founded by Paschal II. in 1099. Its interior consists of nave, aisles,
transept, and octagonal dome lavishly decorated by Bernini.
In the first chapel, to the right, the picture over the altar, the
Nativity of Jesus Christ, and the frescoes of the lunettes are by
Pinturicchio. The second chapel is that of the Cibo family--rich in
marbles, and adorned with forty-six columns of Sicilian jasper. The
picture of the Conception is by Maratta. The third chapel is painted
by Pinturicchio. In the fourth chapel is an interesting bas-relief of
the fifteenth century. The painting of the Virgin, on the high altar,
is one of those attributed to S. Luke; the paintings of the vault in
the choir are by Pinturicchio. The two monuments in marble ornamented
by statues are by Contucci da S. Savino. The last chapel but one, in
the small nave, is that of the Chigi family, and is one of the most
celebrated in Rome. Raphael gave the design for the dome, for the
paintings of the frieze, and for the picture of the altar, which was
commenced by Sebastiano del Piombo, and terminated by Francesco
Salviati. The statues of Daniel and Habakkuk were executed by Bernini.
The front of the altar and the statues of Elias and Jonah are by
Lorenzetti; but the design of the last is by Raphael.
THE CORSO (Il Corso).
Starting on our first ramble, we will take the line of the principal
street, the Corso, which takes its name from the races held during the
Carnival. It is on the line of the old Via Flaminia, the great
highroad which ran through the Campus Martius to the north. Many
handsome churches and palaces face the street, which is rather narrow
compared with our modern requirements. The Corso is the principal
promenade of the Romans, and possesses many points of interest. At No.
18, _on the left_, lived Goethe; just beyond, _on the right_, in the
short Via S. Giacomo, was Canova's studio. _On the right_, further
down, is the Church of S. Carlo; passing by which, crossing the line
of the Via Condotti, _on our right_ opens out the small square of S.
Lorenzo, in which is the