TRAVELS THROUGH 





LETTER VIII. 



Rome, Dec. 26, 1771* 



1 Cannot fpeak but with rapture of this old 

 noble city, where I arrived a fortnight ago. 

 In that fliort time I have feen fo many rnajeftic 

 beauties of the fine arts, that my memory cart 

 fcarce hold them. That infinite number of 

 churches, decorated with a profufion of the fined 

 tafte : and of palaces, whofe noble fimplicity forcesr 

 even the ignorant to fenfibility ; that innumerable 

 hoft of life-breathing ftatues and pictures \ the 

 many villas and gardens, which each feparately 

 would be confidered in every other refidence as 

 royal ornaments ; and the great many cafcades and 

 jet d'eaux, which are fo many rivers falling from 

 or rifing to the fkies, muft needs raviih and 

 charm every ftranger. I am ftill fo much un- 

 der the charm, that I would give myfelf the plea- 

 -fure of telling you whatever I have feen here. 

 But I know that all thefe excellent works have 



been 



