whence a fine view of Rome and its environs can be enjoyed, standing,
as it were, between ancient and medieval Rome. It is the best position
for study in the world.
From this height the huge mass of the Colosseum appears elegant and
light. The famous Seven Hills may be made out, notwithstanding the
alteration in the soil: on the left is the QUIRINAL, beyond that the
VIMINAL, and beyond that the ESQUILINE; to the extreme right is the
AVENTINE; before us is the PALATINE, with the CŒLIAN beyond it;
whilst we occupy the CAPITOLINE. The contemplation of the city,
however, produces the effect of a vast and solid reading of history.
Each of the great representations of the city, always and differently
mistress of the world, seems to have chosen its respective
quarter--the Rome of the kings and emperors is spread out on the
Palatine, Esquiline, and Quirinal; republican Rome occupies the
Capitol and Aventine; whilst Christian Rome, isolated and solitary,
reigns on the Cœlian and Vatican eminences.