Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 3): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

Ch. XV.

THROUGH ITALY.

513

excite an apprehension lest the tribute which we
wish to offer to virtue and wisdom, should be
erroneously directed to the putrid dust of some
northern invader, or of some half savage JLon-
gobard.
CHIARAVALLE.
About four miles from Pavia stands the abbey
of Chiaravalle, once celebrated for its riches and
magnificence. It belonged to the Carthusian
monks, and on the suppression of the order by
the Emperor Joseph, it passed with a property
of twenty thousand pounds per annum to go-
vernment ; of this sum about Jive, hundred pounds
per annum was annexed to the hospital of Pavia;
of the disposal of the remainder, equally appro-
priate and benevolent without doubt, there is, I
believe, at present nothing on record. A fine
avenue of limes and poplars shedding a religious
gloom on the traveller as he drives under them,
leads to the arched entrance opening into a
spacious court, with the church full in front.
This edifice is of Gothic and Saxon intermingled;
its walls are of solid white marble, lined within
with various kinds of precious stones. Sculp-
ture and carving, whether in marble, gems, or
metals, are here displayed in all their pomp, and
oftentimes, in all their excellency. Ornaments
VOL. Ill, L L.