The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-04-25
MarnIfleence Of Ancient Rome.

The following vi'id pen.plcture is
from The Old Roman World, by John
Ford: IL anything more were wanted
10 give ms mn idea Of Roman magnih'
cenco, We would turn our eyes from pub
lie monuments, demoraliEing games and
grand procesHions; we would forget the
statues in brass aud marble which out
numbered the living inhabitants, 80
numerous that one hundred thousand
have been recovered aud still embellish
Italy, and would desceud into the lower
sphere Of material life-to those things
which attest luxury and taste-tO orna-
ments, dresses, sumptuous living and
rich furniture. The art Of working
metals and cutting precious stones sur
passed anything known at the present
day. In the decoration Of houses, IN
social entertainments, IN crockery, the
Romans were remarkable. The mosaics,
signet rings, canoes, bracelets, brOnZes,
chains, vases, conchea, banqueting ta-
bles, chariots, oolored glass, gildint,
mirrors, mattresses, cosmetics, perfumes,
hair dyes, silk robes, lotteries, all at
test great elegance and beauty. The
tables Of thugA root and Delian bronze
were AS expensive as the sideboards of
Spanish walnut, 30 much admired in re-
cen, great exhibitions. Wood and ivory
were carved AS eIquisitely as in Japan
anl China Mirrors we're made Of pol
ished silver. Glass cutters could imi-
tate the colors Of precious stones so well
that the Portland vase from the tomb Of
Alexander Seyeras was long considered
geuine sardonyx. Brass could be
hardened so as 10 cut stone. The pal
ace Of Nero glitteFed with gold and jew
els. His beds we're of silver and his
tables Of gold. Tiberius gave n million
Of sesterces for picture for his bed
room. A banquet dish Of Drusillus
weighted five hundred pounds Of silver.
The cups Of Drusus were Of gold. Tun-
les were embroidered with the figures Of
various animals Sandals were gar
nished with precious stones. Paullna
wore jewels, when she paid visits. val
ned at $500, 900. Drinking cups we're
engraved with scenes from the poets.
Libraries were adorned with busts and
presses Of rare woods. Sofas were in
laid with tortoise shell and covered.with
gorgeous purple. The Roman grandees
rode in gildei chAriots, bathed in mar
ble baths, dined from crystal cups, slept
on beds OF down, reclined on luxurious
couches, wore embroidered robes and
were adorned with precious stones.
They ransacked the earth and the seas
for rare dishes for their bAnquets, and or
namented their houses with carpets
from Babylon. onyx cups from BythiniA,
marble from Numidia, brunzes from
Corinth. statues from Athens-whAteyer,
in short, was precious or rare or curious
in the most distant countries. The luz
uries Of the bath almost exceed belief,
and ON the walls were magnificent fres-
Goes and painting, exhibiting an mex
haustible productiveness in landscape
and NEUROLOGICAL scenes. executed. IN
lively colors.
But these we're not all. The most
amazing wealth and the loftiest taste
went hand in hand. There were "citi-
zen mobiles who Owned whole provinces;
even Paula could call whole city her
own. Rich senator's, IN some cases, we're
proprietors of 200, 900 slaves. Their il"
comes were known 30 be 81, 900 per day
when gold and silver were worth four
times AS much as they are now.