Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-14

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children, nymphs, and heroes, from minds that
conceived beauty in degree that has never been
transcribed, confuse and bewilder you with their
number and wonderful workmanship 1t is like
seeing vision Of past ages. Its calling up from
Athens and old classic Rome, all that was dis.
tinguished and admired OF the most polished ages
Of the world. On the right Of the long gallery
as YOU enter stands the bust of the "Young Au.
gustus''-a kind Of beautifed, angelic likeness
OF Napoleon, as Napoleon might have been in his
youth. 1t is boy, but with serene dignitv
about the forehead and lips, that makes him visi-
bly, boy-emperor-born for his throne, and con.
scious Of his right to it. There is nothing in
marble more perfect, and never saw any thing
which made me realize that the Romans Of histo-
~ and poetry were nen-nothing which brought
them SO Familiarity to my mind, as the feeling for
beauty shown in this infantine bust. l would
rather have it than all the gods and heroes Of the
Vatican.
No cast gives you any idea worth having of
the Apollo Belvidere. tits godlike model Of
a man. The lishtuess and the elegance of the
limbs; the free, fiery, confident enegy of the at
titude; the breathing, indignant nostril and lips;
the whole statues mingled aud equal grace and
power. are, with all its truth to nature, beyond
any conception had formed of manly beauty
1t spoils ones eye for common men, to look at
it. 1t stands there like descended angel, with
a splendour Of form and an air Of power. that
make one feel what he should have been, and
mOrtihes him for what he is. Most women
whom have met in Europe, adore the Apollo as
far the finest statue in the world, and most men
say as much OF the Medicean Venus. But, to my
eye. the Venus, lovely as she is, compares with
the Apollo as mortal with an angel of light
The latter is incomparably the finest statue. If
it were only for its face, it would transcend the
other infinitely. The beauty Of tue Venus is on
y 10 the limbs and body. 1t is faultess, and
withai modest representation of the Hesh and
blood beauty Of woman. The Apollo is all
this, and has soul. have seen women that
approached the Venus 10 form, aud had finer ia.
ces-l never saw man that was a shadow OF
the Apollo IN either. II stands as it should, in a
room BY itself, and is thronged at all hours by fe
male worshippers. They never tire OF gazing at
it; and should believe. from the open. mouthed
the story of the girl who pined and died for love
oft, was neither improbable nor singular.
"Rlpaaei's e" TRANSPORTATION" IL agreed to
be the finest picture in the world. | had made
Up my mind to the same opinion from the engra.
wings Of it. but was painfully Disappointed in the
picture. looked at it from every corner OF the
room, and asked the custode three times if he
VAS sure this VAS the original The color offend
ed nv eye, blind as Raphael's name should make
II. and left the room with sigh, and an unset
tied faith III my own taste, that made me serious.
iy unhappy. My c"mplacency was restored III
few hours after on hearing that the wonder was
entirely in the drawing-the colors having quite
changed with time. | bought the engraving i'm.
medlately, which you have seen too often, Of
| course, to need nv commentary. The aerial
,ishtness with which he has hung figures in the
air, is triumph Of the pencil over the laws Of
nature, that seems 10 have required the power
Ut the miraclritsclf
| lost mvsefi in coming home, and following
priests direction to the Corso, came unex pected-
lv upon the s. Pantheon" which recognized at
once. This wonder of architecture has no ques.
tiouabe beauty. A Ounce would not need to be
told that il was perfect. Its Corinthian columns
tall on the eve with that sense of fulness that
seems TO answer an instinct of beauty in the very
organ. One feels fault or an excellence in ar
chilecture long before he can give the feeling
name; and can see Why, by Childe Harold and
Others. this heather temple is called the - Prde
Of Rome, though cannot venture on descrip
ton. The faultless interior is used as a
church, and there lie Annibsl Carracci and the
divine Rapheal-two names worthy OF the place,
and the last Of shrine in every bosom capable
Of conception Of beauty. Glorious Raphael!
IL there was no other relic 10 Rome. one would
| willingly become pilgrim to his ashes.
With INV countryman aud friend, Mr.. Cleve-
land, | stood in the Roman forum by the light
of clear half moon. The soft silver rays pnur.
ed in through the ruined columns Of the Ten.
pie of Fortune, and threw our shadows upon the
bases of the tall shafts near the capitol, the re-
mains. / belere. OF the temple erected by Au-
gusius to Jupiter Tonans. Impressive things
they are, even without their name. standing tail
aud alone, with their or.A,U capitals wteashed
with IVY. aud neither roof nor walt to support
them where they were placed by hands that have
Wondered for centuries. 1t is difficult to rally
one's senses in such place. aud be awake cold
iy to the scene. We stood, as we supposed, in
the Rostrum. The noble arch. still almost per-
feet. erected BY the senate to Spptinius Severus,
stood up clear and lofty beside us-the three
matchless aud lonely columns of the supposed
temple of Jupiter Stator threw their shadows
across the Forum below; the great arch, built
at the conquest Of Jerusalem to Titus. was
visible in the distance, and above them all, on
the gentle ascent Of the Palatine, stood the RI.
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