The Capitol is a considerable Building, with Curiosities worthy a Traveller’s Attention. It was built in the Pontificate of _Gregory_ XIII. The Ascent to it is by a Stair-case of several Flights, adorn’d on both Sides with Balustrades of Free-stone, at the Bottom of which two Lions are plac’d, of a kind of black Stone like Jet, which form two Fountains. At the Top of the Stair-case, there are two great Horses representing _Castor_ and _Pollux_, when they came Express to ROME with the News of the Victory gain’d over the _Tarquins_. In the Midst of the Area, which is form’d by three separate Piles of Building, two whereof are as advanc’d Wings to the main Building that fronts the Ascent, there’s an _Equestrian_ Statue in Brass, of the Emperor _Marcus Aurelius Antoninus_, which is the most beautiful, and completest Piece that was perhaps ever made of the Kind. They say here, that the Republic of _Venice_ offer’d some Years ago to pay as many _Sequins_ for this Statue as cou’d be put into the Horse’s Belly. If this be true, that Republic was undoubtedly more wealthy than it is at present. ’Tis certain, that the Capitol contains a considerable Treasure in ancient and modern Statues, in Basso Relievos, and in all Sorts of Fragments of Antiquity. The Structures are according to the Direction of _Michael Angelo_.
In the middlemost Pile of Buildings, which is much higher than the two others, the Senate of ROME meets, and there Justice is administer’d. There are two Flights or Steps up to the Gate which opens into the Hall of the Tribunal where they plead. Between the two Flights, there’s a stately Fountain adorn’d with two antique Statues of Marble, lying on Pedestals, representing the _Nile_ and the _Tiber_; and in a Niche over it, is the Statue of _Roma triumphans_, a Work of Porphyry, an antique Marble of excellent Sculpture.
The Inside of these three Piles of Building contains fine Paintings, particularly the Rape of the _Sabines_; and among the modern Statues, the Connoisseurs esteem the brazen Statue of Pope _Urban_ VIII. done by _Bernini_; the Colossal Statue of Pope _Leo_ X. in Marble, done by _Lorenzetto_ of _Florence_; those of _Alexander Farnese_, _Marcus Antoninus_, _Colonna_, _Gregory_ XIII., _Paul_ III. and many others, in short, which I don’t mention, as being of less Value, and which are not much minded here, because they are not done by the best Hands, but wou’d pass with us for Master-pieces.
