They are here furnished with nunneries and monasteries to the number of sixty odd, most of which are loftily built, and add the greatest grace to the structure of the city. In the college of _St. Nicholas_ I observed the pictures of our five _Jesuits_, who were executed for the popish plot, with a specious account when, and how, they were crowned with martyrdom for the profession of the faith in _England_. In the nunnery of _Sta. Maria della Scala_ they shew a stone sculpture of the _Virgin_ and our _Savior_, which they verily beleive to have been taken from the life. In the cathedral church there are twelve noble figures of the _Apostles_, exquisitely carved in clear and costly marble. The isle, which composes the body of the church, is ranged on each side with thirteen stately pillars, twelve of which are antient of the Corinthian order, brought formerly from a temple of _Neptune_, that stood near the promontory _Pelórus_. There are here three gaudy altars, that want nothing, which art or expence could contribute to adorn them; for below they are set with work of _lapis lazuli_, and above are covered with cupolas of true mosaic. But over the high altar, at the east end of the cathedral, is preserved in golden characters, and embellished with a rich variety of other ornaments, one of the greatest delusions in all popery. It is a letter, which according to the tradition of this church was sent to the _Messanians_ by the _B. Virgin_, upon their conversion by St. _Paul_, soon after he touched at _Rhegium_. It is reasonably concise, and therefore I shall venture to trouble you with the words, as faithfully transcribed. _Maria Virgo, Joachim filia, Dei humillima, Christi Iesu crucifixi mater, ex tribu Juda, stirpe David, Messanensibus omnibus salutem, et Dei Patris Omnipotentis benedictionem._ _VOS omnes fide magna legatos ac nuncios per publicum documentum ad nos misisse constat. Filium nostrum, Dei genitum, Deum et hominem esse fatemini, et in caelum post suam resurrectionem ascendisse_, Pauli _Apostoli electi praedicatione mediante, viam veritatis agnoscentes. Ob quod vos et ipsam civitatem benedicimus, cujus perpetuam protectricem nos esse volumus. Anno Filii nostri_ XLII. _Ind._ 1. 3 _nonas Junii_. _Luna_ XXVII. V. _Ex_ Hierosolymis. Maria Virgo. _Quae supra hoc chirographum approbavit._