Two Journeys Through Italy and Switzerland (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ...is held in great reverence by the credulous multitude. It is believed that the body of St. Januarius is deposited here under a rotunda supported by forty-two marble columns; and as the story goes, an ounce of that blessed saint's blood is preserved in a phial, which retains its original vital colour, weight, and fluidity. Religious jugglers draw together the enthralled multitude three times in the year, to witness the liquefying of the tutelar saint's precious blood. If it is readily liquefied, good fortune is anticipated; but should any delay attend the operation, tears are shed, and prayers are offered up for the safety of the Neapolitans. The churches are numerous, although few of them display any purity of design or grandeur of style. Their interior is generally loaded with wretched images, tasteless gilding, and gaudy ornaments. As Forsyth judiciously remarks, "within they are spotted things, mere harlequins in marble, quite ugly with decoration." Santa Maria della Pieta is a church which contains some rare marbles of exquisite beauty; also three statues of Modesty, Vice, and a dead Christ of considerable merit. That of Modesty is covered with a veil, and extremely well executed. I was lately much delighted with an early visit to the church of St. Martin, beautifully situated on Monte Vomero. Mr. St. L., who proposed it to me, having ordered a carriage to call for us, we went there before breakfast. This church was formerly attached to the rich Certosini convent, now converted into a military hospital. The interior is composed of the most beautiful marbles, and it contains a great variety of paintings by different masters. The ceiling and upper part of the nave are painted with considerable depth of colour and spirit by 190 VIEW OF...