New-York tribune., 1870-08-08
pressed with the descriptions of the beauty OF 'no

finer types of humanity than the squahd
and repulsiye men and women that compose
the populace of Rome. was told by those who are
familiar with the city from long residence, to whom
had binted the slightest sense of disappointment,
that the Winter was not the season for the bestoo
ing people to make their appearance in the streets
but that with the return of Spring they would show
themselves as gay and beautiful ms the roses and
laurels in the gardens of Monte Pincio. Upon a
second visit, however, in the month of April, did
not notice any very striking improvement in the
splendor of the flowers or the physiognomy of the
people. The principal exception to the prevailing
ugliness that l remarked, was little hunchbacked
beggar girl, about twelve years old. who frequented
the common resort of strangers in the Piazza di
Spagna and the adjacent streets. She was scarcely
than three feet high, thoughshe was stout and
large for her age. She went crutches and
her person was q mass of defOrmity. But her
face had the traditional Roman expression OF sweet
ness and dignity. Her coal-black hair adorned
forehead of marble whiteness. Her large lustrous
eyes diffused brilliant light over her pallid fea-
tuIes- There trace of suffering or discomfort
on her countenance, nor, on the other hand, was
there any sign of the natural gayety of childhood
Her face was wOmanly, with serene cOmposure
beyond her years. bright smile occasionally re-
lieved the gravity of her features, but they soon
subsided into the classical repose of sculpture Her
address was urgent, but not impOrtunate. There
was beseeching earnestness in her look, which
spoke louder than words but she quite free from
the vulgar arts of the ordinary beggar Her nature
which shone through her deformity and her rags,
gave its "own excuse for being" and the little aims
with which yea rewarded it, were accepted with an
air. if she impaired rather than received favor.
During the session of the Council. the Roman
were prohibited from standing in certain parts of
the city, only prescribed number were allowed to
solicit charity in public, and the visitor, accordingly
was relieved to some extent, of the intolerable nu
sance of their appeals The Papal court wished to
exhibit the fair city" of St. Peter in favorable
light possible to the hosts of strangers who had
come from the ends of the earth witness the grand
sOlemnities- But beggary has too deep root IN
Rome to be expelled entirely from her streets No
honor is paid to labor; every scheme is invented to
get money without the exercise of regular industry
and troop of parasites supported at the expense
of the public whose example is penicious to honest
toll Even the children of persons i'll decent circum-
stances brought up to beg at certain seasons OF
the year, and they hold out their hands to
the passers by without the fantest sense of shame
In the month of May, which is devoted especially to
the honor of the Virgin, you may see small altars
a white cloth, in which rs placed an image of the
Blessed Mary, lamp is lighted before the altar,
which is adorned with flowers, and several children,
usually little girls sit there from morning till night
demanding trihe in money of every that passes
by. The Capuchin monks who are among the most
sturday beggars in Rome, afford a curious study not
only to the artist but to the amateur of original ex
hibitiOns of human nature One of these pious
brothers stationed himself every morning at the door
of nv hotel. He was man of stalwart frame his
high forehead gave certain nobeness to
his face, and in spite of his soiled gar
ments and bare feet. his presence
was not without kind OF dignity
I never heard him speak unless he was first adj
dressed and then he replied with courteous brevity
He did not present his hand for aims, but gratefully
received the trile you bestowed on him from com
passion or curiosity. He belonged to the great Ca
puehin convent which is celebrated among the re-
6qrious houses of Rome and which furnished Haw-
thorne the idea of his terrific character of the monk
in the Marble Faun." Except in costume and place
of abode however, my modest beggar bore no resem-
biance to that powerful creation. Let me observe,
in passing that the descriptions OF Roman lie III
Hawthornes marvellous story are as remarkable Tor
their fidelity for their dramatic effect No proslc
gude-book is exact in its details OF EXHIBITS so
true picture of local The somber imagina-
ton of the author doubtless gave too dark color
ing TO his exhibitions of passion but the scrupulous
accuracy with which he reproduces the familiar ex-
terna features of the Eternal City, attests alike s
conscientOusness a writer, and his skill as an
artist.
While the beggars of Rome, to a great extent.
eniov the protection of the Papal Government and
exercise their calling under the sanctions of religion,
a painful contrast is presented in the treatment of
tbarc oft latlOQ
Until within a recent period, they have been the
subjects of the most oppressive restrictions The
proverbial inhosptaity of European Christian gov
ernments toward this long suffering race has been
exercised in an aggravated form beneath the shadow
of the Vatican The quarter in which they reside
presents no attractions to the foreign tourist,
but is well worthy of a visit from those
who are curious in social anomalies Although
they count but comparatively small portion OF the
population being less than GOO in number their
concentration and their unity make them remark
able feature in the external aspect of Rome. The
Ghetto as their place of abode is called, from an
Arabic word, signifying "naIrowness,' ls coiiec-
ton of close and dirty streets in an obscure part OF
the city. 1t is the locality bordering on the
Tiber. which was occupied by the Jews in the times
of classical antiquity The inhabitants trace their
origin in o direct line to the captives who were
brought by Titus to Rome after the destruction OF
Jerusalem by his victorious egions. Since the ac-
cession of Pho Mono their Liberties have been con-
siderably enlarged the chains which were formerly
extended before the gates to prevent access to the
Ghetto after sunset ha9e been removed, and the
Jews have the nominal privilege of living i'll other
parts the city and engaging in the ordinary pursuits
of business at their own pleasure. But as matter
of fact they are the subjects Of so much 0DlOJuy
and reproach from the Catholic inhabitants, that
they prefer heTding together in their own dismal To-
caltY. You will find them at all hours of the day,
fha HriV fnHn
in the street which affords scarcely light than
the inside of their cherries dwellings, and showing
every symptom of wretchedness and care. They
surrounded with heaps of miscellaneous rubbish.
Piles of old clothes Of every conceivable color and