The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-01

capital. Treferrlng the charms OF prl-
vate life to the vanity of grandeur, he re-
lected the first Offices of State, offered to
hln by the most powerful ruler on earth,
who was also his most intimate friend
In his Tiburtine villa, Augustus frequent
ly visited him, and in the house of Nae
cenas the Emperor sought consolation
under the Affections of sickness. Tucca
and Varus, both poets and courtiers of
Augustus, We're the persons who, at the
recommendation of Virgil, introduced
Horace to the friendship of their patron,
M@cenas The good offices of the latter
were extremely Important to the illus
trious poet, who had embraced the party
OF Brutus and Cassius, for which offence
his new patron procured him the pardon
OF his sovereign. Horace made use of
his favor with these great men. to rees-
tabllsh his fortunes, and Mecenas gave
him small villa, built on the banks of
the Anio In this retreat, in the neigh
borhood of that of Catullus, freed from
all his cares, andain the enjoyment of a
voluptuous repose, he composed his i'm
mortal poems and celebrated the praises
OF his benefactors. We arrived at
The Dwelling of Horace
by very picturesque path, shaded by
olive and chestnut trees, laurels and
vines. This is no doubt the famous
It6mmt t4culotna, where in the time OF
Phny, three immense chestnut trees were
seen older than Tiburnus who founded
the city. The house of Horace was not
far off. We perceived through the trees
little convent, built of the remains OF
other structures, in a most picturesque
situation. We had no further to 90. We
stood at last on the lands of the poet of
our boyhood, and the friend of Macenas !
On the right bank of the river, this villa,
like that of Catullus, might be called
Sablna or Tlburtina, accor ling to what
Suetonlus says, who places it in the
neighborhood of the sacred forests of
Thur. Though Horace boasted of his
poverty; it was only relative. He pos
sessed house in Rome and rents and
stewards and slaves. He did not con-
slider himself rich, but enjoyed that au-
Tea n1edaocrataS-that happy competence
equally removed from riches and from
poverty, and he did not therefore excite
the envy of his opulent neighbors. The
steep site which the house occupies rroves
that 1T was not spacious 4 garden, sns
tanned by terraces, stretched nearly to
the borders of the river, and a wood of
chestnut trees, which still exist, formed
shelter against the burning heat of
noon, and formed walk which might be
compared, said the poet, to the delicious
groves of Tarentum. In short this charm
ing retreat, where all the pleasures of the
country and the charms of the studv
could be engaged in peace, might we'll
satisfy the wishes of heart attached to
solitude and to literature Bnt all at
orce we beheld a spectacle which en-
ohanted us and even made us forget
Horace, his house, and his verses. 1t was
The CascatelIes!
Ancient Notifications with embattled tow
ers, which rival in height the spires of
Christian churches and the edifces of
Tivoh, are disposed with sort of pic
turesque symmetry on the table summit
of a vast activity, whose sides, though
steep, are covered with verdure. On
every little shelf where the industry of
man could convey a few baskets full of
earth are seen fruitful trees and vines
even the peaks of the rocks are clothed
with moss and tufts, the verdue of which
is nourished by the humid mists which
perpetually surround them The streams,
flowing from all sides, are converted to
useful purposes in turning mills for the
manufacture OF copper, iron, and other
articles. After performing these services
of utility, they escape from the midst of
the houses and the trees, and embellish
the country with the effect of their in
Vulnerable falls, producing those delight.
full CaScoteILeS, which form the delight of
the traveller and the despair of the land
scape- painter. Now they glide from rock
to rock like silver threads-now thev
separate themselves and shine like plates
Of metal. Description is impossible
Imagine river springing from many
fountains and uniting itself in one bed,
and dashing headlong in columns of un-
equal size, which unite as they descend
and ere they reach the bottom from a
cloud of sparkling spray-the waters
then break upon pyramidal rocks re-
sem6hng In their colors that beautiful
mineral malachite-there the vapors. un-
dergoing metamorphosis, are converted
into liquid state, and exudnp through
the rocks, burst forth, and surmonntiPo
every obstacle which opposed their course
they gain their level in less rugged
channel, and with it their former trans
parency and beauty. Proceeding, we
left on our right the
r.