American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-11-13
reported for the American Republican,
LECTURE OF
u. MORRISON HATlRIS. les.

y. MORRISON HARRIS. Esq.
SUSPECT" GIimpses Of Re ne, The Palace tss
Forum, and The Church"
On Monday evening asst J. Morriso Har.
rs, Esq, a talented yormg member of the Bar
Of this city, delivered an eloquent an nterest-
ing lecture, before hrge and Intelligent audi
ence, assembled in fac First English Lutheran
Church, tRev. DR., Morris in Lexn!! tor-st
Subjoct-"Glirp ascs OF Rome, the Pal ace the
Forum, and tn. Church"
In attempting to give an oWlinc Of this lee
ture, we hp.i probably fail to afford an idea of
It's beauty At style, manner and natter yet as
1t is toun'Ied upon d personal observation of the
"nperi Al city" during hate visit of the lectu-
rer, Sketch may not be altogether uminterest-
ing to the public,
The eloquent lecturer Justly supposed that
anIong an audience composed of SO much in
ttlligence, there was not one but desired TO vi
sit Rome. It's history is the pride and delight
of all readers. Rome, the great treasure house
of wisdom, her influence has been felt over the
whole world In Il Cincinnatus, the patriot
had a pattern OF virtue; and So, ia physic, Law,
the arts, poetry, SC. The Christian might look
far back in her history, and perceive the light
of Religion dawning upon Paganism. In sculp-
ture and painting, the artist, in his widest
stretch Of imagination, could form no just con-
cepton Of the vastness and beauty Displayed
u her population, though sometimes run
ing into extremes, were ever found, even in
their widest wanderings, an inherent love of
virtue. The cause of the downfall of Rome,
having been so frequently accounted for, he
declined touching; her power had been felt by
all the nations of the earth, and in her dissou-
ton the pioneers of the Cross of Christ achiev-
ed victory over its mercenary opponents. 1t
was difficult to embody in a single lecture the
numerous incidents and scenes Of the traveller.
He described the first "glmpse of the city" in
approaching it, as grand and imposing; the eye
meeting in every direction objects, each in it.
self, speaking volumes-the tomb OF Scipio;
the retreat of Hnanibat; the resting place of Ce-
cllus Metalus; mountains, rivers, the music OF
birds and the odor of flowers; with Rome, in
the distance, her towers, sc.
Rome, he sad could not BIO called beauti-
ful city, as he realised upon entering it. Its
envrons generally present nothing very attrac-
tive to the eye; its streets are remarkably filthy
The principal thoroughfares during the day,
are quiet; bat as evening approaches, they be-
come thronged. Caravans, pedlars, beggars
&c, make up the crowd-the latter, crawling
from their retreat, annoy the passers by till pa.
tience loses its virtue. All sexes and every
grade of people are seen hurrying to some place
of resort, to church, or elsewhere. Rome, as
in all Catholic countries, is remarkable for the
devoutness Of its popuacc to their religious in
stitutons, in proportion to the degree of igno-
rance among the people. He gave daguerreo-
type sketch of the fashionable and more promi-
nent objects in the way of travellers; here a
coach conveying Cardinal on visit to the
Pope-a hot and unseemly vehicle; there a
dashing coach, bearing an English nobleman
and, among others, an old hack, in which were
seated some Yankees, with caps on their heads
and collars turned over their jackets, looking
as fearless and happy as though they were
"lords Of all they surveyed" He drew also a
picture of lady, who, with grace in her per
son, dignity in her mieD, possessed features sur
passing the power ofart; and another sketch
the same sex, though true to nature, yet not sc
fair.
A view of public square, with its monu
ments and fountains, crowded with people, at
tracted attention. Persons, after business, witt
or without their families, and all classes anc
sexes, forming motley mass of human beings
repair thither; and priests, as they press along
pause to bless them as they kneei in their path
Pilgrims to the Holy Land; Monks, filling the
air with the perfume of their garcky breaths
mountaneers-models for the sculptures; pea
SAINT girls, with fancy bonnets, short gowns, rec
stockings, and brown cheeks; AID pedars anc
beggars, make up the picture OF the moving
panorama thus presented to view
There is one remarkable feature in the Ro-
man character that attracts the observation o
the attentive traveller, to DO found in tho fact
their melancholy reservedness, their cold dig
nifty, and apparently bowed spirit; giving The
impression that thoughts of what Rome was
and is now, casts a shadow over their spirits
It is only on grand carnival days that they OK
hibit any other disposition, or participate ii
mirth.
"The Palace" presents rare attractions-iht
building itself is magnificent, aud displays tbs