DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61893#0330
302 CLASSICAL TOUR CA.VIII.
The square before the church, formed princi-
pally of the apostolical palace the residence of
the bishop, and of the canons and the peniten-
tiaries, is in a very grand style of architecture.
The treasury was formerly a subject of admi-
ration and astonishment to all travellers, who
seemed to attempt but in vain to describe, not
the gold and silver only, but the gems and the
diamonds that glittered on every vase, and daz-
zled the eyes with their splendor. Long cata-
logues were produced of the names of Emperors,
Kings, Potentates and Republics, who had con-
tributed to augment this immense accumulation
of wealth with additional offerings, and some
surprise was expressed, that the Turk or some
hardy pirate tempted by the greatness of the
booty, and by the facility of the conquest, did
not assault the town, and endeavor to enrich
himself with the plunder. But such was the
supposed sanctity of the place, such the religious
awe that surrounded it, that even the Turks
themselves beheld it with veneration, and the
inhabitants reposed with confidence under the
tutelar care of the Virgin Patroness. Once, in-
deed, the infidels made a bold attempt to assault
the sanctuary of Loretto; but, like the Gauls
under Brennus presuming to attack the temple
of Delphi, they were repulsed by tremendous
The square before the church, formed princi-
pally of the apostolical palace the residence of
the bishop, and of the canons and the peniten-
tiaries, is in a very grand style of architecture.
The treasury was formerly a subject of admi-
ration and astonishment to all travellers, who
seemed to attempt but in vain to describe, not
the gold and silver only, but the gems and the
diamonds that glittered on every vase, and daz-
zled the eyes with their splendor. Long cata-
logues were produced of the names of Emperors,
Kings, Potentates and Republics, who had con-
tributed to augment this immense accumulation
of wealth with additional offerings, and some
surprise was expressed, that the Turk or some
hardy pirate tempted by the greatness of the
booty, and by the facility of the conquest, did
not assault the town, and endeavor to enrich
himself with the plunder. But such was the
supposed sanctity of the place, such the religious
awe that surrounded it, that even the Turks
themselves beheld it with veneration, and the
inhabitants reposed with confidence under the
tutelar care of the Virgin Patroness. Once, in-
deed, the infidels made a bold attempt to assault
the sanctuary of Loretto; but, like the Gauls
under Brennus presuming to attack the temple
of Delphi, they were repulsed by tremendous