The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-08-10

opens i valve II IT be 4 wind instrument,
or strikes the hammer which plays upon
the wire il 1t should he a strlngcd instru-
ment. made inquiry how they managed
To receive new tunes almost as soon as they
were composed, and | was informed that
they had agents or persons employed tn
transmit the ncw airs as soon aS they were
heard. Very often the first time that we
hear new tune We hear it played upon a
hand organ. Let new tune come out.
and the organ grinder will be sure to cap
turc it. The first time | ever heard that
new and beautiful song, Grandfather S
Clock, it was played upon hand organ,
along the streets of Philadelphia 1t is a
very simple air, but very beautiful, and
represents the old family clock As having
- stopped short, never to go again,
Since the old man died"
1t may be considered a want of good must
cal taste, but confess that these common
street organs have to me peculiar charm
in their music, and especially after | have
visited the place Of their manufacture in
Rome, and have seen with my own eyes
how carefully constructed axe these iustru-
mcuts of sweet sounds
The ruins Of the ancient Forum stand
out bold and distinct in one of the princi-
pal streets Of Rome. | would advise any
person who takes the least interest in them
TO look upon the photographs Of the ruins.
which can he seen in any picture gallery in
this country, aud it will give far better
description and idea of them than | can
give. All that know about the Forum is
that it was formerly the Roman court
house; that Cicero here proclaimed his
Or"ilonS against Catalina and others: that
here the most important trials took place:
that here the foundation of our modern
law was established; that here Caesar re
cclved the honors and applause of the peo-
pie upon his return from his successful
wars, and here also he received the death
thrusts from the hands of the conspiyators,
and here Mark Anthony harangued the
people over the dead body of Caesar, and
worked them up to the verge of fury and
sent them forth 10 murder, kill and burn.
do not know clearly how the Forum was
destroyed. have some knowledge about
II, but fear it may be very inaccurate.
Certain ii is that it is in ruins. Many at
tempts have been made to dig away the
covering earth. but the more the matter
-.
has become the mystery. think there re.
mains three columns entire, showing the
grand magnlticence of the ancient Forum.
Now 1t is melancholy ruin, covered with
dirt and rubbish to the depth of thirty feet,
and only ;:iese straight, tall. marble pillars
standing erect mark its fallen grandeur
IL seems strange that we have 40 authentic
history OF the Forum handed down to is
by the ancient writers, but | have never
been able To come across but mere conjcc-
lures and fabulous stories; neither have We
any reliable history of the destruction of
the building. 1t has evidently been de
stroycd, and the materials carried away,
but by whom, or for what purpose we have
never been accurately Informed.
II is said that Rome is built upon seven
hills This is undoubtedly true, but II
would be very difficult matter for the
modern traveller To point out clearly and
where each particular hill is To-
Gated, as they have been built completely
over and levclcd in the construction OF
streets, so that only I slight elevation or
depression remains of the ancient hills and
valleys. Only small portion of the "au-
rlent wall of lofty Rome" remain. The
walls that surround the city of Rome at
the present day are comparatively modern.
This wall entirely surrounds the city. and
presume is about thirty feet high. \
small strip Of the ancient wall, built some
lime in the reign of Julius Caesar. is still
shown, and from its appearance it would
nave put Al defiance all the battering rams
IN Christcudom.
Let us 60 over the bridge of Saint An.
cello and visit st. Peters. / do not pro.
pose 10 give an extended history of this
H..
Most every one has seen photographs of
he building. and have some idea Of its i'm
meuSe size. Perhaps some may know by
whom it WAS built, and that the copper ball
'way MP on the highest pinnacle, and which
ooks from the groHnd about the size of a
good sized foot ball, will hold twelve good
sized men standing erect. They may also
know that to reach the ball you viii have
/" walk ur an inclined plane within the
lone, and that upon the roof of St Peters
men live i'll houses. are married and given
in marriage, children are born, and grow.
md play upon the roof, and have no desire
10 come down, but have little world all to
themselves on the brick roof Of that great
church. When first saw St Peters |
Was surprised to find it looking SO small.
thought surely it would be great deal
arger, but its immense size was too great
Tor my conception, and after | had been
within its walls for two or three hours, il
commenced to grow and expand
until its grandeur and size passed my
greatest imagination. Just stop and think
for 4 moment. There were sixteen services
held by sixteen different priests at one
lime and on one floor. and in full view of
each other yet they did not disturb each
other in their dcvotious. As soon as you
enter st. Peters. You Will see the dark
bronze image Of ST. Peter sitting on
chair, holding i'll his right hand a ball SUI
mounted with cross, and in the other a
key. Deyout Catholics kiss the toe of this
image, and it is said that it is worn smooth
and bright by the lips of the worshpers.
do not know whether this is true or not,
As did not approach near enough 10 graf.
lty my curiosity, FOR it was surrounded by
4 crowd Of earnest worshipers, and some
mothers would hold up their little ones in
order that they might kiss the toe of the
image. and did not wish to disturb them.
| also had the pleasure of seeing Cardinal
walking through one of the
rooms, unattended, and appeared To be
merely walking around for his own plea
sure. lie was dressed in q cardinal red