erected by, and containing the tomb of, Sixtus V. It was lately
restored by Pius IX., who was to have had his temporary resting-place
here, behind the altar. The altar is a representation of the tomb of
our Saviour at Jerusalem, and is a splendid piece of workmanship.
Beneath it is preserved part of the manger. Opposite the lower altar
is a statue of S. Gaetano, by Bernini. The frescoes of the dome,
representing the hosts of heaven, are beautifully executed by Podesti.
The monument to Sixtus V. is by Valsoldo; that to Paul V. by L. de
Sarzana. The bas-reliefs represent historical subjects of the two
pontificates.
_Leaving the church by the end opposite to that by which we entered_,
we find ourselves in the piazza, which contains a handsome column,
taken from the Basilica of Constantine by Paul V. It is surmounted by
a figure in bronze representing the Virgin. The column is forty-seven
feet high, without the base and capital. _On the left of the church is
the_