  IN submitting to the English-speaking public this second volume of M. Zola’s trilogy “Lourdes, Rome, Paris,” I have no prefatory remarks to offer on behalf of the author, whose views on Rome, its past, present, and future, will be found fully expounded in the following pages. That a book of this character will, like its forerunner “Lourdes,” provoke considerable controversy is certain, but comment or rejoinder may well be postponed until that controversy has arisen. At present then I only desire to say, that in spite of the great labour which I have bestowed on this translation, I am sensible of its shortcomings, and in a work of such length, such intricacy, and such a wide range of subject, it will not be surprising if some slips are discovered. Any errors which may be pointed out to me, however, shall be rectified in subsequent editions. I have given, I think, the whole essence of M. Zola’s text; but he himself has admitted to me that he has now and again allowed his pen to run away with him, and thus whilst sacrificing nothing of his sense I have at times abbreviated his phraseology so as slightly to condense the book. I may add that there are no chapter headings in the original, and that the circumstances under which the translation was made did not permit me to supply any whilst it was passing through the press; however, as some indication of the contents of the book—which treats of many more things than are usually found in novels—may be a convenience to the reader, I have prepared a table briefly epitomising the chief features of each successive chapter. E. A. V. MERTON, SURREY, ENGLAND, April, 1896.
DETAILED CONTENTS PART I. 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 CONTENTS TO PART II. 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 CONTENTS TO PART III. 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 the Papacy IX TITO’s WARNING—Aspects of Rome—The Via Giulia—The Tiber by Day—The Gardens—The Villa Medici—-The Squares—The Fountains—Poussin and the Campagna—The Campo Verano—The Trastevere—The “Palaces”—Aristocracy, Middle Class, Democracy—The Tiber by Night CONTENTS TO PART IV. X FROM PILLAR TO POST—The Propaganda—The Index—Dominicans, Jesuits, Franciscans—The Secular Clergy—Roman Worship—Freemasonry—Cardinal Vicar and Cardinal Secretary—The Inquisition. XI POISON!—Frascati—A Cardinal and his Creature—Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Nemi—Across the Campagna—An Osteria—Destiny on the March XII THE AGONY OF PASSION—A Roman Gala—The Buongiovannis—The Grey World—The Triumph of Benedetta—King Humbert and Queen Margherita—The Fig-tree of Judas XIII DESTINY!—A Happy Morning—The Mid-day Meal—Dario and the Figs—Extreme Unction—Benedetta’s Curse—The Lovers’ Death CONTENTS TO PART V. XIV SUBMISSION—The Vatican by Night—The Papal Anterooms—Some Great Popes—His Holiness’s Bed-room—Pierre’s Reception—Papal Wrath—Pierre’s Appeal—The Pope’s Policy—Dogma and Lourdes—Pierre Reprobates his Book XV A HOUSE OF MOURNING—Lying in State—Mother and Son—Princess and Work-girl—Nani the Jesuit—Rival Cardinals—The Pontiff of Destruction XVI JUDGMENT—Pierre and Orlando—Italian Rome—Wanted, a Democracy—Italy and France—The Rome of the Anarchists—The Agony of Guilt—A Botticelli—The Papacy Condemned—The Coming Schism—The March of Science—The Destruction of Rome—The Victory of Reason—Justice not Charity—Departure—The March of Civilisation—One Fatherland for All Mankind |
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