DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0098
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. HL
82
pillars in a very pleasing style of architecture.
Thence you pass into the ancient church, which,
from the increase of the ruins around, is now
become almost subterranean: it is a large vaulted
hall, once paved with mosaic, and seems from
the remains, to have been well furnished with
marble and paintings; it is now the receptacle
of damp unwholesome vapors, that tinge the
walls, and hover round the solitary tombs. A
few purple hats with their rich tassels, the in-
signia of the dignity of Cardinal, suspended from
the vaults, and tarnished with time and humidity,
cast a feeble unavailing ray of splendor on the
monuments of their departed possessors. The
spectator, cautioned by the chilness of the place
not to prolong his stay, contents himself with
casting a transient glance on the sullen scenery,
and returns to the splendid exhibition of the
temple above.
The church of St. Andrea in Monte Cavallo,
by Bernini, though so small as to deserve the
name of chapel only, is so highly finished and
so richly decorated that I should recommend it
to the attention of the traveller as peculiarly
beautiful. It was formerly, with the annexed
convent, the property of the Jesuits, who seldom
wanted either the means or the inclination to
impart splendor and magnificence to their estab-
Ch. HL
82
pillars in a very pleasing style of architecture.
Thence you pass into the ancient church, which,
from the increase of the ruins around, is now
become almost subterranean: it is a large vaulted
hall, once paved with mosaic, and seems from
the remains, to have been well furnished with
marble and paintings; it is now the receptacle
of damp unwholesome vapors, that tinge the
walls, and hover round the solitary tombs. A
few purple hats with their rich tassels, the in-
signia of the dignity of Cardinal, suspended from
the vaults, and tarnished with time and humidity,
cast a feeble unavailing ray of splendor on the
monuments of their departed possessors. The
spectator, cautioned by the chilness of the place
not to prolong his stay, contents himself with
casting a transient glance on the sullen scenery,
and returns to the splendid exhibition of the
temple above.
The church of St. Andrea in Monte Cavallo,
by Bernini, though so small as to deserve the
name of chapel only, is so highly finished and
so richly decorated that I should recommend it
to the attention of the traveller as peculiarly
beautiful. It was formerly, with the annexed
convent, the property of the Jesuits, who seldom
wanted either the means or the inclination to
impart splendor and magnificence to their estab-