34 TRAVELS THROUGH 



caverns of thofe calcareous mountains. The ctfr- 

 nice of the frontifpiece at the beautiful new Jefuit 

 church at Venice, being built of Pietra d'ljtria, 

 gives a ftriking evidence of its eafy diflblution, 

 by a great many hanging ftalaHtes which flick 

 to it, and have been, in a few years, produced by 

 the foaking and diftilling rain water. They are 

 forming in the fame manner in the fubterraneous 

 caverns of this calcareous ftone, whofe grain and 

 mixture fcems to be very fubject to diflblution. 



The flreets and bridges at Venice are paved with 

 black, grey, and red lavas, from the Euganeari- 

 hills near Padua, in which frequently appear white 

 fmall polygon fherl-cryftals, and black fmall fherl- 

 fcales. The red and yellow Veronefe-marble is 

 much employed in gate-pofts, tables, chimnies, 

 or other architectonical ornaments. 



Before I clofe this letter, I fhall juft mention 

 to you an excellent collection of models, of the 

 beft fculptures and ftatues in Italy *. It is in the 

 palace of Mr. Farfetti at Venice ; and 1 trefpaflcd 

 on our agreement refpefting the finer arts, only 

 to make you take due notice of it when you 

 come to Venice. 



* It la rather a more valuable colle&ion of plaifters formed 

 over the originals ; Xuch as that of the inllitute at Bologna, 

 given by Pope Lambertini, and another of that kind lately 

 eftablifhed by the Eleftor Palatine at Manhcihi in Germany. 



LET- 



