The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-06-22
PICTURES OF ROME.

WiLLOoonDt VT ahh SLHoo VI -
So far back in the remote ages of
antiquity that the memory of man,
preserving the incident, has failed to
preserve the date, group of ancients
gathered on an Italian hillside to
mark by furrow the boundaries of a
city which they proposed to build.
Every detail of the required cere-
mony, at once civil and religious was
observed with care. A lucky day
was chosen. The pillow was Of bronze.
1t was drawn by he;fer and
bullock yoked together. The heifer
was placed on the inner side. The
earth was thrown inward and at every
point where q gate was to be erected,
the pillow was lifted and carried over
the unbroden sod.
So if we may credit an ancient,
though not very trustworthy tradition,
the city of ceremonies was founded
by ceremony far older than itself.
Thus was established with no dream
of its future greatness, "Rome, the
Eternal City," B&B Oh E& ~
Although having met with many
disasters while in its infancy, yet
about the first century A. D., We find
Rome the mistress of the known
world. Taking my hearers back to
this time, let US 60 to witness the
opening of Flavian's great amphi-
theatre, more commonly known as
the Coliseum On our way to this
magnificent edifice we shall have an
opportunity of viewing some of the
wonders of the great city.
We 60 forth until we come 10 the
foot of the Capitoline hill. Looking
upward we perceive on the south
west side, the triple temple of Jupiter,
Juno and Minerva, overlooking the
surrounding city, since usage required
that the temple of the tutelary diety
should be placed upon the point
where the widest view of the city
could be obtained. On the opposite
side stands the citadel of Rome, an
impregnable fortress with which every
considerable city is provided, and
whittier in direst calamity its soldiery
may retreat to make last defense.
DO you perceive that gigantic statue
on the brow of the bill, looking down
into the forum belowy 1t is the
statue of Jupiter. who thus surveys
the throngs Of Roman politicians in
all their public gatherings Whether
it was intended to thus symbolic the
truth that their crookedest ways and
most secret dealings were known to
the god, is unknown. Nevertheless
Jupiter's presence was not believed to
be in vain, for, five may credit
Cicero, the detection of Catiline's
famous conspiracy was attributed to
this lynx-eyed statue. ----
Let US now pass by the basalt lions
guarding the base, and up the broad
flight of steps Of the grand staircase /;
at the top, turning either to the right
or left, we pass around the triple tenn
pie, on the one side by viaduct, on
the other by flight of steps leading
down to the Forum. Let us follow
the latter way. Taws~v-v 49, a.
The Forum stands in the valley be-
tween the Palatine, Capitoline and
QuiriLal hills. Originally a marsh,
overlooked by the continual inunda-
tons of the Tiber, made this valley
available neither for purposes of bust
ness nor of Phabitation, until il had
been reclaimed by human art. An
embankment of massive stone work
was constructed in the bank of the
river and drains of vast size were
built to carry off the stagnant water.
This oblong space contains the
Forum. What grand sight it is to
stand here and look upon the build
ing near by! Around this confined
space from right to left, are grouped
the most important buildings Of Rome.
The Senate house, temples of the
most ancient and evenerated gods,
Comtium, Rostra and mansions Of
the Senators. While above us on one
side rises the glittering temple of
Capitoline Jove, and on the other
the inviolate citidel. But this Forum
constitutes the centre of this circle
of buildings, as it also constitutes the
centre of attraction to the concourse
of Roman politicians.
In this Forum, if we may believe
the records, Virginius slew his
daughter to save her from dishonor /;
and, from the crowd here gathered to
avenge her death, Appius Claudius
fled to the neighboring Mt. Palitine.
Here, in token Of the vengeance of
the gods the earth yawned into fear
ful chasm which nothing could close
until into it had been cast the most
precious thing in Rome ; and into 1t