Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . signs for the church, his latest work. He placed a well in themidst, and planted around it four cypress trees of which three are still existing. We willtake the cypresses as symbols of the four souls which dwelt in this wonderful genius, * This expression was applied to Michael Angelo by a contemporary, who declared him to possess four souls : thesoul of a sculptor, a painter, an architect, and a poet.— Translators note. PIOUS PILGRIMAGES AND PROFANE PROMENADES. 271 and dedicate one to the painter of the Sixtine Chapel, the second to the sculptor of theMoses
Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . signs for the church, his latest work. He placed a well in themidst, and planted around it four cypress trees of which three are still existing. We willtake the cypresses as symbols of the four souls which dwelt in this wonderful genius, * This expression was applied to Michael Angelo by a contemporary, who declared him to possess four souls : thesoul of a sculptor, a painter, an architect, and a poet.— Translators note. PIOUS PILGRIMAGES AND PROFANE PROMENADES. 271 and dedicate one to the painter of the Sixtine Chapel, the second to the sculptor of theMoses, the third to the architect of St. Peters dome, and the fourth to his poetical deepest silence formerly reigned here ; and the brethren in their white robes used tosit beside the well and listen to the murmur of the dark, three-centuries-old cypressbranches. But modern times have invaded even this spot; the jingle of spurs and theloud notes of the trumpet re-echo in the quiet cloister-cells ; and where the white-cowled. WOOD AND GROTTO OF EGERIA IN THE CAMPAGNA. monks were wont to sit, you may see the gay uniforms of a regiment of Lancers. Andthe old cypresses shake their heads wonderingly over the change ! Little that is new and little that is beautiful is created in these modern times ; and wemust content ourselves with admiring the ruins of the ancient times. Barracks, manu-factories, Parliament houses, and railway stations, are the chief works of the present present day, too, has shown itself to be very little conservative, and looks with in-difference upon the fall of ancient splendours. There is the Villa Madama on MonteMario, where Peace seems to have taken up her abode amongst green trees, and creepingplants, and tall reeds, and vines ;—well, the Villa Madama makes us sad when we look atit, for it is doomed to speedy destruction. And they are really things of beauty which areon the point of perishing here ; masterpieces of painting. How much happi
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