which was made, through the Eternal Spirit, without the Gates of Jerusalem, when by one Offering were perfected forever all them that are sanctified.

San Carlo al Corso designed by Pietro da Cortona, is one of the most beautiful Edifices in Rome. The Front, rising upon a flight of steps which runs its whole length, is formed by four three-quarter Columns of the Corinthian Order, sixty feet high, surmounted by a rich Pediment, over which in a side view the wellproportioned Dome may be seen from the Street, supported by clustered Columns, and terminating in an open Lantern and a gilded spire.

The Aisles, the Dome, and the Choir are finely proportioned, and everywhere

richly ornamented with Corinthian sculp ture, though it is here lavished with less profusion than is usual at Rome.

t

Where the Nave opens into the Dome, the eye is completely gratified with its aerial swell, lighted by eight or ten Windows, which glaze the clustered intercolumniations; and relieved by stuccoed roses terminating in an open Cupola.

On the right and left, at the terminations of the Transepts, are seen superb Frontispieces to the principal Altars, of the construction before described, but like the Body of this beautiful Church, less profusely, than elegantly adorned.

This elegant Structure being directly opposite to our Lodgings, I have some

times got up before day to observe the effect of darkness upon its distinct proportions, when faintly dissipated by the glimmering tapers of the morning mass, which in the winter solstice is celebrated before day-light..

The Interior of San Luigi de Francisi is similarly distributed, and more richly adorned-But you are tired of Churches -So am I; and I would break off directly did not the matchless Frescos of San Carlo a Catenari imperiously demand description.

This beautiful Edifice is a Dome of fifty feet diameter, branching on four sides into the Recesses formed by a Greek Cross. It is supported by superb Pilasters of the Corinthian Order, with

an

an Entablature of the richest sculpture, from which spring stuccoed Arches, the unity of whose majestic masses is no where disturbed by gilding.

In the four Angles of this charming Dome Domenichino has painted the Cardinal Virtues, with characteristic accompaniments. The Figures of Justice and Charity are peculiarly beautiful, and the colours of these exquisite performances seem endowed with indelible vividity: for they are as fresh as if laid on but yesterday, though they have not been painted less than two hundred years.

LETTER XV.

Palaces and Museums.

HE scite of the ancient Capitol is

THE

now occupied by the modern Town-. House; but you still approach it by the long ascent that has been so often trod by the Senate and People of Rome, in the days of the Consuls and the Cæsars.

It had been inclosed with Porticoes by the Conscript Fathers, whose Generals conquered the World; and Nero, who never fought with any thing but Beasts, had vainly erected in its centre a triumphal Arch.