“It is situated almost in the centre of the city, and occupies part of the great square; it is of Gothic architecture, and its materials are white marble. In magnitude, this edifice yields to few in the universe. Inferior only to St. Peter’s of Rome; it equals in length, and in breadth surpasses the cathedrals of Florence and St. Paul’s: in the interior elevation, it yields to both; but in its exterior, it exceeds both; in its fretwork, carving, and statues, it goes beyond all churches in the world, St. Peter’s itself not even excepted. Its double aisles, its lofty arches, the lustre of its walls, its numerous niches all filled with marble figures, give it an appearance novel, even in Italy, and singularly majestic. In the front of the chancel, and almost immediately above the steps, rises on four additional steps the altar, and behind it the choir, in a semicircular form. The pillars of the cathedral of Milan are more than ninety feet in height, and about eighty in diameter. The dimensions of the church at large are as follow: in length, four hundred and ninety feet, in breadth, two hundred and ninety-eight, in interior elevation under the dome, two hundred and fifty-eight, and four hundred in exterior, that is, to the summit of the tower. The pavement is formed of marble of different colours, disposed in various patterns and figures. The number of niches are very great, and every niche has its statue, which, together with those placed on the ballustrade of the roof, are reported to amount to more than four thousand; and many among them are said to be of great merit.