Produced by David T. Jones and the Online Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net Images generously provided by "Making of America" Cornell University. THE NEW YORK SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: _Published Weekly at 128 Fulton Street, (Sun Building,) New York._ BY MUNN & COMPANY. * * * * * RUFUS PORTER, EDITOR. * * * * * TERMS.--$2 a year--$1 in advance, and the remainder in 6 months. [Illustration: hand pointing right] _See Advertisement on last page._ =The New Roman Road.= [The present Pope has given his consent to build railroads in his dominions, which the former Pope was averse to. The following lines are predicated on his consent.] Ancient Romans, ancient Romans-- Cato, Scipio Africanus, Ye whose fame's eclips'd by no man's, Publius Æmilianus, Sylla, Marius, Pompey, Cæsar, Fabius, dilatory teaser, Coriolanus, and ye Gracchi Who gave so many a foe a black eye, Antony, Lepidus, and Crassus; And you, ye votaries of Parnassus, Virgil, and Horace, and Tibullus, Terence and Juvenal, Catullus, Martial, and all ye wits beside, On Pegasus expert to ride; Numa, good king, surnamed Pampilius, And Tullus, eke 'yclept Hostilius-- Kings, Consuls, Imperators, Lictors, Prætors, the whole world's former victors, Who sleep by yellow Tiber's brink; Ye mighty names--what d'ye think? The Pope has sanctioned Railway Bills! And so the lofty Aventine, And your six other famous hills Will soon look down upon a 'Line.' Oh! if so be that hills could turn Their noses up, with gesture antic, Thus would the seven deride and spurn A Roman work so unromantic: 'Was this the ancient Roman Way. With tickets taken, fares to pay, Stockers and Engineers, perhaps-- Nothing more likely--English chaps Brawling away, 'Go on!' for Ito, And 'Cut along!' instead of Cito; The engine letting off its steam, With puff and whistle, snort and scream; A smell meanwhile, like burning clothes, Flouting the angry Roman nose? Is it not Conscript Fathers shocking? Does it not seem your mem'ry mocking? The Roman and the Railway station-- What an incongruous combination! How odd, with no one to adore him, Terminus--and in the Forum!'--[Punch. =Good Advice.=