Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Band 2) (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

Ch. XIL THROUGH ITALY. 403
times to have preferred grottos to their palaces*,
as we may collect from an expression of Se-
necaf ; and from the account which Strabo gives
of a place on or near the road from Rome
to Naples, called Spelunca. This place is
now by corruption turned into Sperlonga, and
lies at the foot of Mount Ccecubus, on the pro-
montory near the southern extremity of the
Lacus Fundanus, about sixteen miles from Ter-
raeina. Of the many caverns here situate, con-
taining magnificent and sumptuous villas, ac-
cording to Strabo no trace remains. Tacitus
speaks of an accident which happened, and the
danger to which Tiberius was exposed while
dining in one of them. J
In Malta near the Citta Vecchia are still shewn
the vestiges of a subterraneous city, for the ex-
tent of the galleries and the regularity of the
streets almost entitle the place to this appellation.

* Of these summer grottos some specimens may be seen
on the borders of the lake of Albano.
t The expression of Seneca alluded to, “ex quo depressing
cestivos specusfoderint. Cons, ad Helviam, ix.
I Annal. Lib. iv. 69.

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