The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-03-19
For rHE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
BY RAY. PRYTON HARRISON.

| HOTEL CASTANZIE. NOME, Dec. ~, -
This part of the outskirts of the city is
almost covered with ruins Ga very high
eminence from which there is fine view of
tl.J city, and its surroundings, is one of the
most famous catacombs. We descended into
it deep under ground and wOun~- about
through its narrow cavernous passages for
more than half an hour, each with lighted
taper, our guide leading. the way. All alOr g
| the sides are recesses once filed with the
dead bodies of martyred Christians of whom
it is said one hundred and seventy thousand
are buried here. There are some deep wells
or dungeons; to what use they we're put do
not know. Among the tombs are two COW
cred with glass, one of them is said to be
the tomb of the first bishop of Rome, the
skeleton remains, The other looks like a
mummy. This is said TO be Of some emi-
uent saint. There were formerly many in
scriptions in the catacombs. The Only ones
we saw were of Daniel in the lions den; one
on the tomb of Saint Cecilia; one of Corne-
lius, large marble slab fixed on a pivot in
the middle, which turned so as to exhibit
both sides; one on the tomb of st. Sebastian
and the two tOmbs already described. There
may have been others which have been eaten
out by the tooth of time. There are many
other catacOmbs around the city, but we are
satisfied with the inspection of one particu-
arly celebrated, having no desire to be en-
tOmbed again in these subterrauean caverns.
We went again to the Plncio which discovers
new beauties on each successive visit. We
heard, as we had done before, fac band of
music which would have rayished the ear of
any lover of music.
Dec 9th This is beautiful spring morn
ing; the atmosphere like that of fresh
May morning at home oranges are hanging
over high walls of gardens, aud every thing
arrayed in the garb of spring. In drive
outside of the city we saw many beautiful
villas with their spacious gardens filled with
fruits, and ornamental trees aud shrubbery.
Ga the Capitoline Hill is an old palace on a
wide open space and opposite a painting gal,
lery. In front is large equestrian statue
of Augustus Caesar This palace is filed
with statuary, much of it very fine. Among
many superior works Of art are those of the
Dying Gladiator celebrated by Byron, and
"Yenus of the Capitoline Hill" These
are perfectly preserved, Venus especially
looking as smooth as if it were work of
modern times. There is a statue of Augustus
Cesar, busts of Brutus, julius Caesar and
Others. Aad many fine statues each of which
is entitled 10 admiration. la tie Museum,
or gallery are many fac old paintings. One
of Romulus and Remus, one cf whom is
sucking the wolf. But in my judgment,
the finest of all these paintings is that of
Leo X in full canOnicals, the scarlet silk of
his mantle shining like the real manufacture.
lie looks like man who felt that the world
was under his command. Going down from
the area between these palaces which is very
elevated, is flight of stone steps, at the
head of which stand two colossal equestrian
statues-the men astride Of the horses as
gigantic as the animals.
At the foot of the Capitoline Hill is the
Forum, of which nothing is left but the
foundation; but you trace the different
apartments. The floor of the grand au-
dience room is unbroken with its marble
pavement entire. Here, perhaps, Cicero de-
livered his celebrated Grafton against Cata-
line, and here too Mark Anthony may have
spoken his insidious eulogium over Caesars
body. l may say here that to d.y We saw
the statue of Peter, keys in hand on the top
of the Trajan column. The palace of Vic
tor Emmanuel stands on a hill in front of
an open square. The palace of the Pope is
at right angles to the other on the same
square. The former encompasses an obloug
area with colonades all round, We looked
through interstlces of an iron gate into the
beautiful garden. This is all we could see,
as we were not admitted into the palace
The Pope's palace has a very handsome
front; We were not admitted into the area
For about an hour we heard very fac vocal
music from a numerous choir, and a great
many priests, accompanied by soft, sweet
music from variety Of Instruments A
lady acquainted with such music, said it was
like an opera. l certainly never heard bet
ter music. There were a great number of
priests, the central figure of half dozen
before the altar was gorgeouSly dressed in
shining white silk mantle, luminous with gol-
den stars, and tall cooked hat. On the
altar we're six very tall candles, which gave
effect to a fne painting of the Saviour, with
the Virgin Mary on one side, and the Apos-
tie John on the other. This was in the
church of Giovanni Laterani, much the hand
soonest church We have seen except st. Pc
ter's. It's interior is really magnificent So
ends this days sightseeing. 1t was a fete
day, and we could not get into any other
buildings, except churches that were open
for worshippers. The crowd in the Later
ami was sitting. suppose there were
thousands, all standing and pressed together.
2S:h. Visited the gallery de ColOnna;
nothing particularly worthy of notice
Went TO the Mosaic mandatory. Wit