statuary, and falling water; and is not disfigured by Neptunes, sea-horses, and tritons spouting in all directions; a defect which much reduces the effect of the great fountain of Trevi. But then in that case the expanse of water in front restores the repose; and the grouping of the artificial rocks and caves upon which the figures rest, or from which they start, is so noble, and the dimensions of the whole so magnificent, that all minor defects are forgotten.

The great fountains in front of St. Peter's, throwing up their eternal cloud of foam and spray, are perhaps the finest in Rome, for they are free from any adventitious ornaments. The white column of water shooting up with immense force to a considerable height, till it breaks and scatters in a cloud of spray, falls back in powdery rain into a vast tazza, from which it descends in broken and varying sheets, glittering like silver to the reservoir beneath; and this simple design produces more poetic effect than all the lavish decorations of more costly works.

A somewhat similar effect is produced in the beautiful fountain on the Piazza Barberini, but there, unfortunately for my theory, it is a triton that spouts up the towering stream, from a shell.

The fountain on the Piazza Navonna is said to be the masterpiece of its author, Bernini, but though full of fancy and allegory, it fails to produce a poetical impression, though the grouping is decidedly fine.

I quit the subject reluctantly, for I could wish to describe more minutely many of the Roman fountains, in hopes of tempting some millionaire to make the premier pas in giving to our own metropolis the advantage of public decorations of this description. But when we see the only available supplies of water in the possession of grasping companies, and see a noble design for a national monument abandoned on account of the expense requisite to supply the fountain, (which formed part of the design) I fear there is but little hope.

* The Nelson Testimonial.-If any of the water companies had come forward to volunteer a supply of water, there is little doubt but the beautiful design of Baily would have been adopted, instead of the unmeaning column which was decided upon.

CHAPTER X.

THE CARNIVAL AT ROME.

THIS 21st of February was the first active day of the Roman Carnival; for though it commences on twelfth-day, the last week alone is exclusively devoted to festivity. Carnival, being interpreted, as every one knows, means farewell to flesh. It is a last week of feasting previous to the fastings; so all good, catholic, apostolic Romans, endeavour to show that they intend doing hard duty in Lent by taking their revanche in Carnival; and make a point of eating, drinking, and having as much pleasure, as for love or money can be purchased during the week's saturnalia. The veriest miser becomes extravagant; and amusements of every description are sought and indulged with a zest and avidity truly Italian. It is moreover equally incumbent on those who have no natural gaiety in their dispositions to be merry as the rest; and this is a law to which the most serious bow without murmuring. The "fiat has gone forth;" il faut, as the French express it, il faut s'amuser. You consequently may see some most stately Harlequins, most serious Pierrots, and most silent Pulicinellos; yet even these go through the eight days' masking and mumming, with a sort of satisfaction pleasing to themselves, and would not have felt a clear conscience had they not toiled (for to such it must be toil) the requisite number of turns up and down the Corso, or missed a single festa di Ballo at the teatro Alibert.

About two o'clock I went forth from my rooms in the via Babuino, (Baboon Street) which takes its name from the ancient statue of a sylvan god over a fountain; who, in his sadly mutilated state, his nose, &c. knocked off, and his goat's legs, being the most perfect part of his remains, does not badly represent il babuino, which the fountain is now called, which being supplied by the virgin water, (the aqua di Trevi) is frequented by the inhabitants of all the neighbourhood. This street, as well as many others, was formerly known by different names by inhabitants of different parts of the city, and Pius VII. was I believe the first to cause permanent names to be written at the corners; which was a task of some difficulty,