonely place have made guard
necessary, and they are now stationed from the
Arch OF Severus to the Coliseum. We passed
an hour rambling among the ruins OF the temples.
Not fnotstep was TO be heard, nor sound even
from the near city-and the tall columns, with
their broken friezes and capitals, and the grand
imperishable arches. stood up 10 the bright light
OF the moon, looking indeed like monuments of
tso"Ss ah 1850 WdlSStC ny udy-
light. The rubbish and fresh earth iniure the
effect But have as yet seen them in the garb
Of moonlight only, and shall carry this impres.
sion away. Ii is to me now, all that my fancy
hoped 10 End tits temples and columns Just
eooush in ruin to be affecting and beautiful.
We went thence to the Temple Of Vesta. 1t
IS shut up in the modern streets. ten or fifteen
minutes walk from the Forum. The picture Of
this perfect temple. and the beautiful purpose of
its conservation, have been always prominent ~
my imaginary Rome. 1t is worthy Of its assO
citation; an exquisite round temple, with its sim
pie circle of columns from the base to the roof,
faultlcss thing in proportion, and as light and
floating TO the eye as if the wind might lift it,
II was no common place to stand beside, and re-
cal the poetica truth aud fiction of which il has
been the scene-the vestal lamp cherished by its
high born v0taries, their hOnors it pure, and
their dreadful death il faiihless. 1t needed not
the heavenly moonlight that broke across its CO.
lunins to make 1t very shrine Of fancy.
My companion proposed visit next TO the
Cloaca Maxima. A common serer, after the
Temple If Vesta. sounds like an abrupt uansi.
ton; but the arches beneath which we descend.
ed we're touched BY moonlight. and the vines
aud ivy crossed our path, and instead Ut drain
Of fifth, which the fame Of its imperial builder
would scarce have sweetened, a rapid stream
!eaped to the light, and disappeared again be-
meath the sulid masonry. more like wild brook
plunging into a grotto than the thing one expects
to find 1t. The clear little river Jufurna, ION
the banks Of which Castor and Puliux watered
their foamins horses, when bringing the news of
victory TO Rome dashes nuw through the Cloaca
Maxlma; aud fresher and purer spot. or va.
tiers with more musical ,nurmur, it has not been
my fortune to see. We stopped over broken
column for drink, and went home, refreshed,
TO bed.