The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-02

which form the basis of geological calcuia'
tions, throw q doubt on all speculations OF
this kind. We had better be content with
the revelations of the Scriptures, in regard
to the creation of the world, aud not trouble
ourselves with doubtful diSpusatiOns of "phi-
losophy, falsely so-called."
l often visit galleries and churches with
out mentioning them. In the COrsini gal
lery are many foe old paintings by Rabens,
Murillo, Salvador Rosa, ard other old mas
ters. There is one in Mosaic, so delicately
done that it requires the closest inspection
to discover the separate pieces. Pope Cor
SIM is sitting in a chair; Cardinal, after
wards Clement the XII, is standing before
him with an open letter, holding in the other
hand an envelope, such as we use at THE
day. To-day l drove to the old Roman
Forum. 1t was very large building, the
foundation only remaining. Ia one end are
the ruins of the Temple of Castor and Pol
lux. The greater part of the marble floor
say two-thirds, or three.fourtbs-is uubro-
Ken; the four rows of broken marble columns
are standing. Through tits the way through
which Roman Generals passed when they
were awarded a triumph. This way is
Aanked on each side by row of columns.
Here julius Caesar stood with his legions
when he returned from the conquest of Gaul,
and, as it soon appeared, of the liberties of
his country. But his triumph was short,
for he soon went down to the grave in blood.
A little to the east, near the Coliseum, was
the large palace of the Caesars; near the
west end of the Forum, a little to the south,
is large church on the site of the great
Temple of Jupiter. Several others stood on
the north side of the Forum. Thence we drove
to Ponte Roche, stopping on the bridge
across the Tber, to see the ruins of the
temple of the same name on its eastern
banks. There is food in the river, which
bears on its turbid waters the debris washed
from its banks. Driving up the Tiber, after
crossing another bridge, We passed church
which stands on the site of st. Pauls "own
hired house." A friend gave an account Of
the ceremony of blessing the lambs, which
he witnessed yesterday. 1t is an annual
custom. A number of priests assisted in
the service Two lambs, pure and white,
adorned with jeweled ornaments, were
brought in with much ceremony, on silken
cushions. They were then prayed over, and
blessed by Cardinal, or Archbishop, then
carried to the Vatican, where they were
killed with due ceremony. The wool is con-
sidered sacred, and is carefully preserved
for the Popes pallium. Poor old man!
must say a word more of the Temple of
Castor and Pollux. The floor, or where the
aoor was, is about four feet higher than the
Roman Forum. Three columns support the
top of the door frame, which is one long
piece of stone, with its superstructure.
This morning 1 went through the subter-
ranean part of the palace of the Caesars
which covered whole square. There are
many arches, cells, and dungeonS-lOng
passages, the principal of which is foored
with mosaic. A small modern building has
busts of Julius Caesar, and Augustus Caesar,
Victor Emanuel, aud Louis Napoleon. The
old palace is now covered with handsome
garden from which there is fne view of a
large portion of the city, and on the south
side view of the suburbs. The walls,
arches, &C., which supported the old palace
are six feet thick. The old gallery "Spala"
has some 6ne old paintings. 0ne of Cain
killing Abel. There is also fine old mar
bic statue of Pompey, now defaced and dis
colOred with the dust of time.
9th. A bright, bracing morning. We
drove out by the Coliseum, and the Church
Giovanni Lateraui, along the Appian way
three miles into the country, passing all the
way ruins of houses probably once in the
city. Yesterday with glad, and thankful
heart preached to them (l'' you that are
at Rome also" Glad, because it is always
pleasant to preach the gOspel-thankful, be
cause my wife had been raised up from
protraeted illness. For this | am indebted,
under God, to the skill of DR., Erhardt whom
can recommend to all who need the SER
vices of kind, attentive and eminent ply
sician. He is German, thoroughly edUca-
ted, speaks English with ease, and has lived
in Rome twenty eight years.
may here speak of the Hotel CaStanzi,
as the best have seen on the continent.
Nothing could exceed the kindness and at
tention of every one connected with the
house, from Mr.. Castanzi himself, down to
the walters, and chamber-maids. We have
Just had beau iful drive-passing the PlnciO
We drove on the Flaminian way; on one
hand are higt precipitOus rocks crowned
with natural eyergreens-across the river Is
the high range of hills crowned with beauti-
full villas. Crossing the river we followed
the Flaminian way under the same hills We
we had seen from the other side, and down
the banks of the Tiber for two miles to the
Vatican, and ST. Peters. This is altogether,
taking its associations into the account, the
finest drive We have had.
Entering the gallery RaspigliOni you pass
through beautiful garden with fountains