Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XIV.djvu/436

 ROME St. Peter' Church and the Vatican Palace. visible from the square before the church. But the dome itself and the interior of the edi- fice are held to be unrivalled in magnitude, proportion, and decoration. The church of St. Paul " outside the walls," destroyed by fire in 1823 and rebuilt and dedicated in 1854, is also a masterpiece of magnificence in architec- ture and decoration. Like the ancient St. Pe- ter's, it was originally founded by the empe- ror Constantino. The first English Protestant church ever erected within the walls of Rome was opened Oct. 26, 1874. It is a handsome edifice, built of pietra terena on the basilica plan, but without aisles, and is situated on the piazza San Silvestro, E. of the Corso. The former English church, outside the porta del Popolo, still continues its services. The palaces of the Roman nobles are numerous and large, but are generally more remarkable for in- ternal than for external splendor. Their walls are usually of brick stuccoed, and their chief external ornament is a rich cornice. The prin- cipal of these mansions are the palazzi Doria, Ruspoli, Corsini, Orsini, Giustiniani, Altieri, Cicciaporci, Farnese, Barberinr, and Colonna. There are several palaces which, from being surrounded by extensive gardens, are called villas. Of these the principal is the villa Bor- ghese, whose gardens, nearly 8 m. in circuit, are open to the public, and form the most fashionable promenade in Rome. There are many squares in the city, consisting of small paved areas, generally adorned with fountains and monuments. The large oval area in front of St. Peter's is surrounded by a superb colon- nade, and in the middle between two foun- tains is an Egyptian obelisk 78 ft. in height. The square next in size is the piazza Navona, which is about 840 ft. in length, and has in the centre an elegant fountain, the finest in Rome. Fountains are numerous throughout the city, and form one of its most striking and attractive features. They are copiously supplied with water by three aqueducts which still remain in operation, of the many that poured their streams into the ancient city. Among the most curious remains of ancient Rome are the catacombs. (See CATACOMBS.) The manufactures of Rome are various, though not extensive. The principal are of woollens, silks, velvets, hats, gloves, stockings, leather, glue, glass bottles, liqueurs, pomade, artificial flowers, mosaics, jewelry, and articles connected with the fine arts. The city is a great resort for foreigners, of whom the Eng- lish, French, and Americans are the most nu- merous, and is a favorite place of residence and study for foreign artists. The climate is mild, but relaxing and oppressive in summer. Rains are frequent and heavy in November and December, and there is usually a little snow in the winter, which seldom remains more than a few hours. The tramontane a disagreeable cold north wind, sometimes blows for several days at a time. The malaria fever, so much dreaded, may be avoided by proper