CHAPTER XI.
AVILA AND ALVA.
After a clean and plenti&l break&st in the cottage, our party started by train for Avila, where they arrived at one o'clock ; and having washed and dressed, found themselves at vespers at the cathedral, which is a beautifiil Gothic build- ing, begun in 1107, with a glorious western facade, a very fine circular apse at the east end, grand monuments, and magnificent painted glass. The 'retablo' over the high altar is in better taste than almost any in Spain, and contains some beauti- fully carved subjects, especially one of the 'An- nunciation/ Both this cathedral and the clois- ters are built of a peculiar shaded red and white granite, unlike any other, but which gives rather the effect of the cathedral of Sienna. After vespers, some of the party went to the arch- bishop's, who was absent on a confirmation tour, but had left orders that they should be received, boarded, and lodged at his palace, and had desired
