GENERAL OP THE JESUITS. II3 



before them, and thought themfelves not ftrong enough 

 to force through their webs. 



All the wheels of this dangerous machine acquired 

 their movement by the fingle fpring of a blind obedi- 

 ence towards the Pere General. For conducting them- 

 felves conformably to their deftination, it was neceffary 

 that this elevated perfon Ihould perfectly pofTefs all the 

 qualities proper for a regent of fuch a fpecies : he fhould 

 be quick-lighted and crafty, without paffions and pre- 

 judice, vigilant, active and indefatigable, indulgent 

 and complying towards the mighty, intriguing, cir- , 

 cumfpect, refolute and firm. 



The laft general, Lorenzo Ricci, befides the fpirit 

 of intrigue, by which he forced himfelf into that ar- 

 duous poft, poffeffed none of the forementioned quali- 

 ties. In the moft important affairs, the rector of any 

 other college would have conducted himfelf better than 

 he. He acted by no fixed principles, but after cer- 

 tain models which his imagination had framed of the 

 matter in hand ; and even thefe he frequently followed 

 but badly. He never adhered to the order of time, 

 but to the fequence of his own ideas, which feldom 

 agreed with the prefent ftage of the bufinefs. In his 

 opinions he conftantly proceeded forwards, without 

 ever deigning to look behind ; whereby his enemies 

 were always enabled to lay fnares in his way as know- 

 ing for certain where they fhould have him. In his 

 errors and failings he was capable of no reformation. 

 He rather endured the pernicious effects of his miftakes, 

 than retract them in the fight of others, or confefs that 

 he had unwittingly ftruck into a devious path. 



VOL. I. I Of 



