us, dedicating it, as the Latin name briefly denotes, to Divine Wisdom. Its architecture indeed, is greatly inferior to that of a higher and more classical period; yet the effect is grand and im pressive, and the copola is admired as a bold and skilful effect of the art, while the seeming weight is diminished by the lightness of the materials, which are bricks formed of a particular clay that will float in the water. The interior is adorned with a profusion of marble columns of various beautiful descriptions, the purple Phrygian, green Spartan, red and white Carian, African of a saf. fron colour, and many other kinds. There is a very beautiful cathedral at Salerno, which, though less expressive, may be compared with the temple of Sancta Sophia in point of splendour, and in some part of it has a considerable resemblance to it. The temple of Sancta Sophia, however, has been less happy in its fate; for upon the triumph of the Ottomans, it was converted into a Turkish Mosque, and continues such to the present day. [Editor. SECTION XX. Monastery of Montserrat. MONTSERRAT is well known to be one of the most romantic mountains of Spain: it is situated in the vicinity of Barcelona, and has given its name to one of the Leeward Carabbee Islands from a s pposed resemblance to it. Towards the summit of this craggy and perpendicular steep, are erected a monastery and chapel dedi. cated to the Virgin Mary. The scenery is highly picturesque ; and from the difficulty of the ascent, it has long been resorted to by pilgrims, who wish to show a proof of their zeal and superiority to fatigue. It is inhabited by monks of several nations, who enter. tain gratuitously, for some days, all who visit them, whether from curiosity or devotion. The mountain is calculated at ten miles in circumference, and three thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea; towering over a hilly country like a pile of grotto-work, or Gothic spires. |