CHARLES WATERT0N, ESQ. C11I 



strangers whilst we were all in silent adoration 

 on bended knees before the real presence in 

 the consecrated host ! 



I may here observe that British families, on 

 their arrival in Italy, cannot be too cautious 

 in the selection of what is called " Laquais de 

 place," or man to show the curiosities. Too 

 many of these gentry are first-rate scamps, 

 with information ready concocted to suit the 

 tempers of those who hire them. Rome and 

 Venice, and Florence and Naples, abound in 

 these characters. A murder as old as the 

 hills, dressed up anew; a sacerdotal intrigue 

 which never took place ; barbarous conventual 

 cruelties, such as those which Maria Monk has 

 manufactured, are topics which these accom- 

 modating renegades expatiate upon, according 

 to circumstances. Half of the calumnies against 

 our faith, from the pens of English people 

 abroad, have their origin in this polluted source. 

 The last time I was in Florence, whilst we were 

 viewing with our guide the upper outworks of 

 its magnificent cathedral, the fellow overshot 

 the mark, sadly to his loss. In pointing to the 

 localities of the former convents, he remarked 

 that their suppression was a benefit. " They 



