Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-04-04

station. Life" she urged, lis over;
naught remains but TO make de-
cent exit from it." MesSaIina took
dagger from the hands of one of
the soldiers, pressed it against her
throat, but lacked the nerve to give
the thrust, and it was by
A BLOW OF THE CENTURIAN''s SWORD
against the dagger that the horrid
deed was finally accomplished. The
death of ASiaticus was avenged on
the very spot.
For further particulars of this
episode of the Pincian Villa, the
reader is referred to the lively and
graphic history of Rome by Meri-
vale. .-....
Before the people of Italy, with
the enthusiastic sanction of four
fifths of the citizens of Rome, took
possession in 1870, and made 1t the
Capital of the reunited nation, the
Pope and his Cardinals were in the
habit of driving daily through
the Pincian Park, and down the
winding way to the exit through
the PopoIol Gate, aud up through
the beautiful and extensive grounds
of the villa Borghese, beyond the
wall. But since the King of Italy
and his court have fixed their Off
cial residence OH the Quirinal Hill,
adjoining, the Holy Father has new
er set his foot within the precincts
of this lovely park, and depriveS |
himself of the charming panoramic
view there afforded, and the pure
air there breathed. He steadfastly
presists in considering himself a
"prisoner" of the ''asurper," and re-
tired across the Tiber, and confines
himself to the wall and gardens of
the Vatican. No persuasion, gentle
arts, or tender solicitation ON the
part of the King or his Court can
induce the stubborn old man to take
the air of the Pincian Park, which
owes its beautiful decorations to
himself. He presists in proclaiming
himself lsE ralEf ..
i "a CLOSE PRISONER OF sTATB,"
and refuses to come out of his ''jail;"
which by the way, contains 10000
apartments, and some of the most
magnificent halls and chambers in
Europe, and the finest collections of
paintings, statuary, brOnzes, bas-
reliefs, and ancient curiosities in ex-
istence, as well as the oldest copy
of the New Testament in the world.
Whatever he may be in other re
spects, the Holy Father, is ''infalli-
able'' in his resolution to continue
to be "prisoner," confined to his
little chapel called st. Peters, and
his small abode called the Vatican.
, From the point of view on the
Pinican Hill, only modern Rome can
be seen. The present city fills the
northern third of the space inclosed
by the old wall of Marcus Aurelius,
built A. D., l70; and it is only from
the tower of the Court House on
Hill that one can look
down and see all around in every
and take in the whole
area and compass of the ancient
city. From its great height and
central position, one can see and
study Rome, its environs and ruins,
and obtain a clearer comprehension
of them than from any other spot
The Capitoline is $50 feet above the
Hber, the tower is 250 feet above
the hill, which gives the observer a
commanding altitude. Up to the
top of this tower, by narrow and
difficult stairway I climbed with
map and glass, and for several hours,
on sort of balcony, was absorbed
in contemplation and retrospectien.
To my mind there is no scene in the
world
MORE IMPRESSIVE OR AwE-INsPIRING
than that obtained from this elevated
perch. 1t is not so much the magni-
ficent panorama which impresses
one, as the sight of the vast dead
city, the old capital of the earth for
a thousand years. Its wonderful
and memories rush on
the brain like a torrent, and the eff
feet is nearly overpowering. Behind
one lies the living city-the seat Of
Christianity for eighteen long centu-
ries, and the Capital of the oldest and
greatest of Christian denominations.
At ones feet is Capitoline Hill, on
which Rome was founded $500
years ago. On its top stood for cen
turies the great Temple of Jupiter,
a part of the foundation walls of
which still remain and are visible;
and many of its magnificent marble
columns and great, granite pillars
may now be found doing duty in the
churches and cathedrals of the city.
Down there, within stone's-throw
distance, is the spot where stood the
house in which
ST. PAUL
was imprisoned far two years, await
ing his trial, and where he preached, |
and exhorted, and argued with Jew i
and Gentle, converting few of the |
former, but thousands of the latter. \
We read in Acts, that "When we \
came to Rome, the Centurian deliv- !
cred the prisoners to the Captain of \
the Guard; but Paul was suffered to /
remain by himself with soldier that 4
kent him.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in |
his own hired house, and received all |
that came unto him, preaching the
Kingdom of God, and teaching those |.
things which concern the Lord Jesus
Christ, with all confidence, no man !
him." The Roman Jews /
wished to hear from Paul himself, a /
statement of his religious sentiments \
and on what facts his faith was
founded-adding that the new Chris
tian sect was everywhere spoken |
against. A day was fixed at his pri- 4
vate lodging. They came in great |
and we read that the con-
troversy lasted from morning until
evening. He presented every argu-
ment in his power, and refuted all !
But in the end, they I,
went away uneonvinced. Even TIE