DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0179
CHAP. IV.]
MODERN VANDALS IN ITALY.
77
and the snow on the loftiest peaks of the Apennines, proved
that autumn was fast giving place to winter.
The road to Florence still pursues the line of the ancient
"Via Cassia, of which we were unpleasantly reminded by
the large blocks of basalt which had formed the ancient
pavement, and were now laid at intervals by the side
of the road—proh pudor!—to be Macadamised for the
convenience of modern travellers. This is, alas, too
often the case in the Italian States, where the spirit of
utilitarianism is fully rife. If a relic of antiquity be con-
vertible into cash, whether by sale or by exhibition, it
meets with due attention ; but when this is not the case,
nobody cares to preserve it—the very terms in which it is
mentioned are those of contempt—it is il pontaccio—or, le
muraccia—and " worth nothing; " or, if it can be turned
to any account, however base, the most hoary antiquity
will avail it nought. Stones are torn from the spots they
have occupied eighteen, twenty, or five-and-twenty centu-
ries, where they served as corroborations of history, as
elucidations of national customs, as evidences of long
extinct civilisation, and as landmarks to the antiquary—
they are torn thence to be turned to some vile purpose of
domestic or general convenience. Surely governments
which profess to reverence and prize memorials of the
past, should put a stop to such barbarous spoliations and
perversions ; or the ancient Ways will ere long be untrace-
able, save by the Itineraries of Antoninus and Theodosius,
or by the records of modern archaeologists.
Just after leaving La Storta, a road branches to the left
towards Bracciano and its Lake. It follows nearly the line
of the ancient Via Clodia, which ran through Sabate,
Blera, and Tuscania, to Cosa. The first station on that
Way beyond Veii was Careiae, fifteen miles from Rome,
now represented by the ruined and deserted village of
MODERN VANDALS IN ITALY.
77
and the snow on the loftiest peaks of the Apennines, proved
that autumn was fast giving place to winter.
The road to Florence still pursues the line of the ancient
"Via Cassia, of which we were unpleasantly reminded by
the large blocks of basalt which had formed the ancient
pavement, and were now laid at intervals by the side
of the road—proh pudor!—to be Macadamised for the
convenience of modern travellers. This is, alas, too
often the case in the Italian States, where the spirit of
utilitarianism is fully rife. If a relic of antiquity be con-
vertible into cash, whether by sale or by exhibition, it
meets with due attention ; but when this is not the case,
nobody cares to preserve it—the very terms in which it is
mentioned are those of contempt—it is il pontaccio—or, le
muraccia—and " worth nothing; " or, if it can be turned
to any account, however base, the most hoary antiquity
will avail it nought. Stones are torn from the spots they
have occupied eighteen, twenty, or five-and-twenty centu-
ries, where they served as corroborations of history, as
elucidations of national customs, as evidences of long
extinct civilisation, and as landmarks to the antiquary—
they are torn thence to be turned to some vile purpose of
domestic or general convenience. Surely governments
which profess to reverence and prize memorials of the
past, should put a stop to such barbarous spoliations and
perversions ; or the ancient Ways will ere long be untrace-
able, save by the Itineraries of Antoninus and Theodosius,
or by the records of modern archaeologists.
Just after leaving La Storta, a road branches to the left
towards Bracciano and its Lake. It follows nearly the line
of the ancient Via Clodia, which ran through Sabate,
Blera, and Tuscania, to Cosa. The first station on that
Way beyond Veii was Careiae, fifteen miles from Rome,
now represented by the ruined and deserted village of