tates to the surface in still weather, and, when carried along with the winds, it does not appear to rise very high or extend very far, except in such a state of dilution as to be nearly harmless. (There are, however, exceptions to this.) Thus, a current of air coming from a malarious ground, is strained, as it were, by passing through a wood or grove of trees; a portion of elevated ground, or a high wall, will often arrest its progress. Hence the suburbs of Rome are more exposed to malaria than the city, and the open streets and squares more than the narrow lanes in the centre of the metropolis. The low, crowded, and abominably filthy quarter of the Jews, on the banks of the Tiber, may probably owe its acknowledged freedom from the fatal malaria to its sheltered site and dense population." Dr. Folchi, physician to the Hospital St. Spirito, observes on this point, "The atmospheric vicissitudes which prevail during the summer season, produce two important effects—a serious disturbance in the functions of the skin, and a subtraction of the thermometrical vital fluid furnished by the activity of the nervous system. The consequence of the former condition is an alteration in the intestinal mucous membrane; of the latter, an alteration of the ganglionary system. Thus, the essence of intermittent fever consists in a disturbed equilibrium of the elements of life, and principally of the nervous fluid, which the febrile movement tends to bring back to a healthy condition."* The circumstance of the soil being freely exposed to the action of the sun's rays, and the consequent decom *Sulle origine delle febbre intermittenti in Roma. position of animal and vegetable matters upon its surface, after heavy rains, or in stagnant waters, is the principal cause of the greater prevalence of malaria in modern as compared with ancient times, when great part of the now exposed and deserted Campagna was covered with wood or buildings. The plantation of trees is, therefore, a means of diminishing the evil, as has been found to be the case in the Tuscan Maremma, where the fixed population has greatly increased within the last twenty years. Trees and plants which have an abundance of leaves, are most advantageous for this purpose. Where the vine is cultivated, the malaria seldom prevails. Not only is the air filtered, as it were, by passing through the foliage, but it is further purified by the chemical changes, occasioned by the superabundance of azote being absorbed, and oxygen being emitted.* To this natural remedy, viz., plantation and cultivation of the ground, there are, however, obstacles, which in many parts are insurmountable to colonization on a large scale-1st. The extent of unhealthy district to be acted upon, would entail a great sacrifice of human life, and of capital at the outset, without the likelihood of any corresponding return for a long series of years. 2nd. The deficiency of magazines, stables, roads, and habitations: 3rd. The want of a certain quantity of available soil for the production of fruits, wine, grain, and fodder for cattle: 4th. The comparative absence of water for drinking and for irrigation: 5th. The earth, being in many parts too soft and argillaceous, from the inundations of the Tiber and other causes. * See the annexed observations on Malaria. Even in those portions where cultivation might be readily undertaken, the crops would be of inferior quality, for which it would be difficult to find a market there being already a sufficiency of produce for Rome itself; that which might be obtained by cultivating the Campagna, would not repay the expense of transport for exportation; which, from the deficiency of road, or of any navigable river, would be attended with considerable outlay. Much, however, has been, and more could be done, towards improving the quality of the air-by the drainage of marshy lands, preventing the accumulation of rain, planting trees near ponds and collections of water not drainable, and also along the shore of the Mediterranean-the relaxing south wind, most prevalent in summer and autumn, being one of the most powerful predisposing causes of the fevers, and the consequent visceral disease, to which are subjected more especially the inhabitants of the country, whose houses are not raised above the level of the plain, and who are consequently exposed to the action of this noxious agent not only by day but also at night, when the body, having been relaxed by the heat, the skin is more capable of absorption, as is especially the case during sleep. Hence the necessity of the rule for those travelling by night through the Pontine marshes, or other unhealthy localities, by all means to avoid sleeping. In winter there is, however, little reason to apprehend the effects of malaria in any part of the city. Rome possesses many charitable institutions. Besides the hospitals already mentioned, there is the Ospedale della Consolazione, close to St. Giovanni in Laterano; the Santo Gallicano in the Trastevere, for cutaneous diseases; a hospital for convalescents (received from the other hospitals of the city, and which also serves as a lodging-house for pilgrims); one for abandoned orphans, who are received at the age of seven years, educated, and maintained till twenty; the Santa Maria del Refugio, for female penitents; the Santo Michele, a large building on the Tiber, containing about one thousand inmates, who are divided into four classes-old men and old women, young men and young women. These latter are instructed and taught trades; the females, on attaining the age of twenty, if they marry, are portioned with 100 scudi; the males, on quitting the establishment at the same age, receive 30 scudi. The university termed the Sapienza (from the inscription over the entrance, Initium Sapientiæ timor Domini), was founded at the close of the thirteenth century. There are about fifty professors to occupy the different chairs in the five faculties. It does not, however, rank very high among the Italian universities. The population of Rome, exclusive of strangers, amounts to about 170,000. The lofty and massive walls, built at various epochs, occupy a circuit of several miles, and in some degree prevents the malaria from affecting the city as much as the suburbs. The streets are narrow, paved with small squares of basalt, and, except in the quarters frequented by visiters, are not particularly clean. The Corso is almost the only one which has a raised foot-pavement of rough stone. They are but indifferently lighted at night, the intro duction of gas being still a desideratum. Next to the Ponte Santo Angelo, the Sisto is the most frequented medium of communication between the opposite banks of the river. Somewhat lower down than the last named, is the Ponte Sotto, which forms a picturesque object when seen from the left bank, near the temple of Vesta. There are five theatres, all open during the carnival, but closed during Lent. At the Apollo and the Valle operas are given; the Argentina is more appropriated to dramas and comedies. The operatic corps is generally one of the best in Italy. The mausoleum of Augustus is now an amphitheatre for equestrian, conjuring, or other exhibitions. Living, as respects the necessaries of life, is not very expensive at Rome, considering it is deserted by visiters for more than half the year. It is, however, more so than at Florence, particularly when carriages or other luxuries are concerned. The markets are well supplied, and provisions abundant. The common wine is bad, being frequently adulterated, and often disagrees with strangers. The Velletri and Geasano wines are more potable. The French wines are mostly received from Cette, and are not of very superior quality. There are only two or three tolerable restaurateurs. The principal hotels are Mories', in the Piazza del Popolo; the Europa and Jerny's, in the Piazza di Spagna; the Russie and De Paris, in the Babuino; the Angleterre, the Allemagne, in the Condotti; and the York, near the Piazza Veneziana. Most of these have a table d'hôte. The English church, immediately outside the Porta del Popolo, is conveniently and appropriately fitted up, and |