Like that, too, they were provided with coachmen of mighty breadth, and enormously tall footmen, in immense powdered wigs, and all the splendor of gold-laced, three cornered hats, and embroidered silk coats and breeches.

By the old-fashioned magnificence of this procession, it might worthily have included his Holiness in person, with a suite of attendant Cardinals, if those sacred dignitaries would kindly have lent their aid to heighten the frolic of the Carnival.

But, for all its show of a martial escort, and its antique splendor of costume, it was but a train of the municipal authorities of Rome,--illusive shadows, every one, and among them a phantom, styled the Roman Senator,--proceeding to the Capitol.
The riotous interchange of nosegays and confetti was partially suspended, while the procession passed.

One well-directed shot, however,--it was a double handful of powdered lime, flung by an impious New Englander,--hit the coachman of the Roman Senator full in the face, and hurt his dignity amazingly.

It appeared to be his opinion that the Republic was again crumbling into ruin, and that the dust of it now filled his nostrils; though, in fact, it would hardly be distinguished from the official powder with which he was already plentifully bestrewn.
While the sculptor, with his dreamy eyes, was taking idle note of this trifling circumstance, two figures passed before him, hand in hand.