Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . f a Saint Symphorosa, who, together with her seven blooming sons, was sacrificed tothe ancient gods near the temple of Hercules. The youthful Benedict, when he fled fromthe corruptions of Rome to dedicate himself entirely to Heaven in the solitude of thedistant Sabine mountains, beheld the magnificent buildings of Hadrian almost was towards the end of the fifth century; and only fifty years later, they were utterlydevastated by the savage hordes of Totila. Since that time, the churches and museumsof Rome,—and, indeed, all Europe,—have been enr
Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . f a Saint Symphorosa, who, together with her seven blooming sons, was sacrificed tothe ancient gods near the temple of Hercules. The youthful Benedict, when he fled fromthe corruptions of Rome to dedicate himself entirely to Heaven in the solitude of thedistant Sabine mountains, beheld the magnificent buildings of Hadrian almost was towards the end of the fifth century; and only fifty years later, they were utterlydevastated by the savage hordes of Totila. Since that time, the churches and museumsof Rome,—and, indeed, all Europe,—have been enriched from this treasure house, andpickaxe and spade have brought to light the antique splendours which now adorn many adistant hall. SHORES OF LAGO FUCINO TO THE PONTINE MARSHES. 323 The mass of ruins is very confused and intricate, and has been the despair of manyan archaeologist; but the rich growth of wild plants, and the surrounding Campagna,make the place unspeakably attractive. A whole series of classic landscapes may be. MARINO ON THE LAKE ALBANO. found here, forming a treasure-store of another kind for the appreciative artist, and onethat is eternal and inexhaustible. The cypress with its ancient stem replaces the fallenpillars of the old world of marble ; ivy represents the carpets, acanthus the capitals of thecolumns, instead of incense we have the breath of the wild rose, and in place of theGrecian flutes, the spring song of birds. T x 2 324 ITAL Y. In an oblique line across the waving Campagna lies a group of blue is the exhausted Vesuvius of the Roman landscape,—the much praised hills ofAlbano. Vulcan created them, and the foot may yet wander for miles upon the blackenedashes of his strenuous work. But the forge smokes no longer ; and where the fire onceglowed, and hammer and anvil rang, the silent fishing bark swims on the still, green lakesof Nemi and Albano. Here were the original cradles of Rome ; and hither the mostmodern life of wealthy
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