The National tribune., 1893-03-16

DAYS foated before me and / had for days
enjoyed them in anticipation. Alas. for the
surprise. How different the reality. Cold
breezes blow down from the mountains and in
parts the driven snow covers up the blooming
rose bushes while dark scowling clouds conceal
the ever-shining sun. That is Italy as have
seen it, with now and then a fair day interyen-
ing as a sort Of apology to travellers.
Naturally the footsteps of traveller are first
attracted to the City of the Cesars, Rome,
strange, enchanting city that is claiming the
attention of the whole world. The eternal
city, as writers have described her, is still exist
ent. and is without doubt the most interesting
city in Europe from historical point of view.
As walk along the streets and see the remains
of structures of the past a great respect Tor
those builders of old grows up within me. In
my imagination can fill these streets again
with stately Romans clad in their far-famed
togas.
Rome was not built in day, we are told.
Nav nor in a thousand and one either. The
city as it exists to-day is the product of GEN.
turies Of constructive work. 1t exists as a
monument to the glory of the Cesars. to the
ostentation Of the Popes, and to the genius of
modern Italy. 1t is a city founded with the
Nation and which grew with that Nation.
When the nation was strong Rome was mistress
of the seas and when Rome fell all was lost.
Yes Rome, once ruler Of the world, fell and if
will have like fate.
The history of Rome is so full Of strange in
cidents that it takes volumes to detail them.
Its history runs back so far that ones head is
turned at the remotenes5 of its origin. Its his
tory is interesting. The foundations of modern
civilization took start here. The great conflict
between Christianity and the ancient religions
was fought here. Our Government and law
had their origin in the codes of the ancient Re-
public
As / stood where Nero stood during the burn
ing Of the city | could not help thinking of the
past somewhat. The idea of King being so
inhuman as TO set FIRE to his own Capitol in
order 10 rebuild it in more magnificent man
ner is almost Incredible. Then, for him to
stand there and laugh at the misery Of the poor
people rendered il worse. Yet such are the re-
corded facts a man who could make human
torches by pouring oil over poor human beings
and then set il Oh fire would be capable OF al
most anything. Such royal amusements were
not uncommon under the degenerate rulers OF
Rome in the good old days. Then, in the face
Of such examples people will ask, in apparent
earnest, wsether the world is growing better or
not. Surely nothing is more evident
Rome is gold mine. do not mean that the
crude metal is taken out of the earth and ex-
tracted with SO much necessary labor. On the
contrary, the gold is brought, ready coined,
from the minis OF every Nation on the face of
the globe and cast into the Golfers Of modern
Romans 1t is far richer source Of revenue
than the richest California mine. This source
is not only never failing. but seems 10 be an
ever-increasing one
On the streets Of Rome foreigner is not
such a curiosity as in some Of the inland cities
Of Spain Rather every third or fourth person
seems TO be foreigner, English and Americans
predominating. Nearly all these have guide
book in hand, ont OF which they are reading
descriptions Of the streets; SO the tourist with
his guide-b book has become standing subject
for Jokes.
Winter in Rome is very fashionable season.
The npper-ten and would-be members flock
here in great numbers to spend the cold season
IN tas they doubtless SUPPOSE land Of per-
petu2l Summer.