3f>8

CHAP.

LXXI.

inunda-

tions.

THE DECLINE AND FALL

consumed; but the flames may play without in-jury or effect on the naked walls, and massyarches, that have been despoiled of their orna-ments.It is among the common and plebeianhabitations that a mischievous spark is mosteasily blown to a conflagration; but as soon asthey are devoured, the greater edifices, whichhave resisted or escaped, are left as so manyislands in a state of solitude and safety. Fromher situation, Rome is exposed to the danger offrequent inundations. Without excepting theTyber, the rivers that descend from either sideof the Apennine have a short and irregularcourse; a shallow stream in the summer heats;an impetuous torrent, when it is swelled in thespring or winter, by the fall of rain, and themelting of the snows. When the current is re-pelled from the sea by adverse winds, when theordinary bed is inadequate to the weight ofwaters, they rise above the banks,spread, without limits or control,and cities of the adjacent country,the triumph of the first Punic war,was increased by unusual rains; and the inun-dations surpassing all former measure of timeand place, destroyed all the buildings thatwere situate below the hills of Rome . Ac-cording to the variety of ground, the samemischief was produced by different means;and the edifices were either swept away bythe sudden impulse, or dissolved and un-dermined by the long continuance of the

and over-the plainsSoon afterthe Tyber