MOSCOW. 
129 
Rather more than two miles farther is another ci ™p. 
convent, less known, but more remarkable: it v 
contains within its walls a Gothic church, erected 
over a mount which is supposed to typify The 
Mountain of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. At 
the foot of the mount, and within it, is a small 
chapel, containing figures, executed in wax, to 
represent the resurrection of Lazarus. This ex- 
traordinary work has been planned by Plato, 
archbishop of Moscow, who resides there, and 
under whose inspection the whole was executed. 
The place is called Bethany. 
But the most remarkable edifice, as it affords Church of 
St. Basil. 
a striking monument of national manners, is the 
Church of St. Basil, near the Kremlin. It is a 
complete specimen of the Tahtar taste in build- 
ing; and was erected by Ivan Basilovich the 
Second, in 1538. To add to the singularity of its 
history, it was the workmanship of Italian archi- 
tects. Its numerous and heavy cupolas, sur- 
mounted by gilded crucifixes, exhibit a striking 
contrast of colour and ornament. Pious indivi- 
duals bequeath legacies towards the perpetual 
gilding or painting of this or that dome, according 
to their various fancies ; so that it is likely to 
remain a splendid piece of patch-work for many 
generations. In order to account for the origin 
of this building, and for the Tahtarian style exhi- 
VOL. i. 
K 
