The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-06-28
A SUMMER AFTERNOON
IN THE ETERNAL CITY.
Penetrating the Bowels of the Earth
and Peering With Lighted Tapers
Into the Tombs Of Martyrs
and Saints. ..

Wnen may the tourist VlSlC NOme
Any time, rather than miss sigh
of this glorious old city.
February, March and April ar
the fashionable months, with the Car
nival, Lent and Easter as the fea
lures. Most visitors leave at the en-,
Of April, when the season at the Ital
ian lakes begins, and there is a shor
season at Florence, from the middl'
of march to the middle Of May. Tt
the conventional traveller, with plen
ty Of time and money, these seasons
are Important cpochs. Transient
Americans may be seen during May
June, July and the beginning of Au.
gust, but from the middle of August
until the end Of September is the
quictest time in the year as regards
visitors. During this period, although
few Of the larger hotels are closed,
galleries, churches and all the inter-
esting places are open as in the
height Of the season. Now the occas-
ional traveller is monarch of all he
surveys. He is in no danger of be-
ing snubbed by an English lord,
jostled by German baron, or of hav-
ing his feelings disturbed by our
wealthy but unsophisticated brother,
who compares the Coliseum with his
home Auditorium, to the grievous de-
triment of the former.
Rome and the adjacent Campagna
have never been thought of as fit
places for a summer outing. Never
thelcss if little care is exercised, the
writer can see no reason why one
should not at any time take a summer
run into this region Of absorbing in
terest. This is not the time for the
conscientious and hari-working sight
seer, whose head keeps continual
sccsaw between batLckcr and bewild-
crin@ donwcrs, but rather for the
easygoing traveller, who is content to
breathe open barouche, absorbing aS
much of the panorama rs he may.
When he leaves his carriage, it is
not for an unending picture gallery
to weary the eyes and weaken the
back, but rather for a peep into some
cool church, or to rest in one Of the
next excursions. If the sun at mid
day gets uncomfortably warm, one
may drive under the shadow Of some
cooling fountain, and, in case it
chances to be the Trevi, the statue of
Ocean seated in shell drawn by
sea-horses and guided by Tritons,
makes a suggestive background for
the splashing waters. Or several
hours may be spent upon the COM
manding mount of the Juniculum,
with the whole Eternal City at one s
feet, each historic spot ready for
idcntificatio, upon the map. When
the eye tires IF this, !here is the all
surrounding Campagna, with the hor-
lzon g'rded by cypress covered hills,
like fitting frame to 4 glorious pic
ture.
Rome Healthy Capital.
II 'mr Is i Cw one of line healthie*!
capitals of nyope, will. an abundant
supply Of pure water brought from a
great distance. The city is kept scrup.
ulously clean. and drains into tho
Tiber, which has been neatly EN-.
banked and its channel dccpened The
government is now constructing
drains that will open into the river
several miles below the city. In aver
age years the thermometer does no
get much higher than so degrees F.
or perhaps occasionally 90 degrees +.
but the nights arc nearly always cool
Considering these facts. it hardl,
seems Il very risky matter to visi
home IN summer, especially if on
will avoid ov"rfatigue and exercise ;
little discretion in eating and drink
ing. II it is hrt at midday, rest shoul,
be cnj"ncd, and evening excursion
had better be avoided. During Al,
gust there are usually two or thre
sirocr"S, or hot winds, lasting a con
pie OF davS. and these arc very on
pressivc. Then the traveller may wei
retire to some Of the mountain re
sorts few hours from the city, Will
one may thus beat a judicious re
treat, the prospect of fairly coo
pleasant weather at any time Of sum
NOR is sufficient to tempt the touris
in Switzerland or the Tyrol TO ri
down to Rome and take the chance.
There is something in the sight @
this old city and older ciyillzatio