THE BORGHESE PALACE. Ma quantunque di gloria animi accensi Faccian splender quaggiù mirabil cose, E pria dell opre, ahi! che al colpir suo grave SALOMONE FIORENTINO. THE palace and villa of the Borghesi are among the most celebrated in Rome. The former was founded by the Cardinal Dezza in the year 1590, and after the plans of the distinguished architect, Martini Lunghi the elder. In extent and magnificence it has the air of an imperial residence, rather than of an edifice belonging to a private family. It is divided into three great apartments, the communication between which is formed by a double gallery, running across the court of the garden. This noble entrance is surrounded by an elegant double portico, supported by a hundred massive granite columns of the Doric and Ionic orders, and ornamented by several statues, of which the most conspicuous are those of Faustina and of an Amazonian. The principal room in the ground floor was formerly filled with one of the largest collections of sculpture, both ancient and modern, to be found in the world; but the present possessor of the palace having married Paulina, sister of the late Emperor of the French, bartered it away to his brother-in-law; and the |