HORSE-RACING IN THE STREETS OF ROME.
During the yearly carnival festivities which were formerly held in Rome a race of riderless horses was organized on the Corso, which is one of the principal streets of Rome. The following account of it is given : "The Piazza del Populo is one mass of people. At one end, where the Corso begins, a rope is stretched, behind which a number of horses are placed. The animals are loose and riderless, and adorned with multi-coloured ribbons and feathers. At a given signal a tremendous shout is raised, the rope is lowered, and the excited beasts rush madly forward. The masqueraders shout at the top of their voices, and excite the horses by throwing flowers and other harmless objects ; and one can see in the picture an alchemist of old syringing one of the beasts as it passes. The owner of the winning horse received a piece of velvet, called " Palio," and was the holder of it for one year. Thus has the Corso gained its name from the races of the wild " Berberi."
