Addison, Joseph: Remarks on several parts of Italy: &c. in the years 1701, 1702, 1703 (London: Tonson, 1718)

ROME. 131
than those that have been on the Tops
of Hills, or in open Plains 5 for which
Reason the present Face of Rome is much
more Even and Level than it was for-
merly; the same Cause that has rais’d
the lower Grounds having contributed
to sink those that were higher.
There are in Rome Two Setts of
Antiquities, the Chriflian and the Hea-
then. The former, tho’ of a fresher
Date, are so embroil’d with Fable and
Legend, that one receives but little Sa-
tisfaction from searching into them. The
other give a great deal of Pleasure to
such as have met with them before in
ancient Authors; for a Man who is in
Rome can scarce see an ObjeCt that does
not call to Mind a Piece of a Latin Po-
et or Historian. Among the Remains
of Old Rome, the Grandeur of the Com-
mon-wealth sho ws it self chiessy inW orks
that were either necessary or convenient,
such as Temples, High-ways, Aqueducts,
Walls and Bridges of the City. On
the contrary the Magnificence of Rome,
under the Emperors, is seen principally
in such Works as were rather for O-
stentationor Luxury, than any real Use-
fulness or Necessity, as in Baths, Am-
phitheaters, Circus’s, Obelisks, Trium-
phant Pillars, Arches and Mausoleums;
for