Son of God, whose advent was made known to him from the Sibylline Books.[1]
On the opposite side of the church is another pretty sight. There stands a table, on which are raised one after another a number of little children, chiefly girls, who recite with suitable action and much dramatic effect, verses in honour of the Child. This they do for several days each year at the Christmas season.
(2) Sta. Maria in Portico (Naples).—This contains one of the finest Presepe. It fills nearly half one side of the church. In the centre is a very large grotto, wherein are the Holy Family in the usual position. Above, just inside, a dove hovers, from which shine golden rays diverging inwards. There are five Wise Men, one kneeling. Around are archways, meant for the doors of houses, at which are peasants standing, many bearing gifts of vegetables or fruit. Some of the scenes are realistic—a lad sleeping on the straw in a straw hut; or an osteria, with a large bottle and glass on a table. All about, above the grotto, over the hills and far away, come flocking the devout, peering over the side to catch a glimpse, tripping daintily down a hill-path, in all sorts of postures and positions. Flocks of sheep graze hard by; horses and mules, dogs, and other animals, are seen here and there. In the air are hosts of flying cherubs and angels holding muslin festoons, or maybe a scroll with Gloria in Excelsis.
There are thirty-six figures in this tableau, life-size, made of wood, cleverly carved and coloured, and clothed in real dresses. The peasants wear the country dress ; the Magi, as usual, Oriental costume, carefully studied from pictures. Two of the figures represent the artist and his wife; she is a beautiful woman, in modern festa costume, surrounded by a flock of very woolly sheep.
(3) Franciscan Church and Convent of Piedigrotta.—The Presepio here was on a smaller scale, but worth seeing. The figures are about 2 feet high, but all in perfect pro-
- ↑ See Lanciani, Pagan and Christian Rome, p. 25.
