Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-09-13
LETTER FROM EUROPE
ITO. XVI.
ROME, March 90. 1860.

having visited the city of Ilsoli
eighteen miles distant. Tivoll, Ms
you must remember, is the celebrated
Thur Of the ancien.s; a ci'y re-
nowned in history and which -four
ished, at least five hundred years
before the building Of Rome, and
was an early and powerful rival Of
the eternal city. 1t possesses great
natural beauty of scenery, and many
interesting remains of its ancient
grandeur. The river ANIo passes
here partly through the mountains
10 different places, after which it
pours over rocks and preclpices,
through tunnels and gTottoes, forming
a series of cascades and water falls.
prese nting one Of the most romantic
and mysterious scenes in nature
We trayersed many ciIcuitous, un-
der-groUnd passages TO srrive at these
'grotloes. Never have | seen places
that seemed 30 perfectly BETTING
the residence Of 1ujJifs, sgbits and
.pirItS of lie ar. Te re double the
romance and associate our memories
with The spot, We here opened our
lsrjer and enjoyed most welcome
repast 10 the midst of whisiling
winds and the roar Of rushing waters.
in the half subterraneau abode. with
the remains Of The Temples Of Yesta,
and of the Sibyl, Immediately over our
beads.
The most interesting Objects about
Tivoli are tie extensive ruins Of the
: VILLA ADRIAyA or HADaIAN's VILLA;
and, in fact, nothing in all Italy can
compare Hith them Ii is hardly
posi- BILE to conceive it's extent and
mhguiGcence as it existed In the tins
Of that Emperor. 1t was built du-
ring the second century Of cur Era
b. Hadlsn. himself. No wills, 10
ROYAL residence of modern times
can compare With it in extent aud
outlay Of treasure for the rich orna-
ments, works Ol art, sculpture and
mosaics accumulated here from nll
parts Of the Roman Empire, which
now enrich msnf Of the mu5eums,
churches and many OF the private
palaces OF Europe. 1t is said to /
have covered an area Of ten miles
in circumference, and certainly must
have been more like a city than a !
villa. 1t conisined several theatres, |
circuses, ly ceums, academies, exten-
sive baths, Greek and Latin libraries.
barracks for the Imperial guards,
Eysian fields and nume ,eus temples !
to Haa'hen Disinilics. We wsre
about two hours walking over its
principal ruins and viewing the stu
penduus relic of What WAS the grand. |
est edifos and most imposing E.bric
ever erected by the vanity and am
bition Of individual separation. The
vicinity around Tivoli, is rendered
particularly beautiful at this season
Of the year by the extensive plan
tations OF olive groves extending
in every direction. Their foliage of
a rich deep green color, and heavy
branching tops moving to the gentle
breezes iu the soft mild climate OF
an Italian spring, casting delightful
and inviting shade through the long
avenues, adds greatly to the pleasure
of stroll among the bills snd yallies
of this renowned and classical. re-
gion of the sucient city of Thur.
After passing tba night at Tiyoli
We left. yesterday, to visit some
places in the vicinity, sfier which.
Tor a change, concluded 10 walk back
to Rome where we arrived about
twilight after Sd interesting days
rambIe of about thirty miles. A
few words respecting the country
between here and Tivoli. Ii is nat.
nralIy fine, productive and beautifully
unduIatiug; but bear, marks Of the
same curse that blasted the prosper
ity OF the whole Of Itsly-sw wealthy
and pampered arisiocracy. There is
not single respectable house, resi-.
dence or Improvement, the entire
distance OF eighteen miles from here
to Tivoli; and no sign Of agricultural
occupation, except, perhaps, few
patches Of grain, and occasional pas
lures for sheep, cattle or goats, oc.
supied by the most suspicious look,