Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 4): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

Ch. IV.

THROUGH ITALY.

93

bank of the Po, at the foot of a ridge of fine hills,
rising southward beyond the river; while north-
ward extends a plain bounded by the Alps ascend-
ing sometimes in gigantic groups like battle-
mented towers, and at other times, presenting
detached points darting to the clouds like spires
glittering with unmelted icicles, and with snows,
that never yield to the rays of summer.
The interior of the town is not unworthy its
fame and situation ; its streets are wide and strait,
intersecting each other at right angles, and
running in a direct line from gate to gate,
through some large and regular squares. The
royal palace is spacious, and surrounded with de-
lightful gardens. There are many edifices, both
public and private, which present long and mag-
nificent fronts, and intermingled with at least one
hundred churches, give the whole city a rich and
splendid appearance. In the churches and pala-
ces, marble of every vein and color is lavished
with prodigality, and decorations of all kinds are
scattered with profusion; to such a degree indeed,
as to encumber rather than to grace these edifices.
Such are the general features of Turin, both grand
and airy. Among these features the four gates of
the city were formerly numbered,and as they were
adorned with pillars, and cased with marble, they
were represented as very striking and majestic