NARNI.

Narnia sulphureo quam gurgite candidus amnis

Circuit, ancipiti vix adeunda jugo.

MARTIAL.

It would be difficult to find, throughout Italy, or, indeed, in all Europe, a spot more truly beautiful than that on which stands the town of Narni. It is situated on the declivity of a steep hill, as it is elegantly expressed by Silius Italicus,

et duro monti per saxa recumbens Narnia,

and on approaching it from Terni, it resembles a magnificent amphitheatre, surrounded by rich rising grounds clothed with cypress, ilex, and laurel. On ascending the hill towards the town the view which presents itself is surpassingly beautiful. In the vale below, the river Nar foams along, having traversed a space of about nine miles since its junction with the waters of the cascade of Terni. On the opposite side the Apennines arise in their mildest and most beautiful form-clothed to their summits with evergreens, and spotted here and there with little white hamlets. The ruins of the ancient Roman bridge likewise impart a peculiarly interesting feature to the landscape; few travellers, indeed, pass this romantic spot without regretting, in their moments of