The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
ROBERT ON THE DOME OF ST.
PETERS, AT ROME.

PETERS, AT ROME.
Translated from ".Memoires de Madame
la Duchesse d.abrantes." One must have
nerves of steel to read without trembling, this
account of Roberts perilous enterprise. Ro-
bert was an enthusiastic young painter, pupil
Of the French Academy, sent to Rome to
study the frescoes. Ed. L. G.
Robert was one day at st. Peters. The
hour of divine service was past, and he was
almost alone. The silent and religious quiet
of this vast edifice. was interrupted only by
the footsteps of few casual visitors. Robert
cast on all sides his look of ardent enthusiasm
in search of new wonders. On a sudden, he
saw rope descend from the opening at the
top of the grand cupola, workman having
approached, fastened to it bucket Of water,
and it again assembled. The roof was out Of
repair, and some masons were at work upon it.
This gave him the idea Of ascending the Gu
pola.
Il was curious" said he, to examine as
closely as possible the injury done to this CO.
lossus OF modern architecture, which, shooting
up towards heaven, seems contemptuously to
say 10 the ruined monuments around it, I am
eternal. Its pride seemed to me much low
cred That rope, that bucket, and that solita-
ny workman, struck me as contemplate"
He assembled the dome. On his arrival at
the summit, he was struck with admiration and
wonder at the magnificent prospect before him.
1t was splendid and living panorama, lighted
by sunbeams so different from those Of every
other country, covering nature with a bright
and glorious veil of beautiful colors, which
floats over the buildings, trees, and land Of
Italy alone. He then looked more nearly
around him, and perceived few workmen re-
pairing some slight damage done to the roof
of the dome. To obtain water with greater
ease, they had placed across the opening of
the cupola two long planks tied together; over
them rope was thrown, which descended
into the church. These planks might be two
feet and half in width and as the apparatus
was intended merely to support bucket of
water, no one cared whether it would or would
not bear greater weight.
Looking on these things with the eyes Of
young man Of twenty, with eyes that see dan
ger only to brave and laugh at it, Robert began
to think that it must be singular sight to be-
hold st. Peters from Top to bottom, the re-
verse Of the manner in which every thing that !
has base and summit is generally seen-name-
ly, from bottom to top. This idea soon took
such possession of his mind, that he must
needs satisfy it. Never once calculating
whether the plank across this opening, which
was three hundred feet from the ground, was
strong enough to bear his weight, he placed
one foot upon it, then the other, and behold
him upon this dangerous bridge, without any
possibility of turning back!
When, for the first time, he told me this
story, the instant / sa,c him upon the plank,
suspended, as it were, between heaven and the
hard marble floor, upon which he might be
dashed to atoms, was seized with giddiness
such as he might himself be expected to have
felt when in this critical situation. We sur
rounded him closely, eager to catch every
word he uttered, and following him step by
step across this dangerous bridge.
:" Scarcely had performed a third of my
Journey" said he, "when eager to enjoy the
spectacle sought, l cast my eyes below! AT
the same instant, Kissing sound whizzed
through my years, my head became covered
with a veil of darkness, succeeded by one of
fret was seized, in short, with the most
horrible vertigo. Fortunately, had presence
of mind Immediately to shut my eyes and
stand still. | cannot express to you what |
felt at this moment, when heard voices close
to my years, uttering in whispers the most
dreadful blasphemios 1t was the workmen
opened my eyes to continue my perilous
journey, for felt that if remained minute
longer in this situation, l should die even
without falling"
He was advancing with firm step upon
that narrow plank, when he felt the wood
crack under him He was then in the middle
of the plank, and the weight Of his body, so
much greater than that of the water-bucket,
must necessarily break the bridge, and he be
preciptated to the bottom.
"Ah!" said a lad, who heard the wood
crack, "the plank is rotten The unhappy
man will e."
He did not pronounce the word; for the
head workman placed his hand upon the lads
mouth.
When Robert reached the other side, and
saw the plank, the abyss, and death behind
him, he fell upon his knees, and poured forth
his humble Thanksgiving to Almighty God for
his delivery from danger.
"Ah my friends" said he to the workmen,
with smile Of ineffable joy, and his eyes
swimming in tears, show happy ami"
But instead of sharing his delight, the work.
4. 4.