Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Life At Rome, Italy NEARLY a week elapsed before Mrs. Merton was able to tell Margaret and John of Raphael's life in Rome. One day after dinner, she told the children that she would finish the story. "Well, children," said Mrs. Merton, "do you remember what I am to tell you to-day?" "Yes, I know," said Margaret. "You said you would tell us about Raphael's life in Rome." "John, why did Raphael go to Rome?" asked Mrs. Merton. "The Pope of Rome, Julius II., heard of his wonderful paintings, and he sent for him to decorate the Vatican," answered John. "Mamma," said Margaret, "what is the Vatican?" "The Vatican, my dear, is the palace where the Pope lives. It is a very large building and contains many beautiful paintings, fine sculpture, a great library, and a museum. Itis one of the great attractions for all visitors who go to Rome. Here is a picture of it. You see what a beautiful great palace it is!" said Mrs. Merton. "I know where Rome is," said John. "It is in Italy. It was the greatest city in the world." "That is right, John," said Mrs. Merton. "Rome is a great city, and contains many treasures. If Raphael was delighted with Florence, what must have been his joy to be in Rome. Can you imagine how proud he felt? He must have exclaimed:— "I am in Rome! Oft as the morning ray Visits the eyes, waking at once, I cry, . Whence this excess of joy? What has befallen me? And from within a thrilling voice replies :— 'Thou art in Rome." "When Raphael went to this great city he was about twenty-five years old. Although he was younger than his masters, his paintings were more wonderful. He showed so much thought and talent in his work that the Pope was greatly pleased." Vatican, Rome "Does thePope always live in Rome?" asked Margaret. "Yes, he li...