Annals of Brookdale; A New-England Village (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ...Innocent X., who built this beautiful retreat to please an unprincipled woman, has unintentionally given delight and recreation to thousands, it being constantly visited by every class, from princes to beggars, who enjoy walks on the green turf and shady strolls by fountain and brook, where the swans form a pretty feature. The Italian signoras sweep the ground with dresses of velvet and satin, wearing them longer than we do at home, and never being dressed for exercise, a fashionable saunter satisfying them. "Yesterday we went to the Vatican, where is that fine fresco, 'St. Peter Delivered from Prison;' but everything there yields to the superb picture of St. Jerome by Domenichino. Our two judges, the Marquis Cettini and Mr. Middleton, went beyond the usual verdict of awarding it the second place (the 'Transfiguration' of Raphael being the first); they give it the palm. These fine pictures hanging opposite make comparison easy, and my impulse was to prefer the St. Jerome. Rome abounds in the most lovely angels, Cupids, and infants, in both painting and statuary; but the group of cherubs hovering over the old saint is the most perfect of all. "We passed down the magnificent staircase, through the Swiss guards in their singular uniform, and appreciated how gratifying it must be for the head of the Church to feel that all this grandeur and beauty are his. Apropos, we went last week to be presented to Pope Gregory XVI., where Miss Simpson and some of her friends were so noisy that he was offended, and it is rumored that Americans will not be received again this winter. Is it not mortifying? "We constantly go to St. Peter's, that world in itself, and hear the divine singing. Aunt Martha's taste for music is there gratified in the highest degree. B...