Cyclopian Remains Near Rome.

Fumone , celebrated in thirteenth century annals as the scene of the imprisonment aud death that closed the strangely-romantic career of the hermit-pope , Celestinus V ., confined here , after his abdication of the tiara , by the jealousy of his energetic successor , Boniface VIII . ; but , after a few years ,

canonized by the next occupant of St . Peter ' s chair , Clement V . "We enter Alatri through a narrow modern archway , firmly set into the antique walls extending far on both sides , where at once are recognised the characteristics of the Oyclopian in one of its most perfect and imposing specimensa spectacle that

, carries the mind back to those pre-historic days when Palanlium and Saturina rose out of primaeval forests ancl deep morasses on the Palatine and Capitol , ages before the city of Romulus had included those mounts within its comparatively modern walls . For almost the entire circuit of Alatri we follow the

lines of this extraordinary fortification , and observe " with satisfaction that , to all appearances , its majestic ruins have suffered nothing from the demolishing outrage of recent times ; surmounted for the most part , by house-walls or those of convents , built in the same calcareous stonethey standin

, , many places , at considerable height , and sometimes free from all superincumbent adjuncts , the measurement of some stone blocks being 6 feet to 7 feet in length by 2 feet to 3 feet in thickness . This stonework is in either regularly-squared or polygonal massestlie latter often dovetailed together with

, the most careful compactness : and where the interstices are wide , they are filled by small irregular stones , cut apparently only on the outer surface ; the strata in some instauces correspondent and running

m horizontal lines , in others sinking towards the centre , so as to describe a downward curve . At certain points we see cavities , apparently the mouths of secret passages , for purposes of communication or escape ; the most conspicuous of these near a gateway , with an orifice narrowing from the summit to the base . But the most important remains are those of

the Acropolis , on a spacious platform , high above the level of the town , at whose southern extremity it rises , now occupied only by tlie cathedral and episcopal palace ( insignificant modern buildings ) ; around this elevated ground the steep being supported

by buttress walls , in the same stupendous masonr }' , but more completely preserved than the rest , ancl on one side advancing in a rampart , detached from tlie slope , that terminates in an obtuse angle , where 50 and 60 feet of height is obtained by a wall of not more than fifteen stone courses . Near

this rampart is a gateway , still entire , under a horizontal arch , the lintel formed by a single stone , perhaps 8 to 9 feet in length ; and within the ingress another such horizontal stone forms a roof at somewhat higher level : the jambs , in enormous stonework , ancl the passage within , lined by projecting '

masses , left rough in their unhewn surfaces , asif for incrustation , or iu the intent of having this part concealed by other Masonry . The grand ^ extent of landscape , tlie valley of Latium if ovum , with its western and eastern mountain limits , commanded from this platform before the cathedral churchmiht

re-, g ward for tlie fatigues of a journey to Alatri , irrespectively of the local antiquities . Nor are these last exclusively of one character ; for , strange to say , this remote and little-visited town

eontains more of the Middle Ages than is dicoverable amidst all the grandeurs of Rome . In its narrow streets , through none of ivhich could pass a vehicle , and where are ascents like broken staircases , only to be achieved by a scramble , we now and then see mullioned and transomed windows , of two

or three lights , divided by quaint colonnettes , acutearched doorways , and massive stone facings , that tell a tale of better days , once enjoyed but long lost by these now gloomy abodes . In some churches also remain , amidst paltry modernisation , fine examples of the wheel or rose windowand ample arched portal

, , with clustering pilasters ; one in particular , whose exterior seems left untouched , remarkable for the Flamboyant tracery of its rose window over a portal with acute arch , pilasters and mouldings of very rich character—the interior , a poor attempt at Gothic restoration , with a superfluity of tawdry colours , and

the worst description of stained glass set in its pointed windows ; though original outlines still unaltered , and the peculiar arcades , with cttsped arches that divide the nave and aisles , are worthy of notice . As to this church which has also- a fiue old campanile , with different stories of round-arched and two-lihted

g windows , divided by graceful colonnettes , we could obtain no histoiy iu the town ; but , after returning to Rome , could identify it with that briefly noticed in Moroni ' s " Dictionary of Ecclesiastic Erudition , " as the Santo Stefano of Alatri , built in the thirteenth century by one Cardinal Gottifredoprobablthe

, y Italian form of a German name . To inspect another most remarkable monument of Oyclopian construction , we must quit the railway at Velletri , and thence accomplish ( by horse or hired

vehicle ) a journey of some hours across a region , once designated Yclscorum Ager , where the wide valley is bounded by the Volscian mountains eastward , and though cultivation is not wanting , a character of wild mournfulness distinguishes the scene , habitations being scarcely found , ancl the sole village passed on this

route , San Giuliano , abandoned to gloomy though picturesque decay . Cora is said to owe its name and origin to the Argive Coras , brother to Catillus , thrice mentioned in books vii . and ix . of the " iEneid ; " by Cluver is assumed to be one of the cities built by the aborigines and Pelasgi ; according to Livy , a Volscian

town ; but its citizens , the Corani , by Pliny called "Trojans . " Historic certainty as to her vicissitudes may be found at least in the account of submission to the Roman power , after having long struggled against it iu alliances with the other cities that formed the Latin Leaguefrom the year 415 of Rome ' s era ;

, after which date she continued in peaceful subjection as a municipium , mentioned by Strabo among the more considerable towns of Latium . Now a wild , dismal little place , where nothing seems to animate the monotonous gloom of obscure existence , it seemed to us that this town , possessing such

treasures of antiquity , surpassed in the degree of squalid and repulsive wretchedness anything we had yet seen ( at least among regions so near highways and metropolises ) , in the experience of not a little Italian travel . Arriving at the foot of the steep height it climbs over and crownsand quitting the vehicle

, , ivhich cannot traverse its precipitous , rugged footpaths ( rather than streets ) , we first observed some external walls , and the towers of a gateway in reticulated masonry , antique , though restored iu the