warm and loud, on both sides. The company at length interposed, and the enraged couple were safely bestowed in separate chambers. Our companion retired to rest, threatening vengeance if his antagonist should have the spirit to accept his challenge.

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225lbquod Feb. 26. We commenced our journey very early this morning. Whether our Neapolitan companion or the Ro man first departed from the inn of Terracina, is with us a matter of profound uncertainty and doubt. One thing however is certain, we have not before commenced our journey so early. Signor Rizzio assures us that he enquired for the discourteous Roman, and found he had left the iun an hour before us.

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At dawn we found ourselves enveloped in the fogs and mists of the Pontine marshes. The road is straight and excellent, though the country around us seemed hardly above the level of the water, and we frequently passed extensive morasses where the road was raised like a causeway. These marshes have been lately much improved, and the canal which has been constructed for the purpose of draining them, is near the road. The water runs in this canal with considerable, rapidity. Upon the grounds most effectually drained, we observed large herds of cattle, horses and swine. „idgin sdt ganub The horses appeared to be rather small, but the cattle as fine as I ever saw. The swine are all black, an and in immense herds. They seem to be feeding upon grounds which are too soft and marshy for heavier animals. The extensive tracts which are too low for swine, are covered with innumerable flocks of birds. Ducks, geese, teviots? gulls, hawks, and other birds, actually darken the ground for miles. These countless swarms, are birds of passage

which have migrated from northern regions and are spending the winter in this delightful climate; they will return with the spring to the lakes of Russia, or the wilds of Lapland: or journey with the seasons over the boundless circuit of the globe.

In the centre of the marshes is a tolerable post house where we stopped for refreshment. This establishment is supported by the government. Were it otherwise, the inhabitants would be likely to forsake it, during the sickly months but they are tempted by the reward they receive, to remain in this lonely situation at the hazard of their lives. The disease called Malaria, a malignant intermittent fever, is produced in all parts of Italy by miasmatic exhalations; but is particularly frequent and fatal in the vicinity of the Pontine marshes. I am informed that persons who sleep during the night in the open air, or who in any way yway expose themselves to the heavy dews which follow the clear days of summer, are most likely to contract this disease. "But a whole famliy has passed the summer at this post house, without sickness; while the traveller once benighted upon the dreary waste around them, would hardly ever escape the fatal malady. In this mild climate laborers frequently sleep in the open air during the night, but never without the greatest danger of contracting this fever.

ill We arrived at Valletri, the capital of the ancient Volsci, a little before sun set; were careful to secure lodgings; and then made a short excursion to view the city. It is situated on the top of a hill, which it surrounds and covers; and from its elevated situation and the wideness of its streets, possesses a degree of neatness unusual in the cities of Italy. In almost every city and village, we observed among the

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people some peculiarities of dress. Here the women wear stays, red vests, red stockings, and their hair turned back and fastened with a hollow silver pin about four or five inches in length. They are taller, better formed, and -have fairer complexions than the Neapolitans. The custom of carrying weights upon the head as here practised undoubtedly has a tendency to improve the chest, and is a very healthful exercise. The womens probably cowe their fine forms in some degree to this practice, dorer?

We visited a large palace in the highest and most commanding quarter of the city, from the windows of which we looked back upon the marshes, just as the sun was setting. We had been journeying all day upon the plain which the eye now commanded at a single view. The distant promontory of Circe situated at the western extremity of the Pontine marshes, bounds the prospect on the right, and the Volscian mountains on the left, while the country near us rises slightly above the level of the plain, enlivened by villages, and enriched by cultivation.

This palace is occupied by the police officers of the city, and as an edifice, possesses nothing worthy of observation. From this place we strolled about the city," and came at length to a little church, which we attempted to enter, but found the door closed. As we walked around the building, an inscription upon a box soliciting chafity for the order of St. Francis, attracted our attention. Through a grated window near it, we saw an immense pile of human bones promiscuously thrown together. We were surprised to see them above ground, and in such a exposed situation. On the corner of the church, and tip

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on other buildings near, is painted in large letters, Via Paradisa, the way to paradise, tedion silk geld

69 We returned to our inn, which by this time was crowdded with company, principally English. We sat down to eatcommon table and miserable dinner. The Italians prefsent, talked loud, and seemed content, while the English were reserved, and silent. With our three Italian combpanions we formed a separate and social party. We are fortunate in our companions, and find no want of topics, sthough our conversation consists of scraps of Italian, French and English, combined I know not how.

Journey to Rome continued Tomb of the Horatii and Curatii-Arrival.

to Feb. 27.WE commenced our last day's journey at 5 o'clock, and passed Gensaro about sun rise. Rome, the place of our present destination, was near at hand, and our curiosity relative to things around us began to be absorbed in the expectation of soon beholding the ever-lasting city. The country through which we passed is rough, wooded, and strewed with ruins.

of Many of the half decayed buildings on the Appian way, bare of a construction which shows them to have been monuments erected over the dead, though they are without inscriptions. We passed this morning a large ruin of this kind near the road, which is supposed to be the tomb of the Horatii and Curatii, who fell in the cele brated combat which decided a dispute between Alba and Rome in the, reign of Tullus Hostilius. A union of the two governments was proposed by Tullus, but Alba being the mother colony, was not willing to concede the

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location of the capitol to Rome. The armies of both cities were drawn up in order of battle, when Tallus proposed to Fuffetius, the Alban dictator, to dicide the con troversy by a single combat, "The Alban general not “being brave, or perhaps not thinking himself a match "for Tullus, brought several prudential reasons to prove “that it would be better to choose three champions out of "each army whose swords should terminate the contest, “than to hazard the lives of the generals. This proposal "Tullus accepted, and the chiefs retired to their entrench❝ments.

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"As soon as the conditions of the union of Alba and "Rome were known in the two armies, there was in both "of them a strong emulation among the young warriors "for the honor of being chosen to this important combat. "Fuffetius cast his eyes upon three brothers whom he "imagined the gods themselves had pointed out to be the * champions for Alba; believing also, that three broth"ers who were then in the Roman camp, were and under "the like destiny of being champions for Rome. It was "the extraordinary circumstance of their birth, which

made Fuffetius entertain this notion. Sequinius, an il"lustrious Alban, had two daughters; one married to "Curiatius, a citizen of Alba, the other to Horatius, a citizen of Rome: and these two women were e brought "to bed on the same day, each of three male children, "The Horatian and Curatian brothers hers were now in the "flower of their age, and all six remarkable for their "strength and dexterity in fighting. The Alban general "having fixed his choice on the three Curatii and al and gained their consent, communicated his thought to the king of Rome, and exhorted him to pitch upon the three Horatii.