The in the centre of which is the chair deftined for the Doge, having oppofite to it a kind of writingtable; on each fide of the Doge is a chair for a fenator. The fides have feats for ten more fenators. When a noble has any matter to propose, a little chair is placed for him on the fame platform. This Salle is decorated with three very large pictures, by Solimene. One is partly hid by the Solimene. canopy placed over the Doge's chair; the fubject, The landing of Chriftopher Columbus in America, and the setting up of the Crofs. It does not appear finished, and the tranfition of the fhading is almost as fudden as from black to white. other end of the Salle represents the Proceffion of the ashes of St. John the Baptist entering Genoa in triumph. There is much confufion in the grouping of the figures, and the coloris has the fame fault with the firft. On the cieling is painted the Malacre of the children of the Juftiniani family (who were fovereigns of the island of Cyprus), by the command of the Emperor Solyman; it is almoft impoffible to diftinguish the figures fufficiently to judge of their merits or faults; the ofcuro is fo black, and there is so much of it, that you cannot diftinguifh the diftribution of the different objects; however, Cochin says much in its commendation. The cornice, frize, and the whole of the architecture, is not only falfe, but ridiculous. There are figures painted in both the Salles by Parodi, they are what the French Parodi. call in Grifaille, and have but a small share of Arfenal. merit in my opinion. So much for the Senate house. The Arfenal contains nothing very curious, Over the door of entrance appears one of those naval prows of iron, by the Romans called Refrums; it is thin, much worn, and fractured in feveral places; being hollow within, and projecting about eighteen inches, its termination feems to reprefent, in a rude manner, a wild boar's head; the following infcription is placed under: VETUSTIORIS HOC ÆVI ROMANI ROSTRUM IN The following palaces we could not fee; Brignolette, Caregha, Andrea Doria, and S. Pietro: the furniture, pictures, &c. of the two former are all taken down, and the property difputed between the two families, occafioned by a recent marriage; the married parties being at law for a part, or the whole of the moveables. The two latter are abfolutely refufed to ftrangers, for what reafon I could not discover. I believe I have already mentioned to you in a former letter, the reasons why we could not fee the Brigniolette; but if I have, you will excufe this repetition, as I always write amidst hurry, and interruptions. Before I mention the villas, or country-palaces, the bridge of Carignan and the Albergo di Poveri merit attention. This bridge conducts you to the church church of Carignan. The arches are of a ftupendous height, 240 Genoefe palms, and 30 broad [a palm here confifts of eight inches]. It unites a mountain to the town: and is faid to have been conftructed at the expence of an individual citizen, a defcendant of one of the founders of the church, in order to render the frequenting this church more convenient to his household. The Albergo is a building of great extent, and does Albergo. honour to the Genoefe; ferving at once for charitable uses, as well as for a houfe of correction. One wing is appropriated to the females, the other to the males; that for the females is divided amongst illegitimate females, legitimate orphans, and thofe children, who having loft either father or mother, are by fuch a misfortune deprived of the care, education, and maintenance they might otherwife have been entitled to: alfo the donne banditte, or diforderly women, and citizens wives and daughters of irregular lives, who have been previously condemned for their conduct by the court of the holy inquifition. Their confinement, or enlargement, after a limited time, is proportioned to their reformation, of which the inquifitor general is to judge. The ward of legitimate females confifts at prefent of 450; who are taught embroidery, knitting, and plain-work; are well clothed and fed, and often marry into rich burghers families; the tradefmen frequently feeking wives from amongit them; they being allowed to marry when application is made to the Dame of O 4 the the Mifericordia, who is always one of the first of the Noblesse, and who honours these girls with her care and protection. There is alfo a Chevalier, who accepts the like charge in regard to the males. These protectors are prefent at the marriageceremony; nor are the girls refused to return home to their relations or friends, when proper application is made for them. The men, the legitimate and illegitimate children, the donne banditte (who are quite feparate from the reft), poor old infirm people past their labour, and wha are here maintained during the remainder of their days, occupy three wings of this building; the fourth is for strangers, and the fervants of the Hofpital. Poor people, who cannot afford themfelves lodging-places, having previously proved to the council their neceffitous circumstances, obtain beds, for one night, and are always offered a bowl of foup, and a pound and a half of bread before they depart in the morning. All ftrangers of every country, and poor travellers, are allowed to lodge and eat as mentioned above. A priest feated, with a religieufe on either hand, remain the whole day in a kind of public hall, where they receive all proposals and complaints, and adjust accounts and differences, of which they make returns to the Dame, the Chevalier, and the council of five. The boys, who are about five hundred *This gentleman and lady are at the head of a council of five perfons, who are chofen from amongst the Noblesse, and are appointed to decide upon the deferts of these subjects. at at present, are taught all forts of handicrafts; and if they have no friends or relations to protect them, when fit to earn their bread, are set up in different trades, at the charge of the fund, which is very confiderable; many of the citizens having bequeathed great fums to this hofpital *. The chapel is built in the form of a cross; the altar ftanding in the middle. Here is a basso relievo by Michael Angelo, which is a chef d'œuvre. Michael Angelo. It represents a dead Christ and the Virgin, in the ufual attitude of that fubject, diftinguished in Italy by the name of a Pieta. We were fo ftruck with the tranfcendent perfection of this piece of fculpture, as to contemplate it in filence for near halfan hour, before we could find words to expatiate upon its amazing excellence. It is fcarce credible, that a mere mortal fhould arrive at fuch a height of perfection in this art, without the aid of fome fuperior order of beings. In short, was I to attempt to speak of it as it deferves, the idea you' would form muft fall fo fhort of the original, that I will not do it the injuftice to endeavour at a description. And where were thy eyes, O deceived Laland! This Frenchman speaks thus, vol. i. P. * The ftatues of the principal benefactors decorate this hospital. Those who have given all their wealth are represented fitting; others ftanding, and fome only in busto, according as they have bequeathed, to the amount of an hundred thousand livres, or more than twenty-five thoufand livres Genoefe. This distinction of fculpture is intended to encourage an emulation amongst the rich citizens. But all these statues are very indifferent performances, |