. Portions of a Latin inscription in very large letters are distinctly visible in the entrance, and an early fresco of the Virgin occupies a niche in the fašade. The twelve columns of the interior have capitals of various designs, and an inverted Corinthian capital supports the font. A beautiful pulpit in gesso, referred to by several writers on art in Southern Italy, was given in 1300 by Filippo Spina, whose arms were intertwined with arabesque designs, while on the marble staircase was an inscription commemorating a festa held in 1420-the whole richly worked and, delicately coloured. The donor died in 1346, and was buried in San Giovanni at Pontone. In 1855 this pulpit was pulled down by the parish priest of the day, and ground to powder, to mix with lime for building purposes.
The crypt is in a neglected state, but contains an extremely interesting fresco. In the upper part the Virgin, draped in red and violet, reclines, holding the Infant Jesus swathed with bands of red and yellow, an open country and mountains forming the background. In another part two women are bathing the child, while St. Joseph sits absorbed in contemplation. An archangel announces the birth to the shepherds, groups of angels hover near, and over all stream the rays of a large star. Other figures adorn the vaulted roof, the names of St. George and St. Nicholas being in Lombard characters. Two lower spaces represent a' scene probably taken from real life. A Saracen prince is waited on by two Arabs and a boy, the former turbaned, the latter apparently a captive; and in the second fresco the same lad is led by a bishop into the presence of some people who sit at dinner, while two women approach, one gesticulating to express her astonishment, and the other hastening to embrace him. In both pictures the youth bears a globe, apparently of glass, the object or use of which is unknown.
Scala is now only a scattered village on the slope of the wooded mountains, on the summit of which are the ruins of the Castello del Petraro, built to command the road from Gragnano by Santa Maria dei Monti. It is not easy to imagine the city described by old writers, who consider it more ancient than Amalfi or Ravello. It is said to have possessed a theatre and other important buildings. The fortifications included a hundred towers, and the upper part of the town still bears the name of Campidoglio, the "capitol." Its merchants were known in all countries, and here Gerard, the founder of the order of St. John of Jerusalem, was born. Chiefly by the exertions of the inhabitants of this Costiera, two hospitals for pilgrims were founded at Jerusalem, and in the chapel attached to these, and dedicated to S. Giovanni, Gerard officiated as chaplain. The bishopric, founded in 987, was in 1603 united to that of Ravello.
The Cathedral of S. Lorenzo has too often undergone alterations to retain much that is interesting ; but the crypt has remained untouched, and here is the tomb of Marianella Rufolo, wife of Antonio Coppola, who died in 1400. This monument is one of the most remark-able of that time. It is made of gesso, and bears traces of rich colouring. On either side a column of three stories of different design rests on a lion and is surmounted by a statue of Enoch or Elijah.
Other figures and graceful designs capable of many symbolical interpretations abound. The Burial of the Virgin is beautifully moulded. The body rests upon a sheet upheld by two persons, the disciples standing round the tomb, on the edge of which is the Archangel Michael, who has just severed the hands from a person falling down in front of the group. St. John of Damascus says that an unbelieving Jew attempted profanely to touch the body of the Virgin, when his hands miraculously became withered. In connection with this we may note that the Emperor Frederick II, in his Code of Laws, enacted that violators of sepulchres and despoilers of the dead should have their hands cut off.
A mitre is preserved here, adorned with effigies of saints in enamel, precious stones and pearls, given to the church by Charles o