The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-20
Ftom Gas Nsp York American.
THE VATICAN BY ToRCH-LiGHT.

In order 10 see the musoo" W "o
by torch-light, prior arrangement should DC
made with the eusfods. who, Tor hxed sum-
will have candles and attendants IN readiness.
The night for which our servant procured US
this privilege was misty aud uncomfortable
one ia the middle of January. As we drove
through the Via Condo,G and over the Ponte
81. Angelo. the streets seemed involved in
Cim,nerian darkness, except where shrine
lamp or open door, now and then, sent sud-
den ray OF indistinct light through the trickling
moisture Of the carriage windows. Upon
alghting beneath the colonade Of Bernini, we
could trace the gigantic outline Of ST. Peters,
but see nothing OF the details Of the la9ade,
while the fountain in the piazza signiied their
presence only by the FLASHING Of the falling
water.
Our party Of twelve assembled at the foot
of the grand staircase. There the servants
which had been provided, and Fixed four OF
these within a large polished reflector. This
was attached, after the wicks were lighted, to
q long pole, and borne before us by On attend
ant, the united flames casting red illumina-
ton upon the objects that we passed. In this
manner we trayersed the Sale Royale, where
the light Of our torch hardly revealed the
gloomy frescoes, and left behind us the door
of the Sistine Chapel, recollecting with mo-
mentary awe the sublime picture there hidden
in the darkness within. Passing rapidly
through the Loggie Of Raphael and the Cor
ridur Of Inscriptions, we found ourselves at
the entrance Of the Museum Chiaramond.
Here our torch-bearers halted, and pressing
forward, we looked into what seemed to Us an
interminable gallery Of statues. OF these, the
nearer were glowing in the red light, while
the more remote became indistinct, and at last
invisible. as the ray fell more feebly, and was
by degrees shaded down into the utter dark
ness of the distance. II required but dull
Imagination here to picture forth that silent
city where the Prince in the Arabian tales
found the inhabitants changed TO stone. So
many we're the representations ef the human
shape which met our eyes, and so various we're
the postures il assumed. We walked slowly
through double range Of statues, busts, sar-
step summoning new objects within the magic
circle Of its radiance. We delayed few
moments before the seated Tiberius, the
principal ornament Of tlRs corridor, and
here We first observed ME manner in
which the torch improves the effect Of
sculpture. 1t heightens the lights and
deepens the shadows. producing the same
influence which chiarp 'scuro has in painting,
giving relief, force, a signifcancy to par
tcular parts, and making, by contrast, certain
excellencies more salient and striking than
they appear in the equally diffnseJ light of
day. This kind Of illumination has the magic
OF the pencil Rembrandt and Caravaggio,
marking in strong lines. and often with ter
rifle power, the predominant character Of
work. At the same time it gives a carnation
hue to the marble, aud sofiens down its rigid,
guarried expression to what seems The yield
ing elasticity of flesh. II is Promethean
spark, which kindles life in breasts of stone.
1t adds grace and animation even 10 the works
Of inferior merit, for. Like the moon, it leaves
THAT beautiful Which stRl was so,
Aud makes that which was not"
Groups Of many parts, and statues showing
complicated folds OF drapery or marked ana
tomical Developments, are more improved by
it than smoother and simpler objects. The
eye delights in the numerous contrasts Of light
and shadow which these exhibit-combna-
tions which are intricate and yet form per-
feet whole.
There is no intention Of leading the reader
with our party through the whole of that most
interesting journey. 1t would be but to make
rapid phantas,nageaa pass before his eyes,
OF halls, corridors and staircases, gorgeous
frescnes and mosaics, columns of glittering
marble, baths Of porphyry, sculptured sarco-
phagi, forms draped and nude of warriors,
statesmen, poets, and an the gods Of Olym-
mt nd ON Itxy
examined; but starting up with rapid success
sion in the red torch-liglt, and then hardly
beheld, sinking back again into the darkness
Of night. MeanD lille he is to picture US,
little band Of men and women, in dark coats
and nantes, from word across the water,
pressing with anxious steps in the path indi-
Gated by the advancing fambeau, now and
then clustering before some masterpieces Of
antiquity, while the cicegoae pronounces its
name in sonorous Italian, and we exchange
our admiration by few short words, though
ottener on the part of our fairer portion by
SIMPLE looks most eloquently beautiful, as
they are revealed by the sudden turning of the
torch.
We passed some time in the Nuovo Brac-
clio, that magnificent hall added by Plus
VII, with its columns of cippoline marble,
jaime antique and black Egyptian granite.
Here were the Demosthenes, SO full of sim.
pie dignity, and the Minerva Medica, of which
the drapery is among the best in the collec-
ton. 1t was the symbolic statue of the Nile,
however, which most delighted US here
This had strange, fantastic beauly,to which
the light was well adapted. Imagine a CO.
lossal river-god recumbent, with majestic
though benevolent countenance, beset on all
sides by troop of infants, who climb about
his huge body and limbs in all the unaffected
grace Of childish sport. Fancy The conras.
between his mike repose and their charm
Ing playfulness-he seemed 10 have been
stretched forth thus in solemn quiet from I'M
known antiquity, musinu upon the times be-