The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-08-28

Besides half the passengers have to ride
with their backs to the engine and as
this is never pleasant and to some deci-
dedly otherwise, there is generally a
scramble to get the choice seats.
The country through which we passed
was delightful to look upon. 1t was much
troken by steep hills and deep valleys,
but as they are either covered with a car
pet of living green, or planted with fruits
and grains it only added variety 20 the
view. Many Of these hills would rise up
out ofthe plain to a sharp point which
would be crowned either with a village
or the remains of au ancient castle or fcrt-
itication, giving the lanscape varied ap-
pearance. For while l wondered why
the people should choose a dwelling place
so difficult of access till remembered an
old story about a man who lived beside a
swamp and was great sufferer from
| rheumatism, lie prayed TO his god, Ju-
piter, for relief who replied Come up
on the hilltops". As l afterwards learned
malaria abounded in the valleys and the
people chose more healthful places TO
live.
The land appeared TO be fertile and was
cultivated to the last foot Of tillacle soil.
In the fields men were working usually
in droves of from ten to thirty, rarely, if
ever singly. They used ga triangular
shaped hoe with which they dug up the
ground. Nowhere did see a horse or
OK at work in the fields. l presume,
however. they used these in preparing
the ground for the grain but even of this
am not sure. Only occasionally were
women seen at this kind Of labor. 1t
was rather an odd spectacle at first to see
these long rows of men, with white shirts
aud trousers digging the soil. Economy
was seen in many places where trees
were planted in regular order with two
branching limbs supporting grape vines
while all around among them grain was
growing. There seemed to be very few
leaves on these trees and | afterwards
learned they were mulberry trees ard
were striped off to feed silk worms, as
we saw them do in Syria, at Beyroute.
Mount Vesuvius, with her crown of
white smoke belching out from her top
appeared in sight long before we reached
Capua and was still visible long alter we
had passed that city on the way to Rome,
As the sun was sinking low in the
west We entered the celebrated Campagna
and Just as the dusk Of evening began to
fall we caught sight of ancient ruins, pill
lars Of old aquaducts, dc, that indicated
our NJ ar approach 10 the Eternal City
interesting not so much for its modern
sights and history as its ancient history in
the days of the Caesars. The lights ofthC
city began to twinkle in the distance and
soon we alighted in depot that would
compare favorably with any depot in a
city of similar size in our country. The
Gaze & Cos, agent, who met us, had also
brought our mail which was distributed
at once on the platform and for few
moments Rome was forgotten in the
greater pleasures OF getting letters from
home.
But here we are in Rome, the city built
on seven hills which same hills are diff
cult now to locate, Traditionally founded
| by Romulus and Remus, twin brothers
who by the very great kindness Of Z
| r,otI,or ,-oIf ,rara nouriSbad fhrouub th,
early days of their lives when the chan
ces were against them. To show theil
gratitude for such rare attention they be
come great men and the progenltors of I
long line of literary characters VIII,
around out latin by the yard for classica
students through all ages since thus get
tin even with
"Mdn's inhumdHity 10 man."
when these twins were cast out on a coli
and heartless world.
The city is built on both sides of th
yellOW Tiber, but as l had frequentl
seen the yellOW Mississippi and the yelloi
Missouri this river did not interest M
much. High walls on either side restrai
the water from over flowing its bank
while many stone bridges with q acefr
arches, some ancient, some modern. spa
it. The breadth of the river is about tw
hundred feet. The city, which has a POI
ulatioh of nearly a half million hi
spread out considerably in recent veal
and not only covers the original Seve
Hills but also much Of Campus Martin
The first place visited was the Janicl
lum Hill from which we had compile
view Of the city. Almost every impo
tant place could be pointed out and "
got good idea of the lay of tine Lam
The Seven Hills, about which so much
said, are now scarcely seen or recognize
as such. The hills have been cut dow
and the valleys filled up destroyir
much Of the carly contour of tho cit
i Rome is sometimes called the city
, fountains and it might well be call,
such, never saw the like, or even a.
reaching it in any city. At almost evel
square and at many street crossings a
fountains sending forth streams of Gle
sparkling water which had a tendency
make one feel cool whether he was
not. The fountains were constructed
a great variety of forms. One was like
I warship with water pouring ont Of Il
cannons. Another, at Quartuor Fontan
at the intersections of two streets, had
recumbent lion on each corner. when
the name. Through some ofthese a va
quantity Of water was continually pou
ing. Many Of these fountains are priva
gifts, usually Of high church officials, al
they took good care that the succeedir
generations should know who hi
erected them by having their names C
in large letters in the face of the marble