146 EAMBLES OF A NATUKALISX. 



with its ancient cathedral, founded by the early 

 Norman kings ; while high above, in the distant 

 background, rose the magnificent mountain range, 

 which encircles this rich landscape as in a frame^ 

 stretching for many miles into the interior of the 

 island. Rising in six distinct slopes, these mountain 

 chains exhibit, at an altitude of more than 4000 

 feet above the sea, their rugged sides and sharply 

 defined peaks, still covered, when we first saw them, 

 with the winter's snow. Sloping downward in a 

 semicircle, as if to embrace and defend the open 

 valley at their base, these Alpine ranges project on 

 either side, at ten miles' distance from one another, 

 far into the sea, terminating on the left in Cape 

 Zafarano, which protects with its compact masses the 

 palaces of Bagaria, and on the right in the Capo 

 di Gallo, whose bright limestone summit glittered 

 in the light more than 1800 feet above our heads, 

 while adjoining it rises Mount Pellegrino among 

 whose precipices winds the steep road leading to 

 Saint Rosalia's cave. * Sheltered by these colossal 



situated upon a projecting spur of the mountain, overlooking a 

 magnificent valley, and is one of the most beautiful and curious 

 architectural monuments of Sicily. Its bronze gates, covered with 

 bas-reliefs, are justly celebrated. The interior is almost entirely 

 lined with mosaics, while the pavement is formed of porphyries, 

 and many-coloured marbles. The church contains several mauso- 

 leums, amongst others those of William the Good, and of his father 

 William the Bad, and here also is preserved the heart of St. Louis. 

 The convent of the Benedictines, which is annexed to the church, 

 possesses the best painting by Pietro Novell!, the Raphael of Sicily. 

 It represents St. Benedict, the founder of the Order, distributing 

 bread to his disciples. 



* This holy patroness of Sicily, for whom every good Sicilian 



