CHAPTER XI. WALKS AROUND THE FORUM. HERE is a living Rome and a dead Rome, a TH city of the Present, and a city of the Past. The city of the Past is in ruins; the silence of death hovers where once walked imperial conquerors, and the loathsome lizard creeps where once senators and tribunes revelled in luxury. The city of the Present is full of monks, cardinals, and priests; its public ornaments are churches, and its populace bow and rise at the sound of the sacerdotal trumpet. To the city. of the Past we now bend our steps. "And is this the Forum, of which I have heard so much?" said Walter, as one day the party stood on that spot which was once the resort of orators and statesmen. "This is all that remains of it," replied his father. "Was it not a noted place in ancient times?" "Yes, my son; it was to the old Romans what Faneuil Hall was to the people of the early American states." "What?" "Why, the Cradle of Revolution.” "It must have been a beautiful spot origin-. ally." 66 "O, yes; the broken fragments which you see around you attest that." "I should like to have heard the orators who once here stirred the hearts of the people." 66 They are all gone, and the race of Ro mans that dwell in the city is a very different race from that which was here two thousand years ago." Mr. Percy then led his children through the Forum, and described to them what they saw, answered their questions, pointed out arches and pillars, and interested them greatly in the place so sacred to eloquence and patriotism. True, Minnie was a little impatient, and wanted to be gone; but Walter lingered, and it was only a promise of visits to other ruins that could induce him to leave. The Coliseum came in for a visit of a day, and that gave more satisfaction than the Forum. The young reader knows that this is an immense amphitheatre, built about the time of Christ for gladiatorial purposes; and though in ruins, it still stands in its gigantic proportions, the wonder of the world. "Here is the entrance," said Mr. Percy, as they went in. "I remember a prophecy made by somebody," said Minnie. "What was it?" asked Mr. Tenant, who had hold of Minnie's hand. "While Rome stands the Coliseum shall stand; And when the world falls I can't remember the rest.” ter; 66 66 No, I shouldn't think you could," said Walyou havn't got any of it right." "Then you had better try yourself." "I know what it is." "Then repeat it, Walter," said Mr. Tenant. "I can, for I have read it a hundred times. Every traveller that goes to the Coliseum repeats it; so a book I was reading yesterday said." "Well, if you can quote it, do so, bub." "I will if you will be quiet: • While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand; "Bravo!" cried Minnie, clapping her hands. They were now in the centre, and Mr. Percy called the attention of the children to the fact that on the very spot where they then stood the blood of martyrs had been shed. |