Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-07-19
sIzetohes of European Travel---No. 4.
ROME. Nav 1855.


of Rome. Cerbara Feste, as they term 1t, is usu
eIlv held ON the 1st day of May. But on the frs
- tbis MAY II rained and on the second and OF
tbo third TRAINED, and so the Feste was adjourn
I'd from dav to day, until the auguries being ia
vorable and their bottled Impotence being inca
pable of longer retention, it was irrevocaby an
nounced for the 5th. Having a strong desire q
witness all the soemnities of this OCCASION ah'
taking advantage of my acquaintance with some
artists. was regularly enrolled Zach member
has to signify beforehand what part he will take
in the procession; whether on foot, in the saddle
nr ON wheels. When it was announced to me
that nv name was received and that was ''down
fSr an ass" felt like asking if they meant to be
personal The day proved the lovellest IN the
world The first rendezvous was at Porte Sala
"a n which / walked. When | arrived there
tbe committee on donkies stated that the festival
had heen so many times adjourned, that their
owners had neglected to send as many animals
ma were ordered, and the supply was short. l
1yoe ouite content to walk on with the many who
bod taken that method from choice, and was push
inc nv wav among the delightful villas of the
suburbs. when the carriagei in which A. was, over
took me. and had luckily spare seat. We pas
sed n green hill on the lett where once stood the
oncinnt Autemna, one of the Sabine cities that
msod to supply the Romans with wives. Moth
Enc, of all that was once there now remains visl-
HE The oxen were pasturing on the CITADEL
Thence we rapidly descended into large and
beautiful plain, the scene OF many deadly strug-
rrIos between the early Romans and Sabines, and
their allies 1t was after a victory on this spot
that Tullius Hostillius gave the fatal command
70 raze Alba Tonga to the ground. Here also
Hannibal encamped. We were to rendezvous
about two miles from the walls of Rome at a SOL
;torv old tower lust across the POnte SAHARA, a
nry ancient bridge over the Arnio, near its iunc-
ZION with the Tber While the molly groups
were collecting and becoming acquainted with
o,ch other through their various DISCUSSES and
all were in the highest spirits, there strange
noise from universal dOnkeydom hitched along
the sides of the fences, and looking round, we
bcheld these stad animals performing the most
fantastic evoutions, rearing, pitching rolling in
ground and lofty tumbling, with brayings extern.
9craneousv interminged. At first it was sim.
nlv amusing; but when we saw that one of them
fastened bv the side of hive of bees had timed
il over. and that the whole air was filling with
these angry disputants, we were fain to leave oul
fine laryhing. All that could break away broke
and run. A spirited horse that could not break
his fastening seemed absolutely frantic with pain
The bees soon turned their attention to the squad
of bipcds also, and soon the stampede became
general There was the Grand Turk, with bee
in his unmcntionables, acting any way bnt dig
niied Mephistophiles Dire :sed wholly in red
tights, whisked about with strange vitality
and if Cupid had now made his complaint to We
nus that bee had stung him, it would surely
have been no humbug Some brave fellows soon
ran IN and cut the fastenings to the animals, but
instead of running away, they were fain to lie
down and roll upon the grass, and had at last al
most to be killed with blows to save their lives
Adirgc from tile band soon solemnizcd the nerve.
of the bees, and our arrangements were hastily
completed Each member received his medal
and badge, and tin wine cup. Breakfast consist
ing of one slice of bread, and one cold boiled era
in one hand and as much wine as You liked il
the other, was soon dispatched. Then the host
was marshallcd. First came the music, then the
President, seated under a fantastic awning in
cart, well trimmed with leaves and flowers, anC
drawn by fine pair of dove cOlorcd Campaigns
oxen, with heads and necAs trimmed also witt
flowers and their majestic horns gided with gold
Then followed the tootmen, then the donlles ant
their riders, then BaccIrus in his car then horse
men and after them members in carriages.
Very few houses were visible The dcsolateC
buildings of the villa Spada lay on our right
where Nero, disburthcning the earth of his pres
cuce. slew himself. Through this fertile and 70
mantle valley, once tccming with inhabitants
now unpcoPled and silent as the Sabbath, in the
DELICIOUS air Of bright Italian May morning, the
tall meadow grasses waving in the light wind
the Sabine mountains on our right aud Soractt
rn front, this motley crew slowly pursued its way
And motley enough it was. MYTHS and poetic
legends took form and substance, and were
strangely intcrminglrd. Old Silenus rode chccl
by jowl with Canterbury Pilgrim, and Meph
istophilcS chucled with rosy Ganymcde Mann
OF the costumes and ci1Tac CTS were noticeable
but perhaps the Devil was as observable rs any
The intense fcrccncSs of the red in which he wa,
wholly clothed, head, horns and tail, hands anC
feet, his long, pointed timber claws, the gilt, fire
breathing dragon mounted upon his skull til,
red baton, with cards on one side and dice on the
other, made him look demonac, and when b.
chance in his ubiquitous services during the da,
mounted ON furious charger, he dashed by VOL
brandIshing in his hands a real serpent, Twin,
or but Just dead YOU thought by a very pardon
able mistake, it was the very Devil himself
Ganymcde was tastcfulv dressed. In the frs
place he had great personal beauty; ewes so Ii
quid that You forgot the wine he poured. On hi
head he a finely shaped flask or dcm;iahI
as a cap, stained an cXquisit wine color, wount
round nearly to its neck with the usual VIM
straw, and cncirclcd with great blooming rose
and poppicS. 1t was indeed Il very handsom
ornament. His white dress WAS embroidered wit
the vine and grape. Cool lily leaves hung from
his shoulders. But must not weary YOU wit
too great detail.
The procession halted at beautiful spot, abou
five or six miles from Rome where the road frs
strikes the Tibcr on the left, and on the right ar
a number of rocky heights disposed in a SCmi-cil
Gle around pleasant valley with little ravin
threading its centre, opening ont upon the river
This valley was the arena. About half way u
the hill, on the south side is plateau. moStl
shaded from the sun by the high rocks above il
and gently descending by grass grown s!op
into the green valley below. Over this plateau
curtains were extended, and on its green and sha
ded grass the Artists refreshed themselves. TIL;
is the spot where once stood the ancient Fidenac
the recital of whose brave but UnavaiEnG Strug
giles against the rising power Of Rome, moves Il
oven i'll the biased pages Of Livy. But it is al
over now. Victor and vanquished have bee
quiet i'll their graves twentv-threc hundred year
and avcnging Nemesis has long since ovcrtakc
Implying Rome.
After little relaxation. the trumpetS soundc
tor the games to begin. On the overlooking hi
side, the President was seated in state-the goal
were all set, and the Olympic games We're open
ed in form. And first there was a foot race.
seemed ludicrouS to see the stately and turbane
King of Abyssinia, with all his loose drapery, Two
ry and beads, pearl and barbarc gold tiutterin
III the wind, sweating neck and neck with
Yankee looking chap in tights. hatless and coat
less. You may be sure the Yankee won. Meph
IstephIeS was throughout the Judge With musi
and banner he conducted the winner to the Pres
ldcnt The laUrelled Poet. with high foolsca
hat, applaudaa the victor in verse, and crowne
him. ard the President bestowed the invaluabl
prizc-a mock EtruScan pitcher, painted wit
grotesque figures. Then came donkey race
if race that may be called where nothing runs
Il;s was ,,..o;,,iN- l,,1nro,,s T,yput, tllirt