MODEL OF THE COLISEUM.
A MOST complete and beautiful model of the Coliseum at Rome, as it appeared in its perfect state, is exhibiting at the Cosmorama Rooms, Regent Street. It is on the scale of one sixtieth part ; and conveys an idea of the magnitude of this stupendous monument of Roman magni- ficence, and of the admirable arrangements for the convenience of the spectators, such as no picture or description could furnish. Not only the architectural proportions and decorations, but the whole plan of the building, from the substructions to the awning that sheltered the spectators, including the lobbies or ambulacra and staircases, one hun- dred and sixty in number, that led to their respective vomitories in the different rows of seats, are all distinctly traceable. The perfection of these arrangements may be inferred from the fact that this vast amphi- theatre might be vacated by the whole multitude of one hundred and ten thousand persons in ten minutes. The contrivances for ibtrodueing the wild beasts into the arena are no less ingenious : they were led from the menagerie in the neighbourhood, through a subterranean pas- sage, into the cells in the basement ; where, being pet into cages, they were in an instant raised, by means of traps like those on the stages of our theatres, into the arena, to the number of a hundred beasts at once; the cage opening of itself when it reached the floor, the animals rushed out, and the cages were let down. The lowest range of seats was the podium, twenty-five feet above the arena; in u projecting part . of which sat the Emperor on a throne, surrounded by his court, and having the vestal virgins behind him ; the priests, consuls, senators, and magis- trates, seated on chairs, occupying the rest of the oval. Then rose the three classes of meniana, or marble benches ; the first for the patri- cians, the second for the equestrian order, or military and foreigners of note, arid the third for the ladies. These held 85,000 persons; the gallery, where the people stood in a crowd, containing 25,000. Arty thing more simple, and at the same time more perfectly adapted to its purpose, and withal more beautiful in its effect, cannot be imagined. With the exception of the plebeians, who seem not to have been cared for, every individual in the immense assembly could :sit in comfort, reach and leave his seat at pleasure, and see as well as the Emperor.
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