The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-11

OF rock irregularly shaped and artfully
placed one upon another-in short, the
solldlty of these erections, and the ele-
waited site which they occupy, seem like
the work of the elder race of mankind,
terrified at the tremendous catastrophe
Of the deluge. Aqueducts, erected pro.
baby at the same time, carried to Fie-
sole the waters of Mt Reggi, several
miles distant, and although they were
broken down in the time of Caesar, as
Villain tells US, yet their remains, de-
spersed along the country, resemble real
rocks in magnitude, and may be cor
founded with them from their rude and
savage appearance Fiesole was one of
the twelve centres of Etruria, and praised
by the ancients for the serenity of its
atmosphere, and the salubrity of its baths,
which were reported to be cure for
many maladies. This city had the glory
of resisting and testing the greatest cour-
age of Rome. Livy and other Roman
authors bear testimony to the formidable
character of the inhabitants of Fiesole
and the rest of Etruria All the forces
of Rome were employed at various times
to subdue them, and several dictators
were created for the purpose of allaying
the fear which this people inspired
When the conspiracy of Cataline was
unmasked by Cicero, this seditious citi-
zen, compelled to seek safety in flight
escaped from Rome, and with his fellow
conspirators, took refuge in Fiesole, the
only city which, by its formidable situa-
ton and the courage of its inhabitants,
was capable of resisting the Roman arms
Cataline, indeed, did not hesitate to haz-
ard an engagement with the consul Caius
Antonius the result of which was a doubt
ful victory, although the brave citizens
OF Flesole were few in number and almost
without arms. The fortune of Rome at
length triumphed, when the leaders of
the Etrurian army, mortally wounded
tell upon the mangled heaps of their SOL
dlers bodies. The victory was, however
dearly purchased, and at Rome smiles
struggled with tears when the news of
the battle arrived there.
After a varied history, Fiesole was
ultimately y subjugated and absorbed by
Florence. Her most distinguished fam
lies moved to the Tuscan capital. The
destruction of the city also furnished
Florence with innumerable columns and
materials for the erec, on of beautiful
edlfces, and many statues and sculptured
marbles were carried away to adorn her
temples and palaces. 1t is very probable
that the four columns which SUPPORT the
arched roof of tne gallery of the Bap-
tistery are the remains of some monu
ment in Fiesole.
Fiesole was one of the first cities, after
rub,
She has produced great number of phil
osophers and literary men, besides artists
celebrated both in culpture and paint
ing. Conspicuous among the last was
The Artist Fra Angelica,
who painted angels with the same graphic
facility with which Plato described pure
ideas. He was mystic as well as paint
er, in whose very retina was painted
cherublm, and from whose hands no
Christ and no Virgin ever came without
prayers and tears-truly sublime monk
who painted on his knees and who has
left noble remembrance in the immense
fresco which covers almost all the west
ern gallery of the Campo Santo at Pisa.
The city of Fiesole contains most re-
markable antiquities, colossal fragments
OF old Etruscan walls, and vestiees of
aqueducts aud vast subterranean cham
bers. 1t may say with pride" here rose
my high towers and my impregnable
walls-there lay the baths of Gataline-
yonder were the temples of Jupiter Full
m1nalls, and of Mars-in that place stood
the college of Augurs and the palace Of
the ancient kings" and even yet the rel
les which remain of these indestructible
walls inspire sensations of awe and vener-
alton. On the ruins of the temple of in
plter there now rises a church over which
the cross Is crescent and within which
the religious ceremonies of the Nazarine
are performed, and the college of the Au-
gurs is replaced by ar academy where,
instead Of the superstitious art Of reading
the future, the providence of the ALI
powerful God is taught. The bathing
waters, formerly so celebrated, still run
amidst the most delightful villas and
gardens Of Tuscany. These beautiful re-
treats no longer re-echo the sound of the
war-hke trumpet but the accents Of iov.
and Fiesole has exchanged the splendorof
military proves, for the more durable
glory of peace and the arts. L.M.C.
Letter from Rochester, N. Y.
Presbyterian Progresstveness Christ