however, worthy of note, that the PLAN of this building with its deep porch is rather Italo-Etruscan than Greek, and thus adheres to the traditional type observed by the Romans. The cornice is perhaps rather over-enriched and is indicative of a late date, when classic art was in decadence; but the frieze is beautifully designed, and the style as a whole is remarkably pure and elegant. Various ingenious attempts have been made to decipher the letters of the bronze inscription (which were originally fixed on the frieze of the portico), by means of the holes formed by the bolts which attached them to the stone work. The reading which seems most probable from its agreeing with the style of the building, indicates that it was dedicated to two nobles distinguished with the title of “princes of youth.” It is as follows:-- M. CAESARI AUGUSTI F. COS. L. CAESARI AUGUSTI F. COS. DESIGNATO PRINCIPIBUS JUVENTUTIS. This inscription necessarily places the Temple in the age of the Antonines, since the only princes known to whom the above names and title of Principes Juventutis will apply, after the sons of Agrippa, were Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus, adopted sons of Antoninus Pius. From excavations around the edifice it has been ascertained that the Temple formed a centre from which colonnades extended on either hand. It thus probably stood at the end of a Forum, the colonnades around which enclosed shops and places of business or pleasure. This edifice has passed through many vicissitudes; and it is marvellous how it has survived all the various uses or abuses to which it has been subject. It was naturally in the course of events first changed from a Pagan Temple into a Christian Church; in the eleventh century it formed the council chamber of the municipal body; and at a later time it was degraded into a stable, when the flutings of the columns were grated off to allow carts to pass between them. It then became attached to an Augustinian Convent, and was used as a mausoleum and place of burial. More recently it was occupied as the Hall of meeting of the revolutionary tribunal, and still later as a corn market. Now it has been put in good order, and contains the local museum of antiquities. This Museum comprises some good sculpture, especially a fine statue of Venus (Fig. 23), and numerous antiquarian fragments,--many for want of room being ranged round an enclosure in the open air. Portions of Roman mosaics and foundations of an earlier Roman building have been discovered under the soil of the Maison Carrée, thus shewing that it has been erected at a later period than the first occupation of the site by the Romans. [Illustration: FIG. 23. STATUE OF VENUS.]