VILLA CASSIORUM (NEAR TIVOLI) SURFACE OF PLATEAU OF VILLA OF QUIN TILIUS VARUS. TIVOLI ROCCA GIOVINE POLYGONAL WALL AT CORI BRIDGE AT CORI CORI . To face page 42 86 42 50 GATEWAY (E.). NORBA GATE (E.) NORBA LOOKING TOWARD NORMA NINFA vii 19 54 86 DAYS NEAR ROME INTRODUCTORY 'The Campagna di Roma is nothing else than the land of Latium, which is separated from Tuscany by the Tiber. From the time of Constantine the Great the name of Latium has fallen into disuse, and that of Campania has been used in its place, and in the middle ages this name indicated a great part of the so-called "Ducatus Romanus." 'Since the middle ages this district has been divided into two parts, the Campagna, which comprises the inland district, and the Maritima, which extends along the sea-coast as far as Terracina. Nature herself has separated it by mountains and plains into distinct compartments. It is divided into three plains: first, the Campagna around the city, watered by the Tiber and the Anio, and hemmed in by the Alban and Sabine mountains, the hills above Ronciglione, and the sea-coast; secondly, the great plain in which the Pontine Marshes are situated, bounded on one side by the Alban and Volscian Hills and on the other by the sea; and lastly, the valley of the Sacco which runs between the Volscian and the Equian and Hernican Hills, and falls into the Liris near Isoletta below Ceprano.'-Gregorovius. THE HE more distant excursions described in this volume are not always the most interesting, and of course cannot be recommended for aged or delicate persons. There are, however, some even of these which may be undertaken without the slightest inconvenience or discomfort, and which form a delightful change from Rome itself in the Spring. The most advisable of these easy tours is that by the southern railway, making the excursions (separately) to Cori and Ninfa from Velletri. Another is from Ferentino to Alatri and Trisulti. Subiaco, Olevano, and Palestrina may be comfortably visited from Rome by rail or motor in the day. The Abruzzi beyond will delight those who can enjoy the wilder moods of nature. In the Ciminian Hills, which, combined with Caprarola or Bracciano, afford in Spring perhaps the most delightful of the excursions from Rome, the accommodation is indifferent though improving. Much may be seen in drives from Viterbo, a good central situation, where a week may be passed with real profit, especially to the lover or student of things mediaeval. Perhaps there is no town in the world whence such a variety of excursions may be made as from Rome. They are so entirely different from one another. The phase of scenery, the architecture of the towns, the costume, the habits, the songs (and this means A |