mirror the columns which rise from it. Over this I walked to a door
that admitted me into the principal quadrangle of the convent,
surrounded by a cloister supported on Ionic pillars, beautifully
proportioned. A flight of stairs opens into the court, adorned with
balustrades and pedestals, sculptured with elegance truly Grecian.
This brought me to the refectory, where the chef-d'oeuvre of Paul
Veronese, representing the marriage of Cana in Galilee, was the first
object that presented itself. I never beheld so gorgeous a group of
wedding garments before; there is every variety of fold and plait
that can possibly be imagined. The attitudes and countenances are
more uniform, and the guests appear a very genteel, decent sort of
people, well used to the mode of their times and accustomed to
miracles.

Having examined this fictitious repast, I cast a look on a long range
of tables covered with very excellent realities, which the monks were
coming to devour with energy, if one might judge from their
appearance. These sons of penitence and mortification possess one of
the most spacious islands of the whole cluster, a princely
habitation, with gardens and open porticos, that engross every breath
of air; and, what adds not a little to the charms of their abode, is
the liberty of making excursions from it, whenever they have a mind.

The republic, wisely jealous of ecclesiastical influence, connives at
these amusing rambles, and, by encouraging the liberty of monks and
churchmen, prevents their appearing too sacred and important in the
eyes of the people, who have frequent proofs of their being mere
flesh and blood, and that of the frailest composition. Had the rest
of Italy been of the same opinion, and profited as much by Fra
Paolo's maxims, some of its fairest fields would not, at this moment,