dogma of the Immaculate Conception. It is estimated that the floor of

the church affords standing room for--for a large number of people; I

have forgotten the exact figures. But it is no matter--it is near

enough.

They have twelve small pillars, in St. Peter's, which came from Solomon's

Temple. They have, also--which was far more interesting to me--a piece

of the true cross, and some nails, and a part of the crown of thorns.

Of course we ascended to the summit of the dome, and of course we also

went up into the gilt copper ball which is above it.--There was room

there for a dozen persons, with a little crowding, and it was as close

and hot as an oven. Some of those people who are so fond of writing

their names in prominent places had been there before us--a million or

two, I should think. From the dome of St. Peter's one can see every

notable object in Rome, from the Castle of St. Angelo to the Coliseum.

He can discern the seven hills upon which Rome is built. He can see the

Tiber, and the locality of the bridge which Horatius kept "in the brave

days of old" when Lars Porsena attempted to cross it with his invading

host. He can see the spot where the Horatii and the Curatii fought their

famous battle. He can see the broad green Campagna, stretching away

toward the mountains, with its scattered arches and broken aqueducts of

the olden time, so picturesque in their gray ruin, and so daintily

festooned with vines. He can see the Alban Mountains, the Appenines, the

Sabine Hills, and the blue Mediterranean. He can see a panorama that is

varied, extensive, beautiful to the eye, and more illustrious in history

307

The Innocents Abroad