ST. PETER S OF ROME 
S97 
One hundred and twelve lamps are constantly 
^’'°und the tomb of this Saint ; and the high altar 
to it, on which the Pope alone reads mass, is over- 
ij, '‘u\vcd by a ceiling, which exceeds in loftiness that of 
VP^lace of Rome. The splendid sacristy was built by 
itj But by far tlie greatest ornaments of the interior 
(■'leK excellent works in mosaic, all copied from the most 
I ■j'fated pictures, which are thus guarded from oblivion. 
jL I great and truly awful dome of St. Peter’s is only two 
in diameter than that of the Pantheon, being one 
ped and thirty-seven feet ; but it exceeds the latter in 
hy twenty feet, being one hundred and fifty-nine 
besides the lantern, the basis pedestal of the top, 
!(|j globular top itself, and the cross above it, which, 
measure one hundred and twenty feet. The 
.1^. °f the church is ascended by easy steps ; and here the 
seems to have entered a small town, for he suddenly 
y bimself among a number of houses, which either 
repositories of implements and materials for repair- 
y'be church, or are inhabited by the workmen. The 
'lij at the foot of which he now arrives, appears to be 
yl^^rish-church of this town ; and the inferior domes 
‘5i^ as if intended only for ornaments to fill up the vacu- 
' Add to this, that he cannot see the streets of Rome, 
®unt of the surrounding high gallery', and its colossal 
j and the singularity of such a scene may be easily 
y^''’ed. It is besides said, tliat a market is occasionally 
I _ for tlie aerial inhabitants. 
y .‘*ough the adventurous stranger is now on the roof, he 
'><( ’ ^ a great height to ascend before he reaches the sum- 
ly'Ibcdome. Previously to his engaging in this enter- 
'y I'e is conducted to the inside gallery of the dome, 
y spot tlie people within the body of the church 
like children. 'I'he higher he goes, the more un- 
he finds himself, on account of the oblique 
» l^ (JVer the narrow staircase ; and he is often compelled 
'vith his whole body quite to one side. Several 
plates are affixed in lhc.se walls, containing the 
Vg distinguished personages who have had the 
V r ^ to ascend to the dome, and even to climb up to 
and the lop. I'he Emperor Joseph II. is twice 
t*Ued j and Paul 1. as Grand Duke. In some parts, 
