Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-23

this second trial another rlsdiatoriai combs.
was deemed necessity to crafty the refined
tastes OF this vast assemblage OF old Roman
c es!u statesmen and politicians, and on
bleeding, dying victims. Then again were
the h0odgates raised and into the tunnel
surged q mighty food, but on reaching the
narrowed channel, hidden 20 far beneath the
mountain, Q mad contention for the INSULT
cient passage sent the indignant waters back
In such uprising fury that . whirling vortex,
quickly overlooking the reservoir, wrenched
away the supports of the pavilion, while
Ciaudius and his court barely escaped being
swallowed up BY the raging food
In the face OF imminent death and unparal-
ieled confusion Agrippina's thoughts we're only
OF revenge upon her husbands peculant secre-
tary. She taxed him with treason. and never
ceased to urge his Punishment until her desire
was accomplished, and this was only a means
TO the fnal end, which she soon afterward
achieved, that of his
DEATH AT THE HANDS OF HIRED ASSASSIN.
The failure OF grand undertaking was COM
piete and Claudius retired Disguised from the
scene. Soon the debris of broken boats and
demolished stagings completely choked up the
opening into the tunnel and Lake Fucinus con-
tlnued to spread its baneful influences un-
needed.
Nero's reign, succeeding that of Claudius
iiberiaus, wasted Rome with even more fatal
mlasma OF wickedness. Reign succeeded reign
and once more man tried to cope with the
evils presented by the lake. Trajan reopened
the mouth of the tunnel, Hadrian enlarged the
opening and SO far reduced the waters that
pretty villas were erected by wealthy
Romans along the curving shores and
hourishing plantations evolved from the
rich soil, but the original evil was too
deeply seated in the narrow channel under
Mont Salviano, and it gradually closed, the
waters rising until, aided by a sudden noun
tam freshet, the pretty white villas and fruit
full plantations were fatally submerged. The
quite forgotten in its stagnant bed high up the
Appenines.
IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
the celebrated engineer, Fontana, was COM
mlssioned to reopen the Claudian tunnel, but
after years exploration abandoned the enter
prise as hopeless. Several attempts and fail
ures succeeded. In 1926 Neopolitan officer
or engineers spent nine years in examining and
endeavoring to reopen the long choked-up tun-
nel but lack Of financial resources, and the
necessity of great outlay of money, rendered
was formed under the auspices of English
engineers for purchasing and retaining
the'land covered by the lake, but this scheme
failed like all the Others
At last in 1856 Prince Torlania-possessed Of
immense wealth-determined to accomplish
ing, and engaged the services of the most emil
nent hydraulic engineer of Europe, NJ. de Mon
trlcher. who spent one year in studying every
condition of the country, and in March, 1856,
THE WORK OF RESTORATION
was begun. After incalculabe difficulties had
been surmounted the old Claudian tunnel was
SO widened and deepened that the lake was
successfully drained. and on August g. 1862
another festival-one in celebration of a real
trlumph-and which differed widely in manner
and spirit from the one held upon the same
spot by Claudius Iiberius more than eighteen
hundred years before was held. The prince
occupied pavilion which had replaced the
emperor's; mass was said, praises sung, and
the sign of the cross given in benediction.
Again the hood-gates were raised and the waters
flowed out unimpeded by any dishonest work.
the waters from the delighted and grateful
people who were to live upon the redeemed sell
The waters ran their course during four hun
dred and seventeen days, when about IA feet OF
water remained in the lake.
In August, 1865, the lake was again permitted
to flow, and continued SO until May, 1865 when
the bed was empty, and
IN NOVEMBER, 1869. THE TUNNEL WAS FINISHED.
For more than half the distance of nearly
1000 yards, which the tunnel runs before reach.
ing the Liris, it is lined with hewed limestone
beautiful and solid as marble; the works above
the ground being almost as wonderful as those
beneath the mountain.
The magnificent result obtained is an al
most intellectually rich estate of about 80, 0OO
acres added to Italy, and to Prince Torlanias
estate. which is divided into farms of about
sixty acres each, with excellent farm houses
and out-buildings. Churches and schools are
also well supplied, and happiness, fertility,
and industry abound where formerly pestilen-
tial influences reigned supreme. Already
families OF Rome are visiting the spot as a fav-
orite summer resort on account Of the salu-
brity OF the air and the many attractions OF
the fruitful garden lands nesting so charm
ingly upon its high perch among graceful hills
and towering rocks. y
A striking object lesson to the world as con-
frming the truth Of the good old adage that
honesty Is the best policy.
Mrs. MARTHA c. NJ. FISHER.