DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0312
252
THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
Servius, in his notes on the 2Eneid, thinks a place
in Apulia agrees better with Virgil’s description ; but it
must be recollected that Apulia does not lie in “ Italia
media," and Horace, who was a native of Apulia, does
not mention a word of any such natural curiosity. Swin-
burne, however, says, that not far from Friuli is a lake
called Ansancto, which emits a sulphureous vapour 5 and,
indeed, agrees far better with Virgil’s description of the
entrance to Pluto’s domains than the beautiful cascade
of Terni, which would inspire any thing but unpleasing
associations.
This splendid cataract, which forms so important a
feature in the scenery of Terni, is produced solely by
the hand of man, and is one of those few instances
wherein human industry rivals in its effect the mag-
nificent works of nature. Great injury was sustained
by the inhabitants of the vale of Rieti from the waters of
the lake of Lugo, or, as it was originally called, Pie de
Lugo, overflowing its banks, and rendering the country
around little better than a marsh. An artificial vent was
proposed and executed during the consulship of Curius
Dentatus. Expensive legal contests were the consequence
during the time of Cicero between the citizens of Rieti
and those of Interamna, who strenuously opposed the
discharge of the Velino into the Nar. The artificial
vent, however, performed its duty but ineffectually, the
river still continuing to overflow its banks until the pon-
tificate of Pius VI., who considerably enlarged the chan-
nel, and completed the work as it at present remains.
It can hardly be supposed, while gazing on the tor-
rent, and the awful gulf into which it is plunged, that
THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
Servius, in his notes on the 2Eneid, thinks a place
in Apulia agrees better with Virgil’s description ; but it
must be recollected that Apulia does not lie in “ Italia
media," and Horace, who was a native of Apulia, does
not mention a word of any such natural curiosity. Swin-
burne, however, says, that not far from Friuli is a lake
called Ansancto, which emits a sulphureous vapour 5 and,
indeed, agrees far better with Virgil’s description of the
entrance to Pluto’s domains than the beautiful cascade
of Terni, which would inspire any thing but unpleasing
associations.
This splendid cataract, which forms so important a
feature in the scenery of Terni, is produced solely by
the hand of man, and is one of those few instances
wherein human industry rivals in its effect the mag-
nificent works of nature. Great injury was sustained
by the inhabitants of the vale of Rieti from the waters of
the lake of Lugo, or, as it was originally called, Pie de
Lugo, overflowing its banks, and rendering the country
around little better than a marsh. An artificial vent was
proposed and executed during the consulship of Curius
Dentatus. Expensive legal contests were the consequence
during the time of Cicero between the citizens of Rieti
and those of Interamna, who strenuously opposed the
discharge of the Velino into the Nar. The artificial
vent, however, performed its duty but ineffectually, the
river still continuing to overflow its banks until the pon-
tificate of Pius VI., who considerably enlarged the chan-
nel, and completed the work as it at present remains.
It can hardly be supposed, while gazing on the tor-
rent, and the awful gulf into which it is plunged, that