Release date : October 29, [eBook ] Most recently updated: October 24, In keeping with his intent, footnotes have been moved to the end of this file.
The cover image has been modified to include the volume number, and is placed in the public domain. Please consult the notes at the bottom of this text for more details on the handling of textual issues. From the German by Mary J. One vol. From the German by Mrs.
Edward Hamilton Bell. From the German by Clara Bell. Two vols. Each visit added strength to the mysterious impulse, to conjure up from their tombs these shadows of a mighty past, and afterwards, at home, where the throng of impressions sorted and grouped themselves at leisure, my impulse ripened to fulfilment.
I will not pause here to dwell on the fact, that the period of Imperial rule in Rome bears, in its whole aspect, a stronger resemblance to the XIXth century than perhaps any other epoch before the Reformation; for, without reference to this internal affinity, we should be justified in using it for the purpose of Romance simply by the fact, that hardly another period has ever been equally full of the stirring conflict of purely human interest, and of dramatic contrasts in thought, feeling and purpose.
I must be permitted to add a word as to the notes. I purposely avoided disturbing the reader of the story by references in the text, and indeed the narrative is perfectly intelligible without any explanation.
