IN THE EUROPEAN ATMOSPHERE -1853 -1856 551 



the appointed hour, the teacher appeared, and in the per 

 son of the priest himself. Thenceforward he stuck to the 

 young American like a brother, kept him away from the 

 rest of us as much as possible, and served not only as his 

 teacher, but as his cicerone. 



Among various dignitaries to whom he presented the 

 young American was his Eminence Cardinal Tosti; and 

 when the cardinal extended his hand to be kissed, Jack 

 grasped and cordially shook it. The two clerical gentle 

 men were evidently disconcerted; but the priest said to 

 the cardinal, in an undertone, &quot;E un principe Ameri 

 cano, whereupon the cardinal seemed relieved and shook 

 hands heartily. 



One day, when the priest was not with our companion, 

 we all visited one of the basilicas, where some great func 

 tion was going on, and, though we found a crowd at 

 the doors, obtained a sight of the high altar, and 

 there, in magnificent attire, in the midst of the great 

 prelates, was a person who bore a most striking resem 

 blance to Jack s clerical guide. We were all struck by 

 this curious coincidence, but concluded that in the dis 

 tance and through the clouds of incense we had simply 

 seen a chance resemblance, and in the multitude of mat 

 ters we soon forgot it. A month afterward, as we were 

 leaving Eome, Jack asked his new friend for his bill, 

 whereupon the priest drew himself up with a superb ges 

 ture and, presenting his card, said: &quot;You evidently do 

 not know who I am.&quot; The card bore the inscription, 

 &quot;Monsignor Cataldi, Master of the Papal Ceremonies.&quot; 

 The young American was quite confounded, but listened 

 submissively while this dignitary expressed the hope that 

 they might yet meet within the pale of that church which 

 alone could give a claim to salvation. 



The condition of Eome at that period was not such as 

 to induce much respect for priestly government. Any 

 thing more dirty, slipshod, and wretched could hardly 

 be imagined. No railways had yet been allowed; the 

 Vatican monsignori feeling by instinct the truth stated 



