io and Helvidio,
whose writings and preachings tended to shake the belief in the
virginity of the Saviour's mother. The occurrence is thus described:

"The night immediately preceding the feast of the Annunciation, the
archbishop entered the church, surrounded by several of the clergy. As
they entered, the cathedral appeared filled with a brilliant light.
Those who accompanied the saint, overcome with terror, turned and fled.
Remaining alone, he advanced to the foot of the high altar, and fell on
his knees; when, on the chair from which it was his custom to deliver
his exhortations to the people,--clothed in more than human
majesty--appeared the mother of Christ, who addressed him in the
following words:--'This gift, brought from Heaven, shall be the reward
of the virginity which thou hast preserved in thy body, joined with
purity of mind, and ardour of faith; and for having defended our
virginity.'

"Having thus spoken, she placed on him, with her own hands, a robe,
which she commanded him to wear on the celebration of her festivals, and
those of her Son."

The representations of this scene, from which is derived the claim of
superior sanctity assumed by this cathedral, are multiplied both in
marble and on canvas in all parts of the edifice, as well as in almost
all the churches of Toledo. In most cases, the execution of them has
been intrusted to unskilful hands. The best specimen is that executed in
marble over the small altar I have just noticed. It is remarkable for
the graceful and good-humoured expression of the Virgin, and the easy,
almost merry, demeanour of her celestial attendants.

The marble box which contains the Host is let into the altar-piece, of
which it appears to form a part of the surface, only projecting slightly
as its sides are convex. Turning on a pivot, it presents four different
fronts, each representing, in well executed relief, a different scene in
the Virgin's life.

LETTER X.

CAFES. WEDDING CEREMONY. CATHEDRAL CONTINUED. ALCAZAR HOSPITAL OF SANTA
CRUZ. CONVENT OF LA CONCEPTION. MYSTERIOUS CAVERN. CONVENT OF SANTA FE,
OR OF SANTIAGO. SONS-IN-LAW OF THE CID.

Toledo.

One of the first contrasts between this and other countries, which
forces itself on the observation, is the amalgamation of the different
classes of society in public places of resort. The grandee is far too
sure of his personal importance and consideration, to entertain any fear
of its being diminished by c