dows closed to escape the deadly malaria which was rising around, we drove rapidly on, and by eight o'clock were once more within the gates of the city.

ness.

CHAPTER XIX.

It was not suddenly that the reign of Paganism ended in Rome. Its decline was gradual and slow. One light after another faded away, until its shrines were left in darkThe old belief had to pass through many stages before its power was ended, and it was numbered with those forgotten forms of faith which have had their day. It first ceased to be a popular religion and lost its hold upon the hearts of the multitude-then, it passed into a system of philosophy for the learned-and ere it expired, had still farther degenerated into a mere allegory to employ the ingenuity of its disciples. Long however it lingered, even after Christianity had become dominant, and none dared to confess. openly their allegiance to its rival. It was not until A. D. 410, that we can look for its last expiring throes. When in that year, for the first time the Imperial City was occupied by the invaders, a shock was felt throughout the world, and men wildly turned to any cause which might account for her fall. Many, in their despair, ascribed this disastrous consummation to the new religion, and to win back the gods they supposed had forsaken them, offered for the last time. sacrifices at their long-deserted shrines.

But as step by step Paganism retreated, Christianity followed hard upon its footsteps. When the fires had gone out on its altars, and no more worshippers crowded its temples, the new faith at once succeeded to them as spoils won

in the conflict she was waging; and it is to this cause—as in the case of the Pantheon-we may probably ascribe the preservation of some of these relics of antiquity. They were generally however too contracted, the interior or penetralia, being only intended to receive the images of the gods, and not adapted therefore to the meeting of assemblies which had now become numerous.

The Christians naturally turned then to the Basilicas, or Halls of Justice, some of which, as the population of the city decreased, or perhaps as the government grew more absolute, became useless. And most admirably did they answer the purpose of Christian worship. The large area and the long aisles seemed built to accommodate a numerous audience, while the semicircular retreat (apsis) at the end, elevated on its flight of steps, needed but little change to prepare it for the Bishop and his Presbyters. Several of these were therefore granted by the Christian Emperors to the Church, and consecrated for the performance of their services. But yet this new consecration of Heathen temples seemed often insufficient to expel the Paganism which lingered about their walls, or to change the associations with which a half-christianized people regarded the spot. And in some cases we trace these feelings existing even to this day. Under the brow of the Palatine Hill is a circular building once the Temple of Romulus, to which the women of ancient Rome were accustomed to carry their children when ill, that the priests might pray for their recovery. It is now the Church of St. Theodore, and you may at any time see the women of modern Rome carrying thither their children on the same occasions.

You have been with us, gentle reader, in a ramble through the palaces of Rome, where historical associations crowd upon the mind, and miracles of art meet the eye on every ,side: shall we make also a pilgrimage to some of her Churches? Few indeed will there be time to visit--half a