ST. PETERS DAY. 



35 



iiant. After the service, we recognised a party 

 of ladies with whom we were acquainted, and 

 one of them requested us to look for a young 

 priest, her son ; on making enquiries, we were 

 desired to walk up stairs into a large room over 

 the vestry, in which were several priests, and a 

 table covered with refreshments of many descrip- 

 tions. The young man came to us, and was 

 soon followed by others, who invited us to stay 

 and partake, but we declined and went down to 

 the party we had joined ; some of the priests 

 accompanied us, and persuaded the ladies to 

 ascend, and have a share of the good things ; 

 we were also requested to return, which we did. 

 There were great quantities of fruit, cakes, sweet- 

 meats, and wine. We met with the most marked 

 attention from these ministers of the Roman 

 •Catholic religion ; greater politeness could not. 

 have been shown to any person ; even many with 

 whom we had not been acquainted before, offered 

 us wine, and requested to be introduced to us. 

 I mention the conduct of these men more par- 

 ticularly, as I think it showed a great degree of 

 liberality, and a wish to conciliate, and more 

 especially as there were likewise several laymen 

 present of their own nation. * About ten o'clock 



* In speaking of the Priesthood, it must be always recol- 

 lected, that the Secular and Regular Clergy are two totally- 

 different bodies of men, and as distinct in their utility, their 

 knowledge and their manners, as they arc in their situation 

 mi life. 



D 2 



