ABSTRACT
For many hours I had wandered through its gorgeous mazes, till my mind felt nearly as bewildered under the excitement of scenes so novel and splendid, as my limbs were weary. It was with a feeling of inexpressible satisfaction, that I at length dropped into a seat within sight of those green, ancient elms, 1 so still above the moving throng, while at the same time my eyes fell upon the sweet refreshing waters flowing from the crystal fountain, 2 and on the delicate flowering shrubs disposed with so much taste amidst the splendid ornaments and statues of this glorious Palace; the swelling tones of the magnificent organs, added to the fascinating influences of the place, rose and fell on my senses like the songs of distant angels. I thought upon all the wondrous works of art which I had beheld throughout that long day, and felt that man had indeed richly availed himself of the bountiful gift s of the great Creator – of that “rough produce,” of those “raw materials,” without which none of these splendid works of man’s art could have sprung into existence. I looked on the crystal fountain, that amazing specimen of human skill and ingenuity. What a wonderful combination! sand – flint – alkali! Can these substances indeed have produced that fairy structure, as well as this light airy dome over my head? Then my eyes glanced on the liquid crystal, the pure, cool, flowing waters – what would that fountain be, after all, without its bright streams?
O fons Bandusiæ! splendidior vitro! 3
(O fountain of Bandusia! more brilliant than crystal!)
