The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-05-13

Sites ofMs ancient and fche modern city
the Tibcr-obiects Of interest..tfrst Uteao Of Old
Rome-the Forum and adjacent 6uildiifS-
characterization Capitoline HiN-Iase
uD,S-the Sa5baM-&. Peters ,corShippers
and matSic
(coNcLUDED.)
The next day was fine and we diligently
improved it. With an intelligent guide who
spoke tolerable English, we sailed out at an
early hour. Our first visit was at the Pan
theon, which is one of the finest Of Roman
edi6ces. 1t was built by Agrippa, the friend
and son-in-law of Augustus, in the Campus
Martius; so that it is now some distance with
in the limits of the Modern city. The porlico,
with its sixteen finely proportioned granite
columns, is in very perfect preservation. The
interior, which is most impressive rotunda,
was originally occupied with the finest statues
OF all the deities of the popular theology /;
but the edifice having been consecrated to the
Virgin Mary by Boniface ", it now presents
an array of affairs. cruci6xes and the usual
paseantry of the Romish service. 1t is light
ed from above by circular opening in the
stone roof. The floor is Of porphyry. From
the Pantheon we assembled to the top of the
Capitoline hill. No vestigc of the edifice
that crowned it anciently remains. The sum-
nit is now occupied by the capitol or Senate
House, and two palaces appropriated to the
preservation of works of art both ancient
and modern. From lofty tower we obtain
ed fine panoramic view OF both old and
new Rome at the same time and were thus
enabled to fix definitely in our own minds the
relative position of objects, especially OF the
seven hills. We could also see from thence
to the sites of Tusculum, Alba Tonga, and
other places of interest without the city. and
observe the course of the Hber and the gen.
eral aspect of the Campagna. On descending
we entered the palace of the CONSERVATORY,
which contains beautiful collection OF mod
ern statuary, and the museum which is one of
the richest collections of antiquities in Rome.
Here, among the celebrated pieces, is the dy-
ing gladiator. Here too, as Byron says,
10 Stands the statue that enchants the world -
the Venus of the Capitol. This statue sur
passed so immeasurably all the copies of 1t
which had ever seen, that l sat and looked
at it long in silent wonder. 1t has sweetness
and dignity about it, which all the models
seem to want entirely. Here also is the bronze
well, believed to be the same to which Cicero
refers, that having been struck with lightning,
thus exhibited an apparently molten leg. In
the open space between the palaces, stand the
fine statutes of Castor and Pollux besides
their horses, and the equestrian statue OF
Aurelius in bronze, which Michael Angelo
pronounced the finest in the world When
we had spent some hours on the summit OF
the Capitol we descended the long flight of
steps, an passing around the base OF the hill,
found our wav to the western extremity,
where surrounded by buildings and difficult
of access, we saw what can now be seen OF
the Tarpeian Rock. 1t still presents in one
place precipice of some seyenty-tive feet In
height, and almost exactly perpendicular.-
With this we were satisfied to close the laborS
of this day.
The next day being the Sabbath, we went
in the morning at the the hour OF service to
the Church, of the Holy Apostles This
is fine church, and the audience, or rather
the number of persons coming and gong
was large and respectable in appearance. But
after listening while to the music, which
was not remarkably good, lgrew tired OF what
to me savored SO little of the simplicity and
spirituality of Christian worship, and return
ed to my room, happy that even in the midst
of papal supcr.titions, might obey the pre-
cept, Enter into thy closet and shut the door,
and pray to thy Father who seeth in secret
and claim the promised blessing. Towards
evening walked over to st. Peters alone,
and spent couple of hours in seeing and
hearing. This vast ediice surpaSses all that
one can imagine before seeing it and in an
equal degree all power of description alter
ward. 1t must, think be ranked, in respect
to grandeur and magnicence, as the greatest
of human efforts in the line of architecture ;
and deserves high place on the list of the
"seven wonders Of the world" The proper
tons are so harmonious that it requires no
little time to apprehend the immensely OF the
structure; and with all its vastness as whole
each particular part astonishes by the perfec-
ton and finish of its minutes details. Every
successive survey discovers some fresh wonder
and each, repeated entrance into the lofty nave
deepens the impressions of admiration and
awe. And yet considered as Christian
Church, place of religious worship St