Rome, and Its Surrounding Scenery (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. 1840. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. THE CHURCHES OF ROME. Who does not hasten to the lofty portals of St. Peter's, with anxious and highly wrought expectation? It is almost invariably the first spot visited by the traveller on his arrival in Rome; and whether a disciple of the Romish church, or of one of the many sects that her abuses have driven from her bosom, the attraction of that glorious shrine is the same. The vast monument of the supremacy of the Popes is even a more powerful magnet than the relics of the dominion of the Cassars. I hastened towards the bridge of St. Angelo, admired the general effect of the statuary of Bernini, with which it is decorated; cast a hasty glance at the castle, and pushed forward towards St. Peter's. It broke upon me--but like many who have preceded me, I was disappointed; so much so, indeed, that I determined not to attempt a description until I had experienced the effect of a second impression. Had I at once advanced into the interior, this first sensation might have been effaced, but I retired, somewhat chilled in my enthusiasm, resolving to defer my intended exploration. After having again and again revisited the great cathedral, the exterior still strikes me as at first; there is nothing about it, with the exception of the two superb fountains, and the circling colonnade, worthy of its reputation. The portico, or rather let me say facade, is decidedly bad: I do not mean incorrect, or inconsistent with any of the accepted rules of art, (though even that might be urged in many respects, ) but badly imagined and designed. The Italians tell you that Carlo Maderno, whose design it is, made it rather low, in order not to conceal the dome; which is certainly sufficiently concealed by standing so far back, in consequence of the immense length of..