Produced by Dagny [dagnypg@yahoo.com]
and David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
IN submitting to the English-speaking public this second volume of M.Zola's trilogy "Lourdes, Rome, Paris," I have no prefatory remarks tooffer on behalf of the author, whose views on Rome, its past, present,and future, will be found fully expounded in the following pages. That abook of this character will, like its forerunner "Lourdes," provokeconsiderable controversy is certain, but comment or rejoinder may well bepostponed until that controversy has arisen. At present then I onlydesire to say, that in spite of the great labour which I have bestowed onthis translation, I am sensible of its shortcomings, and in a work ofsuch length, such intricacy, and such a wide range of subject, it willnot be surprising if some slips are discovered. Any errors which may bepointed out to me, however, shall be rectified in subsequent editions. Ihave given, I think, the whole essence of M. Zola's text; but he himselfhas admitted to me that he has now and again allowed his pen to run awaywith him, and thus whilst sacrificing nothing of his sense I have attimes abbreviated his phraseology so as slightly to condense the book. Imay add that there are no chapter headings in the original, and that thecircumstances under which the translation was made did not permit me tosupply any whilst it was passing through the press; however, as someindication of the contents of the book—which treats of many more thingsthan are usually found in novels—may be a convenience to the reader, Ihave prepared a table briefly epitomising the chief features of eachsuccessive chapter.
MERTON, SURREY, ENGLAND,
April, 1896.
I
"NEW ROME"—Abbe Froment in the Eternal City—His First Impressions—His
Book and the Rejuvenation of Christianity
II
"BLACK MOUTH, RED SOUL"—The Boccaneras, their Mansion, Ancestors,
History, and Friends
III
ROMANS OF THE CHURCH—Cardinals Boccanera and Sanguinetti—Abbes
Paparelli and Santobono—Don Vigilio—Monsignor Nani
IV
ROMANS OF NEW ITALY—The Pradas and the Saccos—The Corso and the Pincio
V
THE BLOOD OF AUGUSTUS—The Palaces of the Caesars—The Capitol—The
Forum—The Appian Way—The Campagna—The Catacombs—St. Peter's.
VI
VENUS AND HERCULES—The Vatican—The Sixtine Chapel—Michael Angelo and
Raffaelle—Botticelli and Bernini—Gods and Goddesses—The Gardens—Leo
XIII—The Revolt of Passion
VII
PRINCE AND PONTIFF—The International Pilgrimage—The Papal Revenue—A
Function at St. Peter's—The Pope-King—The Temporal Power
VIII
THE POOR AND THE POPE—The Building Mania—The Financial Crash—The
Horrors of the Castle Fields—The Roman Workman—May Christ's Vicar
Gamble?—Hopes and Fears of th