Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

GHIGI PALACE, ARICIA.

These are the haunts of meditation ; these

The scenes where ancient bards the inspiring breath
Ecstatic felt.

THOMPSON.

THE palace of which the annexed plate is a representation forms the principal part of one side of the square which occupies the centre of the town of Aricia. Though not possessing in itself more claim to particular attention than the generality of Italian villas, its elevated situation, and the numerous groves and shrubberies which surround it, render it an object of great picturesque beauty. The town of Aricia itself is one of the most ancient in Italy, and is said to have been founded long before the settlement of the Greeks and Latins in the country. In the time of Cicero it had obtained municipal honors, and was greatly celebrated on account of its contiguity to the Nemus Aricianum, with which were so intimately connected the traditions respecting Egeria, Diana, and Hippolytus, the object of the latter's parental care.

But, while we are presented with most romantic views of this neighbourhood by both Virgil and Ovid, their great contemporary Horace represents himself as somewhat differently affected by the aspect of Aricia. It was here he made his first halt in his eventful journey to

Brundusium; but, instead of breaking forth into some expression of awe or admiration at his near approach to the sacred empire of Trivia, he stammers forth, in the tone of a tired and discontented traveller, that the place afforded him but scanty comfort for the toil he had endured :

[ocr errors]

Egressum magnâ me excepit Aricia Româ,
Hospitis modico."

The antiquary, however, finds numerous objects to interest him in this neighbourhood, independent even of the associations so plentifully furnished by the poets. Aricia, as originally built, occupied the lower part of the hill, the summit of which is now crowned by its palace and church, and small neat streets. Some scattered but interesting ruins of the ancient town are still visible, and, yet more interesting, the foundations of the noble Appian Way, one of the most striking evidences that exist of the aspiring and confident spirit which animated Rome in its early days. The prodigious breadth and height of these foundations, and their rude appearance on the side of the hill, contribute greatly to the general effect of the landscape about Aricia, and the least contemplative mind can scarcely fail of being moved by the contrast which exists between the little town and its gay villa and these mighty remains of a people who seemed to personify empire in all they did, and to think of Rome as of a being destined to shake the earth by her step, and to form whose path-way to dominion it was necessary to bind rocks together with bands of iron.

The elevated position of Aricia secures it an advantage which cannot be too highly estimated, considering its nearness to the pestilential track so fatal to human life. With refreshing gales always blowing through its shades, it looks down in safety upon the heavy tides of poisonous air that float about the pastures over which it hangs. Not more than a mile distant stands the beautiful village of Albano, equally favored in situation and climate, and still more interesting in point of antiquarian remains. The curious may trace here the vestiges of both Roman luxury and Roman greatness, the ruins of an amphitheatre, a Prætorian camp, and a reservoir; while tradition points to an ancient tomb on one side of the town as that of Ascanius, and to another on the side towards Aricia as that of the Curiatii. Relics of Alba Longa also may be still seen glimmering beneath the waters of the Lago Castello, and a museum at Albano contains numerous specimens both of the urns and domestic utensils in use among its ancient inhabitants.

If we are to believe the testimony of the ingenious Mrs. Starke, respecting the character of the people about this district, they retain a greater share of the primitive dignity of Romans than most of their countrymen. "A gentleman," says that lady, "told me he lodged in the house of one of those Trasteverini, a barber by trade, and wretchedly poor, when his daughter was addressed by a wealthy and respectable German; but, notwithstanding these advantages, the lover received a rude and positive refusal from the mother of the girl. My acquaintance, surprised at this behaviour,

« VorigeDoorgaan »