A VISIT TO LA VERNIA 



opposite the Virgin, bears a striking resemblance to 

 the well-known head of S. Giovanni Gualberto in 

 the Vallombrosa altar-piece by Perugino, and shows 

 how near this artist in terra-cotta came to the highest 

 achievements of the best Umbrian masters. In re- 

 finement of type and sincerity of devotional emotion, 

 Andrea della Robbia's sorrowing saints yield to none 

 of his contemporaries' creations, while the twenty- 

 three cherub-heads, each different and each instinct 

 with life, set in the frame of the altar-piece, have all 

 the charm and innocent grace which belong to Luca's 

 children. 



After showing us many other smaller chapels, our 

 guide led us down rudely cut steps to different caves 

 hidden in the rock, each hallowed by the presence of 

 Francis, or by the memory of some heavenly vision 

 which appeared to him. The peasants and children 

 who accompanied us listened intently to the glowing 

 language in which the monk described each separate 

 incident of the story, and falling on their knees re- 

 peated a Pater Noster and Gloria Patri devoutly after 

 him. 



Our courteous guide was now summoned away to 

 attend to other duties, but before taking his leave, 

 he led us across the piazza to the guest chamber, 

 where we were hospitably entertained by a lay-brother. 

 We had a companion at dinner in the person of the 



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