Mérigot, Jacques: A Select Collection Of Views And Ruins In Rome And Its Vicinity: Executed From Drawings Made Upon The Spot In The Year 1791 (London: Publishes By R. Edwards, 1831)

THE CASCADE OF TERNI.

This cascade, commonly known by the name of that of Terni, from
which town it is a few miles distant, is called on the spot Cadenta delle
Marmore. The river Velino having parted from the Lake Pie di Lugo,
and traversed some delightful vallies, is all at once discovered within the
confinement of a narrow channel, and flowing between inaccessible rocks,
through which an opening is perforated, to gratify the curiosity of tra-
vellers. Hence the river throws itself into an abyss 300 feet in depth,
and forms this remarkable cataract : and then rolling its foaming waters
among immense rocks, it again breaks into smaller cascades, and unites
itself with the Nera in a channel which is so confined, that in rainy
seasons the neighbouring country was frequently overflowed from it : to
remedy this inconvenience, Pope Pius VI. caused a larger bed to be dug
in the rocks for the reception of the waters. The tumult of the torrent,
the whiteness of the foam, and the mist which hangs over the fall concur
to strike the spectator with admiration. This wonder of nature Virgil
has introduced for the embellishment of the 7th book of his Æneid,
“ Est locus Italie medio,” &c. 563.