will burst thy bonds in sunder," with others from the Bible and from the Apocrypha.

Opposite the figure of Vice stands Virtue, as delicately carved, but the design is not so clear and striking as its opposite. Behind the altar is a piece of statuary representing Christ giving sight to the blind. It is of one piece of marble, and is fifteen feet high and eight feet wide, and is an object of study and admiration to the Christian and artist.

Hurrying out of this chapel, we went into a church which had once been used as a pagan temple, and around which yet lingered the memorials of paganism. The altar was covered with vases of silver flowers, six feet high. Paintings and sculpture were displayed to advantage. One fine painting represented the burial of the apostle Paul. He was dressed in ecclesiastical habits, and several shaven-headed monks were putting him into a splendid coffin. If Paul had known that he would have fallen into the hands of monks after his death, I doubt whether he would have said, "To die is gain."

We next came to an edifice which our guide called the Church of the Black Prince; and, before I came out, I thought he was correct. A monk met us at the door, and took us around among the bowing worshipers, to show us the pictures and statues. He made more noise and talked louder than his brother priest who was at the altar. We followed him, clattering over the marble pavement, stepping over the legs of the kneeling penitents, clearing as well as we could the rich dresses of the ladies, and behaving as well as we could under the circumstances. We went into the sacristy, behind the altar, where is an ivory crucifix six feet high and one foot wide, several fine paintings by

the old masters, and boxes and drawers for the robes of the priests. As well prepared as I was for any display of duplicity on the part of the priests, I was surprised at the want of gravity and decorum of these men, when, as their work was done, they came into the sacristy to exchange their gewgaw garments for the robes of the monks. The whole appearance of things in this church was bad. Vice seemed to sit throned in priestly robes; the church was a playground; the priests actors and showmen. Pagan idolatry was outshone by Papal pride. I saw an altar boy dipping his bread in a basin of consecrated water, and taking up the sacred fluid, and drinking it from his hands. There was not even the show of decency on the part of the priests, and a company of low actors in a theater dressroom could not have exhibited less signs of piety.

We next went to the cathedral. This structure appears more modern than many others, in consequence of having been repaired. It was formerly a pagan temple, and near the door at which we entered was an urn which once contained the blood shed in sacrifices. This church is the center of Papal influence in Naples. The principal object of interest is St. January's Chapel, which is a small room, separated from the nave by a brass gate, which, we were told, required the labor of two men forty-five years to build it. The interior of the chapel is very richly finished; the dome small, but very superb. The altar is of gold and precious stones, and nothing but a fee will uncover it. In the sacristy are kept forty-six silver busts, as large as life, of St. Antonio, John the Baptist, and others. These busts belong to other churches, and on the various feast days are carried out in procession. Behind a statue of St. January is an oratory, where a golden bust of the saint

and a bottle of his blood are kept. It was told us that, when St. January was killed for his love to Jesus, a woman caught his blood, and preserved it. A part of the blood was taken to Spain, and the remainder to Naples. The portion brought to Naples was bottled, and, with the golden bust which contains the skull of the saint, or somebody else, is shut up in a silver tabernacle. The bust is separated from the blood; and it was told us that, when the skull and the blood are brought into contact, a miracle is produced. The coagulated blood liquefies as soon as it is brought to the bust. The dead skull owns the dry substance, and responds to its appeal. The miracle is performed three times every year the first eight days of May, the first eight days of September, and the 16th of December, which is the annual feast day of the saint. Our profane eyes were not allowed, of course, to see this sacred blood, which is guarded with great care. There are two ponderous locks to the tabernacle; one key is kept by the bishop, and the other by the governor of Naples; and if one lock is picked, the other remains safe. The whole chapel is full of relics and statues of great worth, and must have cost an immense sum of money. The gate alone cost about thirty thousand dollars, or thirty-two thousand ducats. The high altar, an immense block of porphyry, with cornices of silver inlaid with gold, and the paintings, many of which are by the famous Domenichino, must have been purchased at a vast expense.

I presume we might have seen other relics, and perhaps witnessed some of the miracles, if we had been willing to have paid the price. The Italian priests will perform almost any miracle, if you will pay them enough to rig out the machinery. Money is the key

which unlocks the doors of churches, shows you the way into convents, makes you acquainted with priests, and takes you into every place of interest; and I doubt not some of the monks would undertake to procure you some of the veritable blood of our divine Savior for a good round sum.

It is a wonder how so many men of apparent goodness and undoubted scholarship can be deceived by the priests and monks. Their tricks and artifices are so shallow, their miracles are so absurd, their pretensions are so preposterous, that we, who have been educated under the influence of the Bible, fail to see how intelligent men can be so blinded. The delusion of the people is a striking illustration of the influence of early education and the force of long-standing usages and precedents. Well, mind must wake up ere long. God speed the day!

XXV.

CATACOMBS-CEMETERY-TOMB OF VIRGIL.

THE catacombs are the sepulchers of ages, and one trembles as he enters the dim and dark vestibule. These catacombs are dug out under hills, through rocks and ledges, and extend into the country for miles around. They are excavations, made at first, probably, for the sand and stone which were taken out, and at length were converted into sepulchers, and finally were the abodes of darkness to which the afflicted Christians fled in the times of bloody persecutions. The main entrance to the catacombs is reached by passing along through a pile of buildings used for charitable purposes. On one side of the street or passage is an institution for aged and indigent men, and on the other a similar charity for orphan girls. These men and girls are let out for service sometimes, but more generally as mourners at funerals. They are employed in great numbers to weep, and wail, and groan, in which delightful work they succeed after a short course of instruction. On such occasions, the men are dressed in a peculiar uniform, consisting of a blue cloak and mourning hat. They carry a halberd and a small banner, with the coat of arms or the name of the deceased upon it. The girls are designed for nuns on their becoming of sufficient age, but are often sold by the church to make wives for those who cannot secure partners in any other way. A rich gentleman