The _Barberini_ Palace is in no respect inferior to the _Farnese_, and is larger, and, without doubt, richer in Pictures, Statues and Tapestry. The Stair-case is very much taken Notice of, which runs up winding, and forms a great oval Well in the Middle, from the Bottom to the Cupola. The great Hall, which is a stately Room, is painted in _Fresco_ by _Peter Cortona_, who has artfully represented the four Cardinal Virtues, and the Triumph of Glory, with their proper Figures and Ornaments, all to great Perfection. The Apartments to which this Hall leads, are very spacious, and really contain a vast Treasure in Pictures and Statues, of which were I to give you all the Particulars, I shou’d never have done. That which very much disfigures this Palace is the Entrance to it, a Defect which however might easily be remedied, were they only to pull down two or three Outhouses which belong to it. The Palace _Pamphili_ in the Street _del Corso_ will be, as to the Outside, the most magnificent in ROME, when the grand Front, which is now actually carrying up, is finish’d. The Prince _Pamphili_ who is the Owner of it, is very well able to go through with it; for he is one of the richest Noblemen in ready Money in ROME. His Brother the Cardinal, who died a little while ago, left him four hundred thousand _Roman_ Crowns in Specie. The Prince is a very good Œconomist, has no Children, and being not like to have any, because of the Variance betwixt him and his Wife, his Nephew the Duke _Carpidetti_, who is the last of the _Pamphili_ Family, will be his Heir. The Prince and his Lady have been often parted; and though they have been as often reconcil’d, either by their Kindred, or by the Popes, they are continually at Variance; nevertheless, I have been assured by People who know them perfectly well, that when they are asunder, they are very loving, and write to one another the most tender Letters; but that as soon as they come together, they hate one another as bad. ’Tis not long ago that the _Campagna di Roma_ was infested by Locusts (which are here call’d _Grilli_) to such a Degree, that Pope _Benedict_ XIII. curs’d them, and banish’d them to the Sea, in which it is pretended they were all drown’d. This Miracle being talk’d of some Days after in Presence of the Prince _Pamphili_, he made Answer, that he did not believe it; for, said he, were it so, I shou’d be the most unhappy of Men! But, ‘How is it possible for all the _Grilli_ to be plung’d headlong into the Sea, and the _Campagna di Roma_ to be deliver’d from them, and that I shou’d still keep the _Grillo_ in my House?’ He alluded hereby to his Wife, who is of the _Grillo_ Family in _Genoa_.