"Oswald went next to the monastery of S. Buenaventura, built on the ruins of Nero's palace. There, where so many crimes had reigned remorselessly, poor friars, tormented by conscientious scruples, doom themselves to fasts and stripes for the least omission of duty. 'Our only hope,' said one, 'is that when we die, our faults will not have exceeded our penances.' Nevill, as he entered, stumbled over a trap, and asked its purpose. 'It is through that we are interred,' answered one of the youngest, already a prey to the bad air. The natives of the south fear death so much that it is wondrous to find there these perpetual mementoes; yet nature is often fascinated by what she dreads, and such an intoxication fills the soul exclusively. The antique sarcophagus of a child serves as the fountain of this institution. The boasted palm of Rome is the only tree of its garden."--_Madame de Staël, Corinne._ * * * * * The arch of Titus is spoken of as being "in summa _Via Sacra_," as the street was called which led from the southern gate of Rome to the Capitol, and by which the victorious generals passed in their triumphant processions to the temple of Jupiter. Between the arch of Titus and the Coliseum, the ancient pavement of this famous road, composed of huge polygonal blocks of lava, has been allowed to remain. Here we may imagine Horace taking his favourite walk. "Ibam forte Via Sacrâ, sicut meus est mos, Nescio quid meditans nugarum, et totus in illis." _Sat._ i. 9. It appears to have been the favourite resort of the _flaneurs_ of the day: "Videsne, Sacram metiente te viam Cum bis ter ulnarum togâ, Ut ora vertat huc et huc euntium Liberrima indignatio?" _Horace, Epod._ 4. The Via Sacra was originally bordered with shops, some of which, together with some baths, have been unearthed on the right of the road. Ovid alludes frequently to the purchases which might be made there in his time. In this especial part of the Via was the market for fruit and honey.[68] "Dum bene dives ager, dum rami pondere nutant; Adferat in calatho rustica dona puer. Rure suburbano poteris tibi dicere missa; Illa vel in Sacra sint licet empta Via." _Ovid, Art. Aman._ ii. 263. At the foot of the hill are the remains of the bason and the brick cone of a fountain called _Meta Sudans_, where the gladiators used to wash. Seneca, who lived in this neighbourhood, complains (Epist. lvi.) of the noise which was made by a showman who blew his trumpet close to this fountain.