Birthday Party

All Italy celebrated the 2,678th birthday of the Eternal City, Rome. The Government having decreed, last year, that the anniversary of the founding of the city of the seven hills should be Italy's Labor Day, instead of May 1, stoppage of work was general all over the country.

This year, the custom of giving the city birthday presents was inaugurated. The Government gave the city another hill, that of Monte Mario; part of the Esquiline Hill, adjoining the Domus Aurea and the Baths of Trajan; the historical Villa Celimantana. All these are to be turned into beautiful gardens, thus completing a cercle jardinier around the city.

King Vittorio Emanuele opened to the public the newly excavated Forum of Augustus. In subterranean passages, the Royal party viewed the old State vaults which are said greatly to resemble those of the present Italian Treasury. Commenting upon their similarity, Finance Minister Alberto de Stefani laughingly said: "Like our vaults, there is no money in them."

It was a perfect birthday party except that there was no cake with 2,678 candles.