Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-04
ANCIENT HOUSES.
Ruins which Prove the Luxury OF Eariy
Roman Hnbitntlona

Rothsu 'aoNsbeusA
From the Louisville Courier Journal.
The diligence with which In recent wears the
work Of excavating ancient cities and ruins has
been prosecuted has given us much valuable
information concerning the habits and house
hold equipments Of the earlier world. but IL
leaves still open that question. deeply inter
esting 20 students. scholars and anuqnsrians.
IL not TO the general pubic. namely. whether
the ancients attained hishsr desree Of civil
ization than the present sensrstion possesses.
That il is problem that can never be decided
does not check the discussion. nor does IL de-
tract from the interest that IL excites among
special class.
ignoring the comparative degree Of intel
iectuai Developments attained by the Hncients
ana the moderns. about which one could argue
forever, the question Of production In material
matters amor DIS more substantial basis for de-
cision. For instance. we nov have a very good
iuea OF the construction and furniture of n Ro-
man house. and az d. essy to coniectur. how the
Roman citizen of wealth lived and had his be-
Ing. Among the most Interesting OF these
developments are the excavations Of Roman
villas in England.
The history Of the Romans in Britain is but
fragmentary. but il is well known that the
island was once one of the most important
provinces Of the empire. Hadrian visited a.
Constantine was declared emperor by th. sol
diers at York and the Romans fought 20 retain
WIN courage ana tenaclty that showed
their apprec iation Of rs value. That the
wealth and civilization Of Britain have not
been exaggerated by the conjectures of his-
'oricai writers is now sufficiently proved.
Al Noodchester. in Gloucestershire n
Roman Wills of the grand type has been laid
entirely bare. and the magnificencs Of its ruins
shows that u equal Co many a modern
palace. although this WAS merely the residence
OF private citizen. Everything Is on a great
scale. There are sitting rooms fifty feet
AL a..
selves $50 feet square The floors are splendid
tesselated pavements; the walls are covered
with fresco paintings. and scattered about are
! fragments OF marble groups and statues rich
oe'nian ware and numerous other evidences Of
art and luxury.
In Britain. as well as elsewhere wherever
norman dominion long rested. enough IL left TO
Indicate that the wealthy Roman citizen had an
ease and plenty that the world was unfamiliar
with after the fall Of the Roman empire until
the Venetian merchants began again 20 acca-
muiate from every region the products Of taste
and luxury. Although the rich old Romans
lacked some things that are modern Inventions
yer their houses were in many Respects superior
TO the best OF today. They were larger. built
with more solidity and adorned with more taste
and richness Very few modern mansions,
after 800 years. would remain in as good pres
ervaton as are the Roman houses found in
britain. And II they reached such splendor IN
britain, which was merely province. what
must they have been in Lstium, which was the
seat Of empire?
lhe ancient architect planned and the
ancient contractor built for Mi time. Wen
wager our last sesterce that there were no Bud
densieks IN Rome. When Cicero gave a dinner
party he did not stand in mortal fear OF the
roof falling in or the walls tumbling down on
MS guests. Seriously. when one contemplates
TIE magnificent architecture Of the Romans.
whether expressed in houses or bridges or
aqueducts. though exposed TO the decay of
many centuries. he cannot withhold admira-
ton Tor the solid character of their work, nor
can he avoid reflection that Americans and
Engnsh and Germans and others have many
things 20 learn that were known well enough
1000 years ago.