There were rows of vines twining around elms planted in fields of hemp, wheat, or clover.

In some places the vines and elms were replaced by mulberry-trees.

What mingled riches were here lavished by nature! How bounteous is the earth! Here were mingled together, in rich profusion, bread, wine, shirts, silk gowns, and forage for the cattle.

St.Peter's is a noble church, but, in its way, a well-cultivated field is a beautiful sight! I travelled slowly to Bologna; the sight of the country I passed through, and the fruitfulness of honest human labour, made me happy.

I retraced my steps towards St.Peter's; my melancholy returned when I found myself again amidst the desolation of the Roman Campagna.
As I reflected on what I had seen, a disquieting idea forced itself upon me in a geometrical form.