[Illustration: BRIDGE OF ST. ANGELO AND TOMB OF HADRIAN, ROME, ITALY.--This bridge is of most ancient construction. It was built by Hadrian in 136 A. D., to connect his tomb with the city. Ten colossal angels, formerly much admired, and executed in 1688, testify to the low ebb of plastic art at that period. The tomb was built by Emperor Hadrian for himself and his successors. The massive circular tower stands on a square basement on the banks of the Tiber. The bronze statue of St. Michael, the Archangel, which is seen on the summit, gives the tower its present name, Castello S. Angelo.] [Illustration: ST. PETER'S AND VATICAN, ROME, ITALY.--St. Peter's is fronted by an elliptical piazza, enclosed by imposing colonnades, and is the largest and most beautiful Catholic Cathedral in the world; it was founded by Constantine and erected where St. Peter is said to have suffered martyrdom. Its erection and improvements cost over $50,000,000. The great Obelisk in the centre of the piazza, having no hieroglyphics, was brought from Heliopolis. The Vatican on the right is the Pope's residence, and is elegantly fitted up, being adorned with paintings and statues by the world's greatest masters.] [Illustration: INTERIOR OF ST. PETER'S, ROME, ITALY.--This most marvellous church in the world was built on the place where stood the temple of Jupiter Vaticanus. The first church here is said to have been built A. D., 90. It was a memorial chapel to St. Peter, and was, according to tradition, erected on the spot where the saint was buried. Constantine built a Basilica on the site. The present structure, the glory of Michael Angelo, was begun about 1503. The picture shows the high altar with the statue of St. Peter to the very right.] [Illustration: ROMULUS AND REMUS SUCKING THE WOLF, CAPITOL MUSEUM, ROME, ITALY.--Thus wrote Virgil ("AEN." VIII-630): "By the wolf were laid the martial twins, Intrepid on her swelling dugs they hung; The foster dam lolled out her fawning tongue; She sucked secure; while bending back her head, She licked their tender limbs, and formed them as they fed."] [Illustration: TRANSFIGURATION (BY RAPHAEL), VATICAN GALLERY, ROME, ITALY.--The last great work and masterpiece of this celebrated artist, unfinished at his death and completed by Clement VIII., was preserved in St. Peter's until 1797. The upper part is by Raphael's own hand; Christ hovers between Moses and Elias; Peter, James and John are prostrate on the ground, and dazzled by the light. The figures to the left, in an attitude of adoration, are St. Lawrence and St. Stephen. The lower half, where the other disciples are requested to heal the possessed boy, was partly executed by Raphael's pupils.]