Archæologic Items From Rome.

here Ave may enter three large smoke-begrimed stables , formed out of the arched recesses of the arcades , AA'ith their massive vaults and Avails , partly of opus reticulatum , UOAV in many places blocked off or altered to suit modern purposes ; the appearance of these interiors reminding one of

caverns scooped out of living rocks—a strange scene to come upon in the midst of croAvded streets . At a short distance hence , on the southern side of the Pompeian theatre , Avas lately found , under a shop , in the Via Giubbonari , an enormous shaft ( diameter 4 \ metres ) of red Egyptian granitelaid

_ , prostrate ; and near this , an immense fragment of white marble cornice with fine mouldings ; these relics lying in a dark subterranean , at a depth , Ave might conjecture , of about 13 ft . below the modern level—brought to light nearly by accident in laying the foundation of a house : it seems that

no effect is to be made either for securing them or continuing to explore on a site so promising . The bronze Hercules remains still in an out-house of the Vatican , to receive the few restorations requisite from the hand of Tenerani ; and AA ith permission from that gentleman this Avondei-ful statue may at

times be seen . We leave to learned judges the anatomic power it displays ; but Avhat struck us most at a first vieAV Avas the high conception of

heroic beaut ) 1- , tha finely-marked characteristics of intellect that distinguish this above all other antiques of the same subject . More important than all other recent undertakings on the part of this Government , are the excavations at Ostia , suspendedtill November next .

At the last session ( 5 th of July ) of the Roman Archa ? ologic Academy , Ave heard a long and learned report from Signor Visconti , jun ., on the general results of these works , a single draAving ( Avhy not more , we might ask ?) being SIIOAVU to illustrate this lecturefrom an indeed admirably designed

, fresco in a tomb ( noAV at the Vatican Library ) of Orpheus ' s descent to the shades , and his meeting with Eurydice . It Avas Pius VI . that systematic labours were first ordered at Ostia ; recommenced , after long interruption , casued by political tempests ,

under Pins VII ., they where again resumed in 1859 , with direction of Signor Visconti , whose intelligent methodhas aimed at the disencumbering of the city ' s entire area , instead of excavation limited to certain sites . At the session of the Academy it was announced , amidst much applause ,

that the Pope had ordered the creation of a museum of Ostian antiquities in situ ; the edifice chosen being a large one hitherto used as a depot for the produce of the saltAVorks on this seacoast , where in future the valuable art-objects hitherto , in every instancetransferred from Ostia to Rome

, , will be exhibited ; but , it may be asked , to Avhat superior advantage for the student or tourist , seeing that the uuAvholsome and desolate situation , sixteen miles distant from Rome , and the poverty of accommodation at the modern village , must continue to render Ostia one of the least frequented

Archæologic Items From Rome.

( though UOAV , indeed , highly attractive ) among historic spots near this city . The preparations for erecting Tenerani's noblyconceived monument to Pius VIIL , at St . Peter ' s , are IIOAV nearly complete ; and the colossal group , — the Saviour , the tAvo chief Apostles , Avith the Pope

kneeling in front , —Avill soon appear above the door leading from an aisle to the sacristy , Avhere that egress Avill enter into the design of the architectonic basement . Another sculpture lately erected at St . Peter ' s is the colossal statue of St . Angela Merice , foundress of the Ursuline nuns , by GalH , —

not , indeed , favourably seen in the high-placed niche assigned to it , —but a pleasing and dignified matron figure , and monastic costume ably treated , and the venerable character of the nun contrasted with the youthful naivete of a girl standing at her kneeintroduced in allusion to the special vocation

, of the Uranlines , the worthy females enrolled in Avhich order dedicate their existence to the instruction of their own sex . The project for the restoration of the Marcian Aqueduct , to discharge its Avaters first on the Quirinal , is not to be carried out by meansin any partof the antique

con-, , struction ( noAV extant only in a feAV scattered ruins ) , but entirely by underground channels laid through the embankment of the railway , to be at the same time commenced between Rome and Tivoli . Our

consul , Mr . Severn , has energetically promoted this project , noAV sanctioned by authorities . At present , the most conspicuous public Avorks here are those in churches ; and in the re-opening of catacombs has of late been displayed great activity . On the other hand , many things , most obviously

desirable and of most general interest , are neglected ; classic sites left untouched ; illustrious monuments abandoned to disgraceful uncleanness and profanation . Suchinconsistencies form , indeed , one of the manifest peculiarities of Rome . We are often astonished to see how much is done by a

Government whose revenues have been reduced , through late political shocks , by more than tAVOthirds ; Avhilst our surprise at Avhat is left undone may Avell be modified by the consideration that this Government absolutely and on system prevents all utterances of opinionreducing the Press to an

, echo of its OAVU Avishes , or usque ad nauseam praises—under Avhich state of things , can one Avonder at any imaginable amount of abuses or short-comings ?—Builder .

Ar00801

CBICKET . —On A \ ednesday , the 13 th inst ., a match at cricket Avas played on Moulsey Hurst , between two elevens , consisting of the pupils and attaches of Bro . Hammond ' s Commercial Academy at Hampton , assisted by Messrs . K . and AV . Peel and Bro . . 1 . It . Sheen , non-residents . The score was as follows : — Bro . Sheen ' s side , 81 and 74 , total 155 . Bro . Hammond ' s side , 57 and 23 , total 80 . The match , which had been on the tapis for some time and anxiously looked forward to , was keenly

contested and created a lively interest . AVniSPEMKO is more dangerous than loud speaking ; the latter may instantly call up the rejoinder of truth , if needed ; _ but the former may travel on , leaving poison in its track , until truth can overtake it with difficulty .