PIETAS ROMANA ET PARISIENSIS, OR, A Faithful Relation of the several sorts of Charitable and Pious WORKS eminent in the Cities of ROME and PARIS.  
The one taken out of the Book written By Theodorus Amydenus.  
The other out of that by Mr. Carr.  
Printed at OXFORD, An. Dom. 1687.   

Licet omnem Ecclesiam, quae in toto est orbe terrarum, cunctis oporteat florere virtutibus, Vos tamen praecipus inter caeteros populos decet meritis Pietatis excellere, quos in ipsâ Apostolicae Petrae arce fundatos & Dominus noster Jesus Christus cum omnibus redemit, & beatus Apostolus Petrus prae omnibus crudivit. S. Leo Serm. 2. Annivers. Assumpt.   

Christian Reader.  
HERE are published for thy benefit two compendious Extracts; one out of Theodorus Amydenus' Pietas Romana, written Anno Domini 1624. The other out of Mr. Carr's Piety of Paris, Anno Domini 1666; these being Collections of several sorts of charitable and pious works eminently flourishing in the two Cities of Rome and Paris; which may serve as an Auctary to be added to the many famous Works of our Forefathers here at home, and especially in the Royal City of London: which are omitted here because better known to us, and by others diligently recorded for Posterity.  
The Publisher hopes, that of such a great variety of patterns of wisely-disbursed wealth, as are here presented, some one or other may take the Reader, and invite an imitation of them; so often as these relations may happily fall into the hands of persons, that, as they are piously disposed, so also are either wealthy and single; or having children, and made a competent provision for them, have also reserved a part of their estate for themselves to be expended for their own more happy living and subsistence in the next world; and especially so often as this Manual may come to the perusal of such, who have had beforehand some serious thoughts of our Lord's directions and counsels given to them in the Gospel, viz. of their laying up, whilst here, some treasure in heaven. Mat. 6.20, 21. because such will not fail them, as all treasure here will; and because their hearts and affections will surely follow, and be where their treasure is; and woe be to those whose affections here are not Celestial. Again, Of their making themselves some friends whilst here, with the Mammon of unrighteousness (for so our Lord styles wealth Luke 16.9.) That these friends, relieved here by them, may afterward receive them [i. e. when here by death they shall be turned out of doors] into everlasting habitations; so as the poor ejected Steward was received by his Lord's debtors, whom he had before so prudently obliged (such distribution of their wealth being, as the Apostle also saith, a laying up in store [or treasuring] for themselves a good foundation for laying hold on [or purchasing therewith] hereafter eternal life. 1. Tim. 6.19.) And lastly our Lord's counsel of their taking warning betimes from the unfortunate Builder here on earth of new barns, Luke 12.18. for his increased goods; for whose Soul the Divine Sergeants came the same night, whilst he (saith the text) abounding here in wealth, did not take care to be rich also towards God; and so all these, and his Soul too, lost at once: or warning also from the miserable rich man, Luke 16.19. who having wealth and plenty given him, wherewith to relieve such as poor Lazarus, rather chose to feast himself with them; and so had provided in the next world not so much as a drop of cold water to allay his thirst.  
I say, such meditations may happily prepare some Readers, at least welcomely to entertain such proposals as this little Book suggests to them: wherein they may see, what various devices many others have used for saving their Souls, with the good management of their Estates: and may imitate them in such a Charity among this great choice as they judge more necessary, or their means can best extend to.  
Nor hath the Publisher any jealousy (though this hath been suggested to him) That the Scene of such public Piety's, being made here, Rome and Paris, will therefore give any just offence. For thus he argues, That the abounding, in any Religion, of such works as are, in all, allowed good and praiseworthy will rather provoke the rest to a pious emulation; and that those, who think themselves to enjoy more light of truth, will hence endeavour not to be inferior in the true fruits thereof, Good Works. And again; That, though our own Country, and the chief City thereof, is very rich in variety of public Monuments of the great Munificence of our Forefathers, yet perhaps some inventions of foreign Charity may be discovered so beneficial; as to be thought worthy to be transplanted also hither: and some new succours to our necessitous neighbours here be happily derived from them: Or, that such as are also found here, yet now but few and rare, may be much more multiplied by occasion of the foreign patterns thereof seen much more frequent; or, being now more private Charities, may become more public. And some public Charities also here attempted and begun, but not hitherto brought to such perfection as is desired or designed, may, by being compared with the same works more completed abroad, have their defects rectified, and so the work be consummated. For true love to God, or our Neighbour, knows no limits, and useth to be very ingenious in multiplying new devices of serving them both to the uttermost.  
And, here to name some of those public Charities abroad, which seem either not to be at all, or not so frequent, here at home. Such seem to be, That Charity of providing convenient Receptacles and Hospitals for poor helpless exposed Infants, here, I am afraid, too hastily committed with a small allowance to the nursing of some poor women, some of them of no good reputation; where partly by their negligence, partly their wants, many of these little ones come to a sudden end; and are as little inquired after, because the parish hereby is eased of a charge. Again such are the frequent Sodalities, or a company of pious persons united together in the prosecution of some or other charitable designs. As the Sodalities in several trades, for the relieving the necessities of those inculpably more indigent amongst them. Sodalities for the succouring the necessities of formerly wealthy-families; casually impoverished, and bashful to publish their wants. For easing poor householders when burdened with many Children: taking these from them, and giving them education till they come to certain years; or are also fitted for an honest employment. Founding Schools only for poor men's children, for teaching them their Catechism and to write and read, and so dismissing them.  
Sodalities, For freeing and releasing Prisoners for debt, at least when it is no very great sum, and the persons not scandalous. For visiting, comforting and instructing Criminals condemned; and endeavouring to bring them to a godly end of their life. Setting up Apothecaries shops; and supplying the poorer sort, when sick, (at least within such a Circuit) with remedies for their diseases, and experienced Tenders of them.  
Sodalities of pious Advocates for considering poor men's causes, defending them when just: and dissuading them, when unjust: and for arbitrating differences.  
Making provision for the ill-married and causelessly deserted by their prodigal husbands. And, For Women formerly wicked and prostituting themselves out of poverty; upon signs of their true Penitence and Reformation. Providing a place to be brought to bed and lying in, with necessary attendance hereto, for poor women great with child and destitute of any such convenience. Providing Dowries for young Virgins of honest education that are poor and marriageable. Especially the furnishing Hospitals, and other Foundations of public Charity, for the necessary overseeing and attendance on them, with such persons as are single, disengaged, and sequestered from the world, and wholly devoted to such an employment: expecting the reward only from God, and for the present content with food and raiment, and serving for conscience, not gain. For nothing can prosper where Avarice is not first excluded. To which also is frequently superadded the voluntary attendance of other devout persons of Quality, and that of both Sexes from abroad, habited suitably for such an employment. A thing frequently practised, and by custom not wondered or blushed at; with great benefit, as well to these Visitants themselves (so learning humility, tender-heartedness, and suffering several mortifications from such pitiful spectacles of man's misery): As for the more plentiful succour and relief of those Miserables, who are often made partakers, together with their Service, of their Charity and Alms.  
Many more might be named, more common abroad, less frequent at home, in all places commendable; the silence in which here may invite you to make a further search for them in the following Relations. Unless I should here also mention that most pious and heroical design, not long since attempted in Paris, of an universal remedy and cure of common Beggars sorted into several Bodies or Classes of them, Men, Women, Children, aged, able, impotent: received in several spacious houses.  
One of them is said to be capable of four or five thousand persons. In which Houses were lodged Anno Domini 1666. about eight thousand of both Sexes.  
Those able being kept close to their work and exercises of divers trades. The younger sort trained up in such manufactures as may always yield them an honest livelihood: The whole governed and administered by pious Clergy, and other single persons of much fidelity, wholly devoting themselves to this, though mean and toilsome, yet most charitable, Service.  
Now if against such multiplicity of benefactions suited to so various necessities it be objected, That the super-abundance of such Charities in these places increaseth those that need them, and must make them more careless in their industry, when they foresee themselves provided for in want: First, This objection may be made against the exercise of any Charity whatever; even that, if any be, practised by the objectors. For what giving can there be that may not be said to encourage men to beg and ask? And what good can be named that some evil per accidens may not be found to come of it? Secondly, None can be blamed for, or indeed excused from, relieving the present wants of their neighbours, though, these should be many times viciously contracted; because the person, however qualified, yet being irrecoverable as to his former fortunes without such relief must perish. Therefore Charity looks de facto chief at men's wants, however incurred by them: who though also falling into these by their fault, yet when in them, may be truly penitent; or, not being so, are not to be deserted in misery because they are not Saints. Thirdly, As some, by their fault, so others fall into misery without it; and Charity in such cases still is inclined to think the best: And safer, that ten unworthy be helped, than one truly needy and deserving miscarry for want of it. Fourthly, Neither are such Charities ordinarily performed, but that there is some choice used in the objects thereof; and those persons preferred that seem more to deserve compassion. Fifthly, Many other good laws in these places are made for restraint of these vices that bring men to penury; which if rightly executed, there will be the fewer faultily needy.  
Sixthly, How much soever common Charities abound, men are naturally so ambitious of self subsistency and independency on others, as that none willingly, and with design, will cast themselves wholly on other men's Alms: especially where can be expected nothing more than necessaries, and receipt into a place, where there are laws to restrain exorbitances, as well as Charity to secure wants. We see how solicitously common Beggars decline such relief. Seventhly, Whatever plentiful provision of public Charities is made in any Commonwealth, yet these can never absolutely equal all necessities (though it were to be wished they might so:) And therefore every one ought to be jealous, that they may not extend to himself; nor, for such common succours, release his care and industry for his own subsistence. But if the bowels of Charity could be so far enlarged to all conditions of men, as that none at all might fear want, the world would still have the more not to complain of, but give thanks for. And we have an admirable precedent and pattern thereof in the primitive Oeconomy practised by the Apostles (in those first great effusions of the holy Spirit) and recommended Act. 2.44. and again Act. 4.32. etc. And those places, which more abound in these works of mercy to all their Neighbours, seem so much nearer to approach to that primitive Copy left us by the holiest of men.   

THE CONTENTS  

Of the First Part. Of Corporal Works of CHARITY.  
CHAP. I. Of Hospitals for the sick and infirm; and first of those common for all sick Persons. Such are, 

1. The Hospital of the Holy Spirit.  
2. The Hospital near St. John Lateran.  
3. The Hospital of St. Mary of Consolation.  
4. The Hospital of our Lady in the Garden.  
5. The Hospital of St. Roche  
6. The Hospital called John of God: Or, Be doing good Brethren.  
7. The Hospital of St. James in Augusto for the Incurables.  
8. The Hospital of the Holy Trinity for Convalescents. And of St. Anthony for Cripples. Of St. Lazarus for Lepers. And of Sodalities taking care of the poor when sick in their own Houses; without their removal to Hospitals. And of decayed Gentry, bashful to publish their wants. And furnishing Apothecary's shops for the use of the poor.  
9 The Pazzerella, or, Place for Mad-People.    
CHAP. II. Of National Hospitals for the sick of their own Country.  
CAAP. III. Of the Hospitals destined to the several sorts of Artificers and Tradesmen.  
CHAP. IU. Of the Hospitals for Orphans, Boys and Girls, not having Parents.  
CHAP. V Provision against some other Casualties, as first, Domus Pia; a place wherein those that are ill married are succoured.  
CHAP. VI Of certain Alms, of Bread, and Wine, and Manies ordered to be given.  
CHAP. VII. Of the Mount of Piety and Pawns.  
CHAP. VIII. Of visiting the Prisons, and relieving poor Prisoners.  
CHAP. IX. Of the plentiful provision of Dowries for poor Maids.  
CHAP. X. Concerning public places appointed for the reception and entertainment of Pilgrims and Strangers of all Nations.  
CHAP. XI. Of National Hospitals for entertainment of Strangers according to the Nation they are of.  
CHAP. XII. Of the Roman Charity for Burial of such Dead as die extreme poor; or are executed by the hand of Justice.   

The SECOND PART. Of Spiritual Works of CHARITY.  
CHAP. I. Of initiating Children in the first Rudiments of Learning and Holy Mysteries of Christian Religion.  
CHAP. II. Of the greater Schools and Public Roman College, and the University called the Sapientia.  
CHAP. III. Of certain private Colleges in the City of Rome. 

I. Of the Roman Seminary.  
II. Of Colleges built in Rome for particular Nations. 

1. Of the Germane College.  
2. Of the English College.  
3. The Greek College.  
4. The Maronites College.  
5. The College for Neophites.  
6. The Scots College.  
7. The Clementine College for the Illyrians.  
8. Of two particular Colleges founded by two Cardinals in their own Palaces.  
9 Of the College for Orphans.  
10. Of the College Matthaei, or St. Hierom's College  
11. Pallotta's College.  
12. Cardinal Gymnasius' College.  
13. Of several Religious Houses having Readers and Professors after the manner of Colleges.  
14. St. Bonaventure's College of Minor Conventuals.  
15. Of the College for Catechumeni.      
CHAP. IU. Of public Sermons and preaching the Word of God in Rome.  
CHAP. V Concerning certain Religions Com-promisers of Strifes, Deciders of Lawcases, and just Defenders of right Pleas.  
CHAP. VI Of visiting sick and weak persons, and the Administering of Spiritual Refection to the devout while they are dying.  
CHAP. VII. Touching the Indefatigable Administration of the Sacraments, Penance and the Eucharist.  
CHAP. VIII. Of public and common Suffrages for the Dead.   

The THIRD PART. Concerning the general Devotion towards God  
CHAP. I. Of the public Devotion of the Pope and Cardinals, and People of Rome, in observing Holy Festivals, and visiting Churches.  
CHAP. II. Of the Patriarchal, Collegiate, and Parish Churches in Rome.  
CHAP. III. Of the many Monasteries in Rome, of Religious Men and Women reciting the Canonical hours, and offering up other Hymns and Lauds to God night and day; and the Priests at due times celebrating the Holy Mass.  
CHAP. IU. Of the Lay-Sodalities, and Confraternities in Rome, and of their Oratories.  
CHAP. V Of the Congregations of Cardinals consulting about Ecclesiastical Affairs, and matters of Religion.    

A Faithful Relation of several sorts of Charitable and Pious Works eminent in the City of ROME.  

THE FIRST PART. Of Corporal Works of CHARITY.  

CHAP. I. Of Hospitals for the Sick and Infirm. And first of those common for all sick Persons.  

Such are, 1. The Hospital of the Holy Spirit.  
THere is not far from the Vatican, near the banks of Tiber, the most famous Hospital for Sick Persons, that is in all the world. It contains within its circuit so many great Palaces and Courts; and so many more ordinary houses; that it seems to be rather a whole town than one house.  
The first Author of this great Work was Innocent the third; as appears by many Inscriptions upon the Hospital itself. This Innocent left behind him in Rome two remarkable Monuments of his charity towards necessitous persons. The one was an Hospital for Slaves, who, being redeemed out of the hands of Infidels, have not wherewith to subsist; of which elsewhere. The other in this place, where Pope Leo 4. Anno 851. having finished that part of the City called after his name Borgo Leonino, built therein a Church dedicated to the perpetual Virgin St. Marry. And Anno 1204. This Innocent the third adjoined thereunto another Hospital; this which we are now treating of. And as he put the first Hospital under the care of a certain religious order then newly instituted by him; so did he this under another Order likewise approved by him; whose Title is that of the Holy Spirit, yet without changing the Title of the Churches dedicated to St. Marry the Virgin in Sassia.  
And this Hospital, because built at the sole charge and cost of the See Apostolic, is immediately under it only, and exempted from all kind of Impositions and Grievances. Now tho, in the Bull of Innocent, exposed Infants, which are here generally received and maintained, are not particularly mentioned; yet it seems such also were meant by the clause added, and other objects of Pity: Which clause was also in the Bull of Nich. 4. Anno 1291. And at last was so declared by the Bull of Sixtus the fourth. An. 1476. And because none should imagine, that the Reception of such Infants did begin first under his Pontificate, there is set up in the Hall, being a great and fair room, many Inscriptions, and the Pictures of many dead Infants brought out of the neighbouring Tiber, and laid at Pope Innocents' feet; And an Angel said to advise him from heaven to make some provision against such miscarriages.  
Hence all exposed Infants are here received by order from the Pope; and being once received are never turned off again or forsaken. For the Males, as soon as they are grown up to it, are taught husbandry or some other Mechanical Trade, and some made Scholars; as the Genius of every one is discerned to be addicted: and what they take to therein they may be always furthered if they will. As for the Females they are delivered into the hands of Nurses and honest Matrons to be trained up; and being grown of age are compelled either to to become Nuns, or to be bestowed by the House in Marriage. And if they become Widows, are received again into the Hospital, if they desire it, very freely, as the Daughters of the place.  
Time indeed, that silently eats all things, had much decayed what Innocent had built; when Pope Sixtus the fourth. 1471. set himself to rebuild all from the very foundations, and amplified it to a magnificent State; which went on still augmenting by the munificence of several succeeding Popes. Leo X, Paul III, Pius IV, Pius V, Gregory XIV. In gratitude to which liberalities, are set up distinct Inscriptions. But to return to the description of this great Hospital, and the Church adjoining: There serve and officiate in the Church men of a religious order wearing a white Cross on their breasts; who likewise are set over the Hospital to govern it, and take care of its Incomes, Rents, and Revenues. These have an innumerable company of servants that receive wages under them.  
Over all is a Master with the title of a Commendator, who now for some years hath been still chosen out of the chief Prelates of the whole Court.  
The Church is all built of Tivoli Stone beauteously adorned with pictures, and all other sacred furniture, that may advance the devotion of christians; the Hospital or Common-house for reception of strangers is exceeding great and capacious, having within its precincts divers Palaces with their distinct Courts.  
In one apartment are maintained forty Nurses that are employed in giving suck, and nursing up the Infants abandoned by their parents; besides these, others, which for their exceeding great number amount sometimes to two thousand, are put abroad to nurse at such a rate; for here they refuse none, Bastards, or Legitimates, if in a perishing condition.  
In the second apartment are maintained about four hundred and fifty of the same children, after they are a little grown; and then they have their masters and servants to teach them the Christian Doctrine, to read and write, and some beginnings of those Trades they seem most inclined to; That at twelve or thirteen years old they may be put forth, and bound thereto in order to subsist of themselves.  
In the third apartment are kept above five hundred of the girls: and are there cloistered in the Monastery dedicated to St. Tecla, standing within the precincts of the said Hospital; where they are educated by fourteen Nuns of St. Augustine's Order in the discipline of that Rule, and by many other Mistresses, in all the arts and skills proper for women; and every year forty of them are given in marriage according to the order of Pope Sixtus; which is done still on the Wednesday in Whitsun-week. For then all the Bridegrooms are invited to a sumptuous feast; and the Virgins having their dowries and other provisions suitable to their new condition given to them, are each of them sent away with their husbands.  
And that the Bridegrooms may before hand sometimes see those, whom they will make choice of, for their Brides; The Virgins are led forth thrice a year in procession.  
First on the Sunday next to St. Anthony's day when they go to St. Peter's, next on St. Mark's day; beginning from his Church the Procession of the Litanies, and ending it at St. Peter's; Whither also they go forth a third time on Whit-monday: the Volto Santo being there shown them at their first and last Procession.  
The fourth apartment contains the sick in a lower gallery, so long and so large, that 'tis capable of a thousand single beds, which commonly in the summer are all filled with sick persons. And on the outside thereof next the streets runs along a Portico or open Cloister, the full length of the Gallery; into which at several doors come forth those that tend and serve the sick after they have done with them; and cleansed all within, to take by turns a little air and refreshment: tho, the Gallery itself of the sick is always kept most sweet and neat.  
Opposite to this Gallery on the other side of the Court stand the several chambers for such sick persons; whose infirmities are of that quality that it is not fit to lodge them with others, but each must have a chamber apart.  
Cross the upper end of the Gallery below are several rooms, as so many Apothecary's shops the best furnished of any in Rome of all things necessary for diseased persons. Over these are several Chambers well furnished and fitted for such persons of quality as falling sick have not the conveniency to be so well looked to and tended elsewhere. For these Pope Sixtus the fourth, hath built a Palace apart, as this Memorial testifies.  

Nobilium calamitate & aegritudine  
motus seorsim ab aliis locum idoneum,  
decenter que ornatum his tribuit.   
Great care is here also taken of all those things which the sick bring hither with them; whether , goods, or moneys: All being inventoryed and deposited in the Treasurer's hands, to be punctually restored to them, if they recover; or to their heirs, if they die.  
In this great building are also two other places of note. The one is the Palace of the Commendator and his family, which consists of some Ninety in number: All which have their employments, offices and charges about the sick; He going himself often to visit them. And, besides many appointed Physicians and Surgeons; who in their turns, if need be, watch whole nights with their patients (for nothing is omitted that may conduce to the health of the body.) Besides the religious men of that order, who are perpetually upon the place, and other servants that are paid their wages for it, There are many Monks and Friars of all orders, that daily visit the sick; not only exhorting them to patience, and feeding their souls with the word of God, but bringing them likewise early fruits and the first of all sorts that the season there affords; and sometimes sweetmeats and other refreshing things, coming from foreign parts.  
Among these persons are chief the Priests of the Congregation of the Oratory founded not many years since, by the authority of St. Philip Neri; whose institute and approved virtues require to be spoken of more particularly in another place.  
The other place is the Church (touched upon before) together with the chambers adjoining for the forementioned Religious, and for the other Priests who assist the sick. For besides the Penitentiary (who assoon as any sick persons are brought, in the first place heareth their confessions) others administer the Sacraments to them, That of the Eucharist, and when the case requires it, that of Extreme Unction: others accompany the departing Souls with the Church's prayers and recommendations. There be four Chaplains to say Mass; And those sick, who lie below, have there, in the middle of their Gallery, a neat Chapel with an Organ often played on, also for the recreation of the sick. And those above have another, but more adorned, and with rich hang and Church vestments.  
The yearly Revenue of the whole is very great, and amounts to near a hundred thousand Gold Crowns (every Crown being worth 7. sh: 6. d.) that is: About thirty seven thousand five hundred pounds Sterling per Annum.  
To this so excellent a piece of Charity as we see here exercised, there is adjoined another no less munificent: which is, That there belongs to the place certain Coaches and Litters for sick people; wherein they are carried up and down, in places ot more wholesome air of the City; especially those persons that wast away in languishing Fevers; that according to the prescript of their Doctors they may take some freer air.   

II. The Hospital for the Sick near St. John Lateran's.  
Near the Lateran Church, John the Cardinal Columna, whom Pope Honorius the third, about year 1216. admitted into the sacred College, built a very large Hospital for poor sick people, dedicating it to our Saviour as this title in stone testifies.  Hospital. Salvat. Refugium Pauperum & Infirmorum. 
And endowed it with a great Revenue; the government and care of which he hath committed to the congregation of the Gentlemen of Rome: by whose means the wealth thereof is not a little increased.  
This Hospital is a double one; one part for men, the other for women; and a street or publick-way between both: either of them are served by ministers and attendants of their own sex. In the winter time they make ordinarily fifty beds in the women's part; and in the men's a hundred and fifty, which sometimes are even double in number. In the summer, when diseases rage's more, persons of all conditions that have Fevers, or sores, or wounds, are here received, maintained and cherished after the same manner as they are in that other Hospital of the Holy Spirit.  
The servants attending on the sick are very many: The Physicians, Surgeons and Priests sufficient for it. Those that are sick of a lingering and almost spent Fever have here also a kind of Coach to take the better air in, to exhilerate their spirits and exhale their disease.  
The whole fabric is very conspicuous by reason of its sumptuous building; and is ordered by the prime Nobility and Gentry among the Romans with great diligence and ingenious care: Besides their great charity towards the sick, they do likewise other good works of piety to be spoken of in their due place.   

III. The Hospital of St. Mary of Consolation.  
There was an Hospital in Rome called St. Maria in Portico, so ancient that we have no Memorial left of its beginning: That such there was an inscription tells us.  Divae Mariae in Portico sacrum Societatis Hospitale. 
Or else surely the memory of it was lost either in that miserable sack of the town under Clement the seventh; or else by the frequent overflowing of Tiber, as many other things there unhappily perished. The Church thereof is still standing, though to another use.  
Not far from hence another Sodality devoted to the Blessed Virgin under the Invocation of Graces and given to good works erected an Hospital for the sick.  
And not far from this again another Sodality devoted to the Virgin too, under the little of Consolation, founded another Hospital for the sick. The near standing together of these Hospitals hath reduced them all three, to that of the Consolation, at this day: the other titles being grown out of use, it is called by that name only of Consolation: perhaps therefore because it is a name that sounds well to sick people.  
Here are received, as in the other Hospitals abovenamed, in several apartments both men and women of what condition soever, if they be sick of Fevers, or have any wounds or sores; there they have Physicians, and Surgeons, and servants to attend them.  
The Church is all built of Tivoli-stone, except the Frontispeice that is yet unfinished.  
To it belongs a convenient number of Priests. There are beds made for the sick in the winter a hundred: and in the summer two hundred.  
The whole fabric takes up a great deal of ground; and all the care of it belongs to that Confraternity, as I said, of the Consolation. The yearly Revenue is great, and every day addition made to it by the charity of good people.   

iv The Hospital of our Lady in the Garden.  
About the year of our Lord 1390. Boniface the ninth being Pope, in that region of the City beyond Tiber there began a Sodality devoted to the Blessed Virgin; which, because it built a fair Church to the honour of a certain image of the same Virgin found in a Garden, therefore had the Church and the Sodality too their title from a Garden. To the Church is added an Hospital for the sick.  
The Hospital receives those that are sick of Fevers or troubled with sores, or wounds, There is a Physician and Surgeon and Attendants and all other things else provided that are necessary for the restoring of an infirm body. To the Church belong many Priests; And the Hospital, although it exclude none of any degree or condition, yet more willingly admits Mechanics; as Cooper's, Millers, Mariners, Tailors, Gardiners, Carpenters, Carmen, Plowmen, Vinedressers, etc. which sort of people contribute very charitably to it. The Confraternity or Sodality, who have the care and regiment of all, consists not of any Gentlemen but of such Mechanics.  
Beds for the sick are made there ordinarily about fifty in number, and in the Autumn and other sickly times of the year: two or three times as many.   

V The Hospital of St. Roche.  
In the year of Jubilee 1500. under Alexander the sixth, another Sodality was instituted and devoted to St. Roche; which, near the Church of St. Hierom of the Illyrians, bought of the said Illyrians a piece of ground, upon which they erected an Hospital, and joined it to a very fair Church both built by the same Sodality.  
There are belonging to the Church eighteen Priests, and four Acolites. In the Hospital are received in lodgings apart for both men and women of all sorts, that have sores, or be sick of Fevers, that here they may be cured of them. But they have a particular care of Tradesmen, as of Mariners, Hosts, Carpenters, Plasterers, Ministrels, Confectioners, Fishmongers; etc. For by the charity of such men the Hospital hath received a great addition: They make no less than fifty beds daily in the healthiest times, and in the sickly can supply an hundred.  
The care of all is committed to a Sodality, who also on the day of the Assumption of our Lady give portions to some poor Virgins. And because this Hospital at first served only for men, Antony-Maria Salviati Cardinal (a man often to be named for his great munificence to pious uses) adjoined to the former Hospital another great Fabric for women; and endowed it with a revenue: the Inscription upon it testifies both.   

VI The Hospital called of John of God, or, Be-doing-good, Brethren.  
In the City of Granada in the farthest part of Spain there was living about the year 1540 John Colavita vulgarly called John of God by profession a Bookseller; who selling off all his Books made use of the money only toward the relief of the sick. In which good work he soon found assistants, by whose help in a short time many Hospitals were founded, not only over all Spain, but throughout almost all Italy too. In the Island in Tiber at Rome there is a fair one that receives a hundred sick people and more if there be need, with extraordinary charity.  
It hath no yearly revenue, but is maintained by the alms of good people, gathered up by certain religious Hermits living together according to the rule of the said John Colavita.  
These take the whole care of the Hospital upon them, and do themselves indefatigably serve the sick. They have to that purpose an Apothecary's shop furnished with the best drugs that can be got together at any cost. Their Church is well adorned, and dedicated to our Saviour. And the whole Hospital increaseth daily in repute and alms; for the extraordinary charitable offices which these foresaid religious persons do there to the sick.  
These religious Hermits call themselves Fate-ben-Fratelli, or Be-doing-good, Brethren; because that saying was frequently used by their Founder John Colavita: when he went up and down to gather the charities of people.   

VII. The Hospital of St. James in Augusto. For the Incurable.  
This Hospital of St. James in Augusto taking its name from Augustus his Gardens, in the place of which it is built, acknowledgeth for its Founder Cardinal Peter de Columna in a Marble stone there in the wall Anno 1338. Pontif. Benedict. 12.  
Hither are brought to be cured all with old sores or wounds; such as have their sinews shrunk that labour with the Hernia, and such incurable diseases; whence it is named, The Hospital of Incurables: A Work of very great charity and therefore contributed unto by many worthy men; among whom the Marble stone, that is in the East Church (for the Hospital hath two Churches belonging to it, this, and another at the West, end) records Anthony of Burgos.  
But Friar Clement Cardinal of Ara Caeli left this Hospital as his heir to his whole estate; as a table in that Church for a memorial shows.  
Nor was this Hospital a little benefited by Bartholomew de la Cueva of St. Cross in Jerusalem as appears in a like Marble table. This Hospital received yet more advantage by Lodowick de Torres Archbishop of Salernum as is in a like Marble table. Besides these Cardinals spoken of and other great Prelates, many there have been of the inferior rank both men and women (whose names it were tedious to recite) who by charitable Legacies have much promoted this famous work of Christian piety, which I set not down here for brevity sake; yet must not forget that of Paul the third; of which there is extant a large Memorial in a Marble stone inserted in the wall of the West Church.  
Lastly to all these succeeds Antonius Maria Salviatus the Cardinal, a man of a princely mind, as the stately Monuments of it testify. He razed down that Church which we called the East Church, and raised another, a most magnificent one, in its place; a piece of admirable structure, great capacity and royal furniture as is to be seen; He increased the revenue of this Hospital very liberally.  
The Church is adorned with very rich furniture; the Divine office therein performed by twenty four Priests and six Acolytes.  
The sick have many to attend upon them. The whole Hospital with all its revenue is governed by that Sodality which heretofore was named St. Maria del Popolo; because it was instituted in the Church of that Denomination; but now it is translated to this we speak of, and so entitled: The Sodality of St. James for the Incurables.  
The order they use in this house of charity is most accurate: I had it from the Sodality itself most particularly set down, but too long to be inserted here, where brevity is promised.  
Besides the ordinary care used about the sick, once every two years they make a Decoction that is very chargeable, for such as have that miserable disease, which the vulgar calumniously call the French pox (for that goes too amongst the Incurables) and so distribute it among those that are sick thereof.  
The houses, that were added to the old Hospital by the Cardinal Salviati, are very large ones and bear his Inscription. The beds here made for the incurable persons are no less than a hundred, and more if there be need.   

The Hospital of the Holy Trinity for Convalescents. And of St. Anthony for Cripples. And of St. Lazarus for Lepers.  
And of Sodalities taking care of the poor, when sick, in their own houses, without their removal to Hospitals.  
And of decayed Gentry, bashful to publish their wants. And furnishing Apothecary'S shops for the use of the poor.  
Thus much of the Hospitals for the sick. To which may be added that other Institute of no less piety; whereby these that are recovering after their Fevers have left them, taken out of the forenamed Hospitals for the the sick: and carried in the Town Coach for that purpose into the Hospital of the most Holy Trinity, that we speak of. Where for three days they are entertained with more plentiful and stronger diet; that so being restored into their former strength, they may be the sooner enabled to follow their work and wont business.  
Not unlike to this also is that house of St. Anthony in Esquiliis; founded indeed for such as are sick of the Plague; but because that sickness, by the mercy of Almighty God, is very rare in that City, it is employed to receive the lame, and maimed, and such other Cripples.  
But because it is not convenient for all, that fall into Fevers to be removed from their own house, and carried to a public Hospital; especially for Masters of Families, who have wives and children to take care of; lest besides the affliction of their bodies they should suffer thereby another in their minds. The charity of the Romans hath extended itself to benefit these also, that they may be looked unto and helped in their own houses. For this good work there is appointed a Sodality of pious men; above fourscore years since instituted in the Church of the twelve Apostles. The brethren of which Sodality largely bestow upon these kind of sick money; and provide them of a Physician and Physic; and if they have the testimony of their parish Priest for their honest life, they are relieved with great charity.  
And to this purpose for the relieving of these Poveri Vergognosi, persons of condition that are fallen into want and are ashamed to let it be known, here are elected every year, in the honour of the twelve Apostles, twelve Gentlemen of Rome, and a Prelate of the Court for their Prior. Who, dividing themselves to the several regions or quarters of Rome, visit in private, all persons of such condition, if they will but put their Memorials here into a certain Box (which is locked and stands exposed among other boxes for the poor; so that they may do it as concealedly as they please) and they shall not be long without relief suitable to their want; for twice a week the Box is opened, and the Memorials considered.  
Out of all this it appears, that there is scarce any sort of relief and easement to be imagined for the poor sick: which is not in all its kinds abundantly practised in this City, the very Mother of Charity.  
Here also come fitly to be spoken of, those two Cardinal Burghese and Lodovisius. The first of whom hath furnished up an Apothecary's shop, abounding with all sorts of Drugs, and Physic, and Remedies for the use of all the poor in that parish where his Palace stands.  
The other hath provided the like shop, but far greater; so that it may supply all sorts of remedies, for all sorts of diseases, gratis to the poor of all the City and its Suburbs; and to that purpose hath allotted a yearly revenue of two thousand four hundred Golden Crowns, that is about nine hundred pounds sterling.  
And thus much of the Hospitals and places of refreshment for those that are sick, or languish. I may add two more, though, small ones, destined for those whom they call Lepers; both dedicated to St. Lazarus, because he is supposed to have had that disease.  
The one is out of the Walls not far distant from Porta Angelica, and at the foot of Mons Amarus, or vulgarly Monte Marici: where heretofore a Frenchman kept an Inn; who dying An. 1480. left by Will wherewith to build a Church and this Hospital adjoining for poor Lepers, dedicating it to that Lazarus who lay at the rich man's gate. Although, there is also a Memorial kept of St. Lazarus, Brother to St. Mary and Martha, always on Passion Sunday: the Gospel on the Friday before being of his resurrection.  
Here also the Vignerols keep the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen to whom our Lord appeared in the shape of such a Vignerol or Vine-dresser.  
These therefore maintain a Priest for her Altar: and having many years persevered in this devotion they came at length to make up a confraternity An. 1598. and had the privilege to deliver a Prisoner from death on the same Feast. Whereon also they contribute some Dowries for marrying-off some of their poor Maids. The place is united to the Chapter of St. Peter, which maintains a parish Priest there, for those Souls that live scattered in the Vineyards thereabouts. The Alms for maintenance of the sick are partly given by the Pope's Majordomo, and partly gathered from the passengers in that Highway.  
The other Lazaretto, or Hospital for Lepers, is within the Walls at the foot of the Aventine-Hill in via ostiensi; and was erected by the former Hospital to gather here the alms of such as visited the seven Churches. The Chapel here is very little, yet the house is furnished with beds fit for such diseased people, and they are maintained by the Alms forementioned.   

The Pazzarella or Place for Mad-People.  
The first Founder of this great work of Charity was Ferrantes Ruiz of the Kingdom of Navarre, and Angelo & Didaco Bruni Father and Son, Spaniards. Afterwards An. Dom. 1561. by approbation of Pius the fourth, over this good work was set a Sodality of lay-people: a house was built near to Via lata, and a Church adjoining dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under the title of St. Mary of Pity.  
In this Hospital are received the crazed persons of whatever Nation they be; and at their first entrance care is taken by Physicians to restore them to their right mind, by Hellebore or any other Medicines proper to that effect. If the madness prove incurable, there they are kept during life, having food and raiment, necessary to the miserable condition they are in, charitably provided for them. Although there be both men and women in that house, yet they have their apartments so severed that they cannot come together. All know their Keepers: who, as occasions require, correct the outrageous, and therefore they stand in awe of such.  
Persons of all Nations Germane, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Dutchmen, and others are here maintained and governed with a great deal of charity, and (considering their distemper) difficulty also. A Venetian Lady was moved to a great pity of these poor Creatures upon sight of them: and at her death left them heirs to her whole Estate.    

CHAP. II. Of National Hospitals for the Sick of their own Country.  
ALthough these common Hospitals for all sick, which we have spoken of, may suffice, even for the sick of the greatest City: For if we cast up the accounts exactly, we shall find ready in them no less than fifteen hundred beds daily made, besides what are supplied in a much greater number in sickly times. Yet several Nations have been willing to show their particular care and provision of this nature for their poor Country men.  
As the Castilians do receive the Poor of their Nation, that are sick, in an apartment of that house of Reception dedicated to St. James, separate from those that are in health; and with very great diligence provide all necessaries for them.  
The like do those of Flanders in St. Julians house of reception to their Countrymen.  
The Portugueses do the same in St. Anthony's house.  
The Lombard's make use of, to that purpose, the house dedicated to St. Ambrose and St. Charles.  
Those of Genoa the house of St. John Baptist.  
The Armenians that of St. Maria Egyptiaca.  
Those of Arragon that of the Blessed Virgin of Monserrat.  
The Britons that of St. Ivo.  
The French that of St. Lewis.  
The Illyrians and Dalmatians that of St. Hierome.  
Who over and above furnish their sick, who desire rather to continue in their own proper houses, with money to buy physic and pay the Physician.  
To these we may add those of Bergamo, of whom we have hitherto said nothing. These have founded a Church and built a house of entertainment near to the forum of Antoninus devoting both to the two Saints Bartholemew, and Alexander. The Church hath a convenient company of Priests maintained for it.  
In the house are entertained all the sick of their nation, if they be poor and desire to lie there; if they be rich, there be fair houses adjoining for them with an Apothecary's shop of their own.  
The Florentines have built an Hospital for their sick, not far from that their stately Church of St. John Baptist upon the banks of Tiber.  
Those of Sienna have theirs near the Church of St. Katherine of Sienna in via Julia. In both these places is very great charity shown to the sick of either Nation.   

CHAP. III: Thirdly of the Hospitals destined to the several sorts of Artificers and Tradesmen.  
WE have spoken of the Hospitals of our Lady in the Garden, or St Lazarus and St. Roche and St. Martin: that by particular obligation were appropriated to men of certain trades and professions there reckoned up. But yet some of them refusing a Community with others, have erected certain Hospitals peculiar for the sick only of their own profession. Among those are,  
First, the Apothecaries. To a Company or Sodality of these was allotted heretofore the Church of St. Laurence in Foro Romano, now Boario, from the year 1450. It is an ancient Fabric, and of old dedicated to the Emperor and Empress Antoninus and Faustina; as appears by the title yet to be read in the Frontispeice.  Divo Antonino & Divae Faustinae. 
It stands by the ancient Via Sacra leading to the Capitol.  
Near to this Church have they built an Hospital for those of their profession, that fall sick. A work very much promoted by Cardinal Astorgius Agnensis of Beneventum; and the sick are there looked unto with great care and neatness.  
Secondly, The Hospital of our Lady of Loretto for poor Bakers.  
The year of Jubilee 1500, The better sort of Bakers set up a Sodality among themselves, and joining their moneys together bought a piece of grcund near Trajani-Forum: On it they built a very stately Church of choice Architecture, dedicating it to our Lady of Loretto.  
The Church itself indeed is an excellent piece, all of Tivoli stone; in the building whereof were expended about fifty thousand Crowns. All being contributions of Charity.  
By it is the Hospital, common to all afflicted with Sores and Fevers, but more particularly designed for Bakers; because raised upon their purse, although the inscription says nothing of it;  Hospit. Societat. Divae Mariae Laureti. 
The care of the place totally belongs to that Sodality. Thirty beds for the use of the sick they furnish; but on an occasion they add more daily. All things that can be thought of necessary, or convenient for recovering of health they there supply.  
Next the Germane Bakers, of which sort there is no small number in this City, have been willing to have an Hospital too, for their sick, adjoining to the Church of St. Elizabeth near Campus Florae: the Church is well adorned with holy Utensils, and the Hospital with beds and other necessaries for the sick, good diet and attendance.  
Again for the servants belonging to the Pope's Family, (there being a very great number of them) about the year 1537, There was a kind of a Body or pious Sodality erected out of them; which, behind St. Peter's Church at the entrance of the old Circus of Nero, built up a Temple to St. Martha, and by it an Hospital for the servants of the Courtiers, which fell sick, and could not be well looked unto in the Palace itself.  
This Temple, by reason of the many indulgences granted unto it by several Popes, is much frequented by the devouter sort; that hardly there is one that visits St. Peter's Church which doth not likewise go unto this of which we speak. The Hospital is abundantly furnished with beds and other necessaries for treating of the sick.  
In the year of our Lord 1580. the Coachmen and Carmen joined together, and out of themselves instituted a Sodality of the better sort, which built an Hospital in Campus Martius near Tiber, only for sick Coachmen and Carmen. Here therefore are entertained all the infirm of these Professions. Nor are they dismissed until they be known to have recovered their former health, so as to be able to drive their Coaches or Carts, and govern their horses. Of these sorts of men there is no small number in Rome, since the very Coaches and Chariots of the Gentry exceed two thousand, not reckoning Carts or Country Wagons.   

CHAP. IU. Fourthly, Of the Hospitals for Orphan Boys and Girls having no Parents.  
LET us go on to see how Rome, the Nurse of all sorts of people, is never wanting to assist the needy of what condition or age soever, but takes care of them assoon as born, and once received into her care, fosters them up as long as they live, and being dead pays their funerals.  
In all great and populous Cities there uses to be a great number of Infants exposed; not so much by the fault of the mothers, as for the great poverty of their parents: Now before there was a certain place appointed for such in this City, These poor Infants were punished not for their own, but for their parents faults or fortunes, and almost all perished miserably. Pope Innocent the third, being admonished by an Angel, built that Hospital of the Holy Ghost in Saxia, for these Innocents', as we shown before.  
If any misery befall persons under age and young, that they are not able to maintain themselves by their own work, and withal have lost both father and mother: The City hath also two houses for such Orphans, the one for males, and the other for females.  
The first had its beginning in the year 1540 by a Sodality of many pious Citizens of Rome then instituted; who disliking, That young Boys should run idling up and down the City, thought it fit that some Hospital should be built for them: which good work Paul the third, who then was Pope, much encouraged, and assigned a place for this Fabric near the Pantheon, or Agrippa's Temple, close by the parish Church of St. Mary's in Acquiro of the Visitation, granting that Church to the use of the Sodality and Hospital. After this first Church was pulled down, and the Sodality built up another most magnificent, and on a larger plot of ground, adjoining to it a very spacious house by means of the alms of good people, to keep the Boys in. To this work much was contributed by the often mentioned Antonius Maria Salviatus the Cardinal, who by his wont liberality hath much increased the revenue of the Hospital.  
As for those Lads, who are apt for learning, the same Cardinal hath built a very magnificent College apart for them, and largely endowed it.  
The care of the Church, of the Servants, and indeed of the whole Hospital, is entrusted to the foresaid Sodality: Who are very diligent to search into the dispositions and inclinations of the youths, and so to make choice of them severally, to apply every one to such a course of life as fits best his own Genius.  
The second of those houses is for female Orphans, for it being not convenient for Boys and Girls to live promiscuously in the same house; The Girls have their Hospital in another place, and indeed a very large one, near to the Church of Sanctorum quatuor Coronatorum; which heretofore is said to be the Palace of the Popes. Herein are a very great number of such Maids, who are instructed and taught, and ruled and governed by some Nuns of St. Bennets order; who are there likewise cloistered up. The Girls, being grown of age, receive their Dowries from the same Sodality, and so are either marryed-off, or, if they have a mind to it, enter into some Nunnery.  
Now because in these houses for Orphans, according to the laws of the Foundations, none are to be received but such as are deprived of both parents; The Roman charity cannot content itself to leave unprovided for, other young Boys and Girls, who perhaps have but one parent left them; or if both, yet such as are either decrepit, lame, or blind, or impotent by some other defect, that they cannot maintain their children; even for such also hath Rome, an indulgent Nurse of all sorts of poor, taken care with a very provident liberality.  
John Leonard of Sicily was a man, as his Works show him, of a very good mind and singular charity towards the poor. He having been in his more youthful days a Gentleman-Usher in this City, and observing therein many boys idly to run up and down, had pity upon them, and got together a very great number of them, and lodging them himself in divers borrowed houses, maintained them as well as he could for many years, with such Alms as he procured from the charity of good people. He was one that had no learning, and therefore by an Irony was wont to style himself the lettered John, and the boys of his institution still retain the name of Literati.  
This holy Institute in a very short time found many Favourers. Who growing into a congregation, bought a very large house for the bringing up of these boys, near Domitian's Arch: To which is added a little Chapel.  
This house is now endowed with some revenues, but nothing at all competent for the maintenance of so great a multitude. Hence it is that the younger boys are led about sometimes through the streets of the City by one that governs them, singing their prayers and praises to God and the Blessed Virgin, in a certain childish harmony; thereby to beg alms of good people: And the greater being set to manual labour get victuals for themselves and their Companions: in sum all are employed to a good end.  
That which is most commendable in this work, is the good education and training up of poor children, whereby they are timely in their slippery age estranged from the common vices of youth.  
The same Leonard had gathered together Girls too; but because he alone was not able to go through with the care of both Boys and Girls he deserted this design. Although, the Maids were afterwards disposed of to several persons: And in the year 1595. found a common Patron, namely Cardinal Hieronimus Rusticuccius.  
This Cardinal having bought many houses near the Church of St. Euphemia in Trajani Forum, did, as as they say, by the persuasion of venerable Cesar Baronius (who afterwards was Cardinal) build out of them a very large house to receive all these Maids gathered now together from those several places wherein they lived before dispersed. And over them he set honest Matrons, who taking the care of their Education, should instruct them in all ways of Religion and Holiness. The lesser among these, as before the lesser among the Boys, are led about the town singing also, thereby to implore the benevolence of the charitable; and the greater are kept to their Needle, and other female employments. When any are grown of age, by order of their Governors, they are either to be married or professed Nuns.  
Over this house are set, by order of the Cardinal the Pope's Vicar, some grave Priests; but the supreme authority rests in the Cardinal Vicar.  
The number of Boys is usually about three hundred, and so likewise is that of the Maids. This institute and the Congregation that looks to it, hath for Protector the Cardinal Ludovicus Ludovisius; who often supplies both houses with his liberality according as their exigencies require.  
There are never wanting in great Cities wicked mothers; who, never having affected chastity, make their Daughters like themselves; and expose them to be abused for a small gain, and sometimes against their wills.  
That the wickedness of such wretches might be prevented, there hath been by the importunity of St. Ignatius Loyola instituted in the City a Sodality, Anno 1540 whose care it is with all sagacity to search out for the daughters of such infamous women; and having found them, to take all from ten to twelve years old from the power and tuition of their treacherous mothers, and to place them in a Monastery built for that purpose, there to be taught and trained up by grave Nuns in all Christian discipline. When they come to be marriageable they have provided for them husbands, or if they had rather vails; in the mean time they are maintained at the charge of the Monastery.  
There is a very stately Church all built of Tivoli stone, and dedicated to St. Catherine de Funari, added to this Monastery by Cardinal Frederick Caesius, Bishop of Porto, as the inscription over the great gate thereof declares.  
For the better education of these poor Girls, the Augustine Nuns take care of them.  
This Monastery is governed by a Sodality, consisting of Roman Citizens, the very prime of them; whether you consider their extraction, estates or virtues,  
The number of Virgins here are about two hundred.   

CHAP. V Provision against some other casualties; As First, Domus Pia. A place wherein those that are ill-married are succoured.  
MAtrimony the most indissoluble bond of humane society (wherein is found that chief and inexplicable friendship and unity between man and wife) yet is not unoften by the fault of the parties undone, cut asunder, or at least loosened: namely when this individual conversation and cohabiting is injured by a stubborn contumacy; for hence grow anger, strifes, and at the last a separation from the marriagebed; which is caused by the ill condition sometimes of the man, sometimes of the woman. But least women should incur the ignominy of being dishonest, when they live separate from their husbands, there is provided a house for entertainment of such ill-yoked persons: wherein they are received, until such time as they are fully reconciled to their husbands, or their husbands to them.  
This house is called Domus Pia, and stands near to the Church belonging to the Monastery of St. Clare. Which Church on one hand hath St. Clare's Monastery, and on the other, this house. So that they have a kind of communion together; but yet no farther than in the use of the Church standing between them.  
The care of this house is committed to a Sodality of the prime Citizens of Rome; as likewise is that of St. Clare's Nunnery, of which in due place.  
Secondly, The charitable Provision for repentant Strumpets.  
Neither are the Whores themselves (of which by the perverse and vicious nature of mankind, there is too great a number in great Cities) deprived of the Roman charity, if they once come to repent themselves.  
For near Antoninus his Forum is there built for such, a very large Monastery dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen: Wherein are received all such, as repenting themselves of their past voluptuousness, are disposed to dedicate themselves and the rest of their lives to God. Here such make profession of a regular course, and observe the monastical Discipline so exactly, and with so great constancy; that it is a kind of miracle, that women accustomed to a loser sort of life, should now be kept under so strict a rule.  
A great part of the Fabric of this Monastery was added by Cardinal Peter Aldobrandini, but in a few years after suffering by fire was again magnificently re-edified by Pope Paul the fifth.  
The care of this Monastery belongs to the Nobility both of the City and Court, joining together in a Sodality; which suffers not the penitents to want any thing.  
The number of these women amounts at this day to three hundred. They say Paul the fifth, at that time, when he visited this Monastery lately then burnt, and saw so many signs of true repentance, shed tears, and stood as it were amazed at the terrible penances and severe sanctity practised by these women.  
Now because none are admitted here unless they first make profession to be perpetually enclosed, after which there is no recalling; and it is likely that some, that have made that profession, may afterwards come to repent themselves; and others, that have hot yet made it, may be deterred from ever making it by the indispensableness thereof. Therefore Friar Dominick de Jesus Maria, one of the reformed Carmelites, whom the vulgar term Discalceat or unshod, hath lately out of the alms of pious people, built another large Monastery, wherein such women are received, as changing to an honester course of life, desire yet to try whether they can go through with the reformation of themselves: and upon trial have time to deliberate whether they will make that profession in that other house, or else continue here as long as they can live single.  
Thirdly, A house for old and decrepit Persons.  
We have seen how the Roman charity hath made provision for all, of all ages and degrees, that need their help. And it is not to be believed that it should fail them, who fail through age.  
Wherefore Pope Sixtus Quintus, a munificent Prince, hath built a very large Hospital and endowed it with a great yearly Revenue for old people, and for the blind, lame, maimed, or made impotent by any other natural defect, so that they cannot labour. Over this Hospital is set a Sodality of certain honest men; who are to take care of all things, and to judge of such as are fit to be received.  
They admit alike men and women, but in several apartments, and maintain all in decent diet and clothing as long as they live.   

CHAP. VI Of certain Alms of Bread, Wine and Monies ordered to be given.  
AT the foot of the Vatican, near the Church of St. Peter (the Prince of the Apostles) at the West end there stands a fair Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin; and near it a large Church yard, wherein none but Strangers and Pilgrims are buried.  
Behind this Church is a large house, wherein by the appointment of several Popes, thirteen poor people are daily dined by two Priests that have that charge. It is piously believed that this custom came down from St. Gregory the great, that most holy Pope; who usually entertaining twelve poor men every day, had the honour once to treat for a thirteenth poor person our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whence this number hath ever since been religiously observed, to this day.  
Besides this charity there is distributed by the Pope's liberality Bread and Wine in great abundance, unto two thousand poor people, on every Friday, in honour of our Lord's Passion.  
The Convent of St. Anthony gives every day two loaves of bread a piece to as many poor people as come thither for it.  
The Hospital of our holy Saviour, near the Lateran Church, bestows every day upon every one of the poor, as much bread as will suffice each of them for a day.  
The like is done by the Convent of St. Paul in Via Ostiensi.  
The Hospital of the Holy Ghost, giveth bread and wine every evening to a great multitude of poor.  
But because the forementioned Alms are not given but to such as come themselves to demand them; and many, because they live afar off, or because they come of honest families reduced into povery, are ashamed to go from door to door to ask an alms; for these, who are styled the shamefaced poor, an ingenious provision is made by the Sodality (which we spoke of above) of the Holy twelve Apostles. There is placed in that Church a little Desk under lock and key, into which at a chink are thrust in the Petitions, wherein the necessitous person expresseth his wants, and sets down his place of habitation. Thrice every week this Desk is opened by the officers, the Petitions read, and some of the Sodality dispatched away to find out the Supplicants, and to relieve them according to the quality of their indigency.  
The like order is observed by that Sodality of Charity, set up under Pope Leo the tenth, in the Church of St. Hierome, near to the Palace of Farnesi: This Sodality there distributes every Saturday a great quantity of bread to to the poor; and to those modest beggars, what money the confraternity thinks fit; by whose piety the largess hath been maintained and increased.  
Besides all these munificences and charities the Pope monthly distributes to the Convents of Mendicants, and to other shame faced poor, great sums of moneys, under the name of common charity; which are still increased as the exigents of times require; and are dispensed by the secret Almoner, as they call him, who hath no limits set him what to bestow.  
The Pope is imitated by the sacred Senate or College of Cardinals, as in all other virtues, so especiaily in their liberality to the poor: To instance in every particular Cardinal would be besides my purpose, and therefore I omit it.  
It is found by an Extract out of his Book of accounts, That this one Cardinal, viz. Alexander Perettus, Cardinal Montalto Nephew to Pope Sixtus the fifth; by his Sister did bestow upon the poor, a million and seven hundred thousand gold Crowns; besides the Alms that he distributed to single persons with his own hands, and great gifts conferred upon his friends.   

CHAP. VII. Of the Mount of Piety and Pawns.  
THere is nothing more for the benefit of poor people, than, when their necessity requires it, to lend them money upon their pawns, without exacting any use for it. In the time of Pope Paul the third, there was a place appointed for the receiving of the pawns of poor people, and they called it the Mount of Piety and of Pawns. It grew much in request by the liberalities and privileges indulged unto it by the same Paul; and other Popes of Rome, even unto this day.  
Here are received the pawns of all poor and indigent people whatsoever, and no, or, at least, no considerable use paid for the money given out upon them. The time allotted for redemption is eighteen months: if the pawns are not redeemed in that time, they are sold at an outcry; and the sum registered for how much, it it exceed the money given out upon them; the overplus is restored to the owners, whensoever they shall call for it, neither is their calling for it limited to any time.  
There are great store of Officers that belong to this place, all which, have their monthly Salaries paid to them for their labour out of the Treasury of the house.  
It is governed by very able and sufficient men, both Roman Citizens and Courtiers, that make up a Sodality. Who take exact accounts of all the incomes, that no fraud be used by any inferior officer.  
The work is indeed a piece of very great Charity, and extremely beneficial to the meaner sort of people; for all such flock thither, not only of the City, but of the Villages, Farms and Towns all round about, to whom it is very gainful to take up moneys upon their pawns before harvest, and then having done their harvest, and made money thereof, to redeem them again.   

CHAP. VIII. Of visiting the Prisons, and relieving poor Prisoners.  
SInce in a great confluence of people of divers Nations some outrages will still happen; for repressing of them, there are in Rome many public Prisons, and Judges appointed to give sentence of punishment upon the guilty. The Judges are the Pope's Vicar, the Chamberlain, the Governor of the City, the Auditor of the Chamber, the Senator of the people, and many others: And whereas Judges exercise judgement many times not in their own persons, but by Deputies; it happens sometimes that the prisoners are deferred; and so lie longer in fetters than perhaps their cause requires.  
Now to prevent this mischief there are Visitors appointed every month to visit the prisons; and whom they find there detained either for crimes or for debt, and judge injured, they take care to have dismissed, or to release the punishment inflicted, or to moderate it.  
It belongs to that Sodality for charity late mentioned, though they be liberal to the poor also, yet principally to intent this; that by all means they may afford what help they can to the imprisoned. And therefore they depute some Prelate; whose office it is to be present with the Chamberlains at the visitation of the prisons, and to assist the guilty in their cause to the utmost. And to do it the better, there are adjoined to him, with an honourable Salary, two Proctors; who, seeing and examining the Process of the Guilty, endeavour to defend them what they can, both by words and writing.  
The poor prisoners have much need of these. For though the Apostolic Chamber hath allowed them an Advocate and a Proctor for their defence; yet so great is the number of the causes, that oft times these are not sufficient.  
This Sodality likewise, besides this diligent defence of the guilty prisoners, do thrice every week furnish bread to those among them that need it; and to the sick send a Physician, and very largely provide Physic, and all other things necessary for their recovery.  
In the foregoing Chapter we told you that this Sodality did maintain a Convent of Priests at St. Hierome's: out of this Convent they order some to go every day, and say Mass to the Prisoners, that they may not want that comfort.  
Besides this extraordinary charity towards the prisoners, which is practised by this Sodality; There are also in Rome many other persons, which go from door to door begging bread and money for them; among whom are those religious men of the Society of Jesus.  
Again, that other Sodality of the Florentines, called the Sodality of Mercy, upon certain festival days in the year make great Dinners for the prisoners.  
Again, the Preachers often stir up the people to give more liberally by telling them, that the money gathered is for the prisoners.  
By all which good offices some succour is afforded to that most miserable state of men; and the punishment of such wretches is not quite taken off; yet at least in a great measure eased.  
There is yet another pious Sodality in Rome, for the benefit of poor prisoners, in the College of St. John de Pinea, near the Minerva, consisting of Roman Citizens and Officers of the Court, much honoured by the munificence of Pope Sixtus the fifth.  
This Sodality every Monday sends certain Visitors into all the prisons, to take the names, the Country, the Cause, the Judge, and the Notary of those that are newly committed; and with great charity and diligence solicit the Judge and Notary, that each one's cause may be brought to speedy trial.  
It is a custom likewise of this Sodality twice every year, (That is upon the Feast of the Nativity, and Resurrection of our Lord,) for all the prisoners of debt under a hundred Crowns, freely to pay their Creditors what each one oweth; and delivering them out of prison, to give every one a Crown in their purse, and to send them home to their own houses.   

CHAP. IX. Of the plentiful provision of Dowries for poor Maids.  
IN this charitable work, as in all other, it will be evident, that the common-Parent, Rome, excels all other Cities of the world, by that very great number of Dowries which are there yearly bestowed. Nor is it easy to set down the certain number of them: For although the Dowries, arising out of certain pious Legacies, be constant and uniform, and the account of them easily cast up; yet besides these there are innumerable other Dowries given by certain Sodalities. Who, because they intent not this kind of charity only, but other sorts also, do therefore set aside for Dowries proportionably to the stock of their yearly Revenues. So that if they have laid out more in other good works, the less remains to be given in Dowries, and if but little in others, almost all is distributed in these. And again, because those particular Dowries, especially which arise out of legacies, come not always to public notice: I must content myself to speak of those only, which I myself have come to know.  
Upon New-year's day, then, that Society of the Holy Name of God, founded in the Church of St. Mary's Supra Minervam distributes certain Dowries to young Maidens.  
On the seventh of January, the Sodality of Inholders give more Dowries.  
On the fourteenth of January, there is a Legacy to that purpose of St. hilary's Chapel in the Lateran Church.  
And on the same day, the Sodality of St. Julian of the Flemings, give Dowries to the Maids of their Country.  
On the second of February, the Sodality of the most Holy Sacrament, in the Church of St. Mary's, in Via lata give their Dowries.  
On the ninth, the Sodality of St. Apollonia give theirs in the Church of the Augustine's.  
On the twenty fifth of March, the Sodality of the Annunciation Supra Minervam exceed herein all the rest, giving Dowries every year that day to above two hundred young Maids. And I suppose this Sodality gave the first beginning to this good work: Wherein they were much helped by Pope Leo the tenth; and likewise Pope Vrban the seventh left them his sole heirs.  
The Dowries, that this Sodality furnisheth, are distributed to these young Maids (every one led up between two noble Matrons clothed in white, and with their heads veiled) by the Pope himself; who with his own hands delivers to each one a Purse, with a Bill in it for the receiving of so much money; and this he doth publicly at the time of high Mass.  
Upon the twenty fifth of March, other Dowries are given by the Sodality of Cooks, Panterers and Pasterers, in the Church of St. Vincent and Anastasius.  
On the first of May, Dowries are bestowed by the Sodality of the Muleteers, in the Church of St. Anthony.  
On the twelfth day, the foresaid Sodality of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin, by a particular largess, give Dowries to Maids of Sienna only.  
On the nineteenth day, the same Maids of Sienna receive their Dowries from the Sodality of St. Katherine of Sienna.  
On the twenty sixth day, the Sodality of Neapolitans give their Dowries, in the Church of the Holy Ghost, which belongs to that Nation.  
On the ninth of June, the Sodality of St. James, vulgarly termed Scossacavallo.  
On the eleventh day, the Sodality of Nazarius and Celsus, in a Church of that title.  
On the ninteenth day, the Sodality of all the Officers, belonging to the Capitol in St. Mary's of Ara-caeli.  
And on the same day, the Sodality of St. Francis de Paula in his Church.  
On the twenty fourth day, the Sodality of Piety of the Florentines, which differs from that other Sodality of Mercy, of which we shall speak anon.  
On the same day, the Ligurians or Genovesi give Dowries to the Maids of their Nation, in the Church of St. John Baptist belonging to them.  
On the sixth of August, the Sodality of our Saviour in St. Mary's Supra Minervam.  
On the tenth day, the Sodality of St. Bernard in the Church of St. Susanna.  
On the fifteenth day, which is dedicated to the Assumption of our Blessed Lady, the Sodality of the Confalonery.  
On the same day, the Sodality of St. Roche, in the Church dedicated to him.  
On the two and twentieth day, the Sodality of the Holy Rosary, in St. Mary's supra Minervam.  
On the eighth of September, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the Society of the Annunciation of the Confalonery, and of Loretto.  
On the fifteenth day, the Sodality of St. Marcellus, in his Church.  
On the same, the Sodality of the Butchers, in St. Maries de Quercu.  
On the twenty ninth day, the Sodality of St. Michael the Archangel, in his Church.  
On the thirtieth day the Sodality of Charity of the Courtiers, in St. Hierome's Church.  
On the fourth of October, the Sodality of our Saviour, in St. John Lateran.  
On the same day, the Sodality of the Confalonery, and also the Sodality of those of Bononia, in the Oratory of St. Petronius, belonging to them.  
Likewise the Sodality of the most Holy Trinity, of the Pilgrims and Convalescents.  
On the sixth day, the Sodality of the Rosary, in St. Mary's supra Minervam.  
On the fourth of November, the pious Legacies of St. Mary's of Ara caeli.  
On the twelfth day, the Sodality of Tailors, in the Church of St. Homobono.  
On the sixth of December, the Sodality of St. Nicholas, of the Lorainers, in the Church of St. Lewis.  
On the eighth day, the Sodality of the Conception of the blessed Virgin, in St. Mary's supra Minervam.  
And on the twenty sixth day, the Sodality of St. Saviour's, in St. John Lateran's.  
To all these may be added, such Dowries as accrue upon particular legacies, whereof the number is very great; and also which are given by other Sodalities, and especially National ones, not upon set days Anniversarily, but as the necessity of times and persons may require; All which, if they should be cast up, would amount to a yearly sum of moneys, almost incredibly great.  
This is to be noted, that all the Dowries given at several times are not equal, but some more, some less; for one Sodality gives thirty Crowns, another forty, another fifty, to be distributed to that end. That of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin gives eight hundred Crowns, and besides to every one a Robe, and a pair of Chopines.  
For bestowing these Dowries, this is the order. A Petition is put up to the Sodality, in the name of the Virgin that is marriageable, expressing her condition, age, and habitation. Then there are deputed out of the Seniors of the Sodality certain Visitors; who go all together to see the several petitioners and their lodgings: and if they find them of honest report among their neighbours, and have a good testimony from their parish Priest; they make relation thereof to the Sodality: And accordingly are they written down among those that are to receive Dowries. If they find it otherwise, they make no relation at all. Those that are writ down are certified of it; that if they happen to contract themselves in the mean time, they may engage for so much more to be added to what was promised in Dowry. But if any one of those that are written down, and so appointed to receive a Dowry, behave herself less decently than becomes a Virgin, they presently send her word that she hath forfeited that favour; and herein are the constitutions very rigorously observed.  
Now because one of the forementioned Dowries is too little to put off the Maid with; therefore one and the same person may be admitted at several times to receive many Dowries given by divers Sodalities. So that some come to receive at last no less than four hundred or five hundred Crowns before ever she be given in marriage.  
Just now while I writ this I am told, that a certain pious and rich man is lately dead, who hath left by Will a certain in some of money, yearly payable, to make up a handsome Dowry for such women of the common Stews that shall be willing to be married. A work well thought upon, and which will not want certainly a reward suitable to its Charity, from him who leaves nothing unrecompensed.   

CHAP. X. Concerning public places appointed for the reception and entertainment of Pilgrims and Strangers of all Nations.  
NOthing is more sacred, nothing more acceptable to God, than a pious Hospitality in entertaining Strangers. The Holy Religion of Christians doth not only persuade it by way of counsel, but also by precept commands it. Frange esurienti panem tuum, egenos vagosque induc in domum tuam. Isaiah 58.7. Break thy bread to the hungry, and the needy and wand'ring persons bring into thy house. And it is a matter of high commendation, not only for private persons, but also for Cities themselves, that there be both private and public.  
We shall not speak of the private Hospitality, because the actions of private men come to be taken notice of only by few: but we shall here treat of the public, to show how far in it the City of Rome excels all other Cities of the world.  
The first and chiefest of all these public houses, wherein Strangers of all sorts, come when they will, are courteously and with all kind of Civility entertained, is; That which they call the Hospital of the most Holy Trinity near to Xistus his bridge.  
This Hospital had its beginning under Pope Paul the third, very mean, (as most other pious inventions) being first set on foot by Crescentius Sylva a Priest of Sienna.  
This holy Priest observing many strangers uncertainly wand'ring about the City, hired, with the help of some of his friends, to whom he communicated his purpose, a large house and fitted it with beds, and there lodged as many of those strangers as the largeness of the house and the number of the beds could well receive.  
So charitable a design wanted not assistance: So that in a short time he had built there a fair Church, and purchasing more houses thereabouts added, them to the Hospital, and Priests for divine service to the Church.  
This Hospital, or House of public reception, is governed by a company or Sodality of Laymen (that is a lay charge) though they admit Clery-men too, which Sodality takes care for all things necessary. And though there at any time is used Hospitality after a most courteous manner; yet in the year of Jubilee, (by reason of the extraordinary multitudes of Strangers then flocking to Rome) this institution appears in its greatest lustre. For sometimes in one night there are counted no less than fifteen thousand Guests. Indeed so great a multitude of men cannot be received in the proper lodgings of the house only, though very capacious; and therefore others adjoining are always hired for the year of Jubilee. And as this, and the other expenses put them much in debt, then; so are they freed from that debt again in the other years wherein the layings out are not so excessive.  
The year of Jubilee 1600. being ended, and an account taken of the number of Strangers here in the compass of that year entertained and booked, they were found to be of men four hundred forty four thousand five hundred: and of women twenty five thousand five hundred.  
The order used in the practice of this charity is admirable. As soon as the Strangers are arrived, they all have the first night their feet washed, and are refreshed, the women apart by themselves from the men. After thus washing in the Holy year a Sermon is made to them, and then they are conducted to the table; their meat being served-up, as also their feet washed, this first night, usually by honourable persons.  
The Supper ended, they are conducted to Bed; so without all noise, that it may seem a kind of miracle that so many men of several nations accord so quietly together.  
The time of their entertainment here is but for three days; though it be extended further to those who come from far.  
To this pious work, because the Revenues of the house are not able to bear so great a charge, many and large charitable contributions are supplied by others. This is certain and to be admired, that by the providence of God there was never yet wanting to furnish the table in a handsome manner. For such Strangers as are Priests, though the diet allowed them be the same with the rest; yet in reverence to their order, they have a proper house apart destined to that use.  
About the year of our Lord 1460. by the confraternity of St. Lucy (between the Capitol and Marcellus' Baths) and because it hath not a Church commodiously adjoining, there is hired by the Sodality, till they can build one of their own, another large house wherein all the poor Priest may be entertained for a whole months' space, or longer if need be. And this house, that it may be publicly known, wears this title in the front:  
Hospitium Pauperum Sacerdotum Peregrinorum.  
An House of Entertainment for such poor Priests as are Pilgrims, or Strangers.  
Like to this house there is another of later times, erected by Don John Baptista Vives a Spaniard; who buying a fair Palace standing at the foot of Collis Hortulorum in Rome, designed it for such Strangers, Priests; such as are of those nations, who have no particular College of their own in that City, and for the propagation of the Faith; as the following Inscription on its Frontispeice declares, added in Pope Vrban the Eight's Pontificate.  
Collegium 
 De Propagan. in univer. Mundum 
 Per Sacerdotes Seculares 
 Catholicâ fide 
 Urbani VIII. Anno primo.  
And although this Founder dwells himself still in this Palace; yet was he no hindrance to the Priests living there, but conversed with them, and was often on his occasions permitted present at their consultations; of which the chief scope is to propose advices, ways, and helps by which the Christian Catholic Religion may best be propagated over all the world. Some of these Priests make no scruple voluntarily to offer themselves to be sent even into the Countries of Heretics, or Infidels; either by preaching and good example of life to recover them from their errors; or even by effusion of their own blood to assert the Catholic verity.   

CHAP. XI. Of National Hospitals for Entertainment of Strangers according to the Nation they are of.  
BEsides the general places of receipt for strangers forementioned, many Nations because of the general confluence of them to Rome have here erected houses for the Reception of of their own Countrymen.  
The first of these in honour to be named is that of the Germans dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under the title de Animâ, or of the Soul. It had its beginning An. Dom. 1350. upon occasion of the Jubilee by some of their own nation; who having no Issue of their own, gave up their houses for the Entertainment of such Strangers subject to the Empire as came to Rome; and built them a Church, though not very large, in honour of the Blessed Virgin on this condition; That therein Prayers should be made to God by such Strangers as were there to be entertained, for the Founder's Souls; and thence it had its name of St. Mary of the Soul. By the munificence and charity of later times this house of entertainment hath been much enlarged, a fairer add more capacious Church built, and the Revenue thereof much increased.  
Over it is set a congregation of twelve or fourteen men of the same Nation, by whose prudence and authority it is managed and laid out in pious uses; especially in Hospitality to poor Germane Pilgrims, at what time soever they come.  
For to such there is provided for many days convenient diet, and lodging. When they depart the town a piece of money do correspondent to the quality of the person is bestowed on them for their voyage. The women have a house apart, where are constantly maintained in a decent manner such as have been the Daughters and Wives of Germans.  
To the Church for divine offices celebrated after a collegiate manner, belong fourteen Priests, a Sacrist, an Organist, four Acolytes. Out of these Priests, who are styled the Chaplains, is chosen one to have a care of the Pilgrims and to order them, and therefore is named their father: And whereas by a late Rule solemn High Mass is to be said early in the Morning, he is not to dismiss them until they have heard it.  
There is an house of Hospitality also for the French, dedicated to St. Lewis, with a fair Church adjoining. It is governed by a Congregation of thirty persons, twelve Frenchmen, six Lorainers, six Savoyards, and six Britons; and when any one of them dieth, the congregation chooseth another in his room.  
All things belonging to the Church are administered by twenty six Priests; to whom Cardinal Contarello added eight Singers, and an Organist, that on Festivals sing the Service.  
That Hospitality is ordered by three of the said Priests; whereof one is always the Entertainer, and the other two his Assistants by turns. All Strangers of the French Nation, that come, are received here for three days, and then are dismissed with some gratuity given them, as a pious and charitable Token.  
Such houses of Hospitality and public entertainment are here provided for most other. Nations; namely such distinct houses for the Spaniards, for the Fortugueses, the Lombard's, Geronese, Low-Courtrica, Bohemians, Polonians, Hungerians, Illyrians, Swedes, Goths, and Vandals, for the Britons in France, for the English, the Scots, the Indians, and Armenians.  
The House for the English was begun An. Dom. 1398. by John Shepard an Englishman, and then Inhabitant of Rome (upon a sad accident happening upon an English woman straying up and down the City by night) augmented afterwards by others, who built also close by it a Church, dedicated to the most Holy Trinity. And near about the same time a certain English Merchant built a Church to the honour of St. Edmond King of that Nation (Whose Feast is kept the twentieth of November) and adjoined to it a little Hospital for English Mariners, in the Region beyond Tiber, near St. Chrysogonus. In both these places was Hospitality practised, till the defection of that Nation. After which Englishmen coming very seldom to Rome, Gregory the thirteenth (being Pope) added to that house of Entertaintment a College for that Nation, and adjoined moreover the foresaid Hospital for Mariners, but not yet taking away the former custom of Entertainment.  
The Scots had in Rome their house of Entertainment in Campo Martio; and near it a Chapel dedicated to St. Andrew, the Patron of that Kingdom; but when it fell off from the Church, there was none left either to exercise or to receive Hospitality. Some years after Alexander Seaton, a Nobleman of Scotland, yielded up, in the name of his Nation, that House and Chapel to the Sodality of Corpus Christi, of the Parochial Church of St. Andrew, near adjoining; upon this condition; That the Sodality should be obliged to receive and entertain poor Strangers of the Scottish Nation; which it willingly undertaken, and bound itself by public Instruments drawn to that purpose, and is ready to perform the promise when any one come to receive the benefit.  
An house of reception was assigned for the Indians, near St. Stephen's Church in the Vatican, by Pope Clement the seventh. What is necessary for their entertainment being supplied to that house out of the Apostolical Palace itself, it being thought a very unworthy thing that any kindness should be wanting to a Nation that came to Rome for Devotion sake, from a Country so exceeding far off. And by reason of that great distance there is no time prescribed them for to stay, but if they will always abide here, they shall be always maintained, where they are with all diligence taught the Catholic Faith, that if they return again to their friends, they may discover to them too, how they are deceived.  
Much what in the same manner are the Armenians treated; who after three days Entertainment are asked for their Testimonials, which being produced, if they are found to be of the Grecian Schism, they are advised to forsake their Error, and are taught the Latin Rites and Religion, that if they should return again to their friends they may profess and defend it.  
There is also near to the Porta Pia, founded by Pope Pius the fourth, an house for the reception and entertainment of Hermits.  
Most of these houses of Charity formentioned have a Church also adjoining to them, and divine offices administered there by a certain number of Priests. The care of the Hospital and Church is undertaken by a congregation of Lay persons, of the chief of the said Nations, electing others when any dies. The Hospitality used and showed to men, and women apart for avoiding scandal. The time of their entertainment is ordinarily for three or four days, but some for a longer time, namely for a month or more.   

CHAP. XII. Of the Roman Charity for Burial of such Dead, as die extreme poor, or are executed by the hand of Justice.  
IT is not to be imagined that Rome, the great advancer of Piety, while she relieves Living by so many inventions, like a careful Mother, should leave the Dead without all obsequies. The Sodality of Piety did first take care to bury in holy ground such dead bodies as they found throughout the streets and passages of Rome, or could recover when drowned in Tiber. But because, as we have seen, they came to be wholly employed in other works of Charity, There was erected another Sodality of good people, who were wholly to intent their office, and no other: and for such poor as dying left not wherewith they might be decently and christianly buried, they were to take care to have such bodies carried to their graves with all just rites, with a convenient number of torches, and Priests, and brethren of the Sodality accompanying them, even when they were to be brought from any of the Suburbs or farthest part of the liberty of the City, or out of the fields, and Country not a little way distant: neither could the Winter reins, nor the Summer heats any way retard them in so holy a custom, so that there was still found in this City more than one good Tobias.  
Add we unto this piece of Charity another of the Florentines, or rather of the whole people of Tuscany, which is a work admirable for its extraordinary benignity towards such as are condemned to die. This Sodality, the day before that execution is to be done upon the condemned person, sends some of their number, such as are most fit for that important work, and very often those of the prime Gentleman, to the prison wherein the person to be executed is kept, who receives not the sentence for execution till these be present. He, after this sad sentence given, commonly falls down before them on the gournd, immediately howling and beating himself almost distracted, and miserable wretch as it were tortured with the thoughts of his punishment denies the fact, beseeches the Judge, and knowing not what to do or say, like a foolish man imputes the justice he hath deserved either to some fate of the Stars; or blasphemously chargeth God with what his sins have brought on him. The Brethren of the Sodality begin with gentle words to persuade the miserable Creature, yea they take him up lovingly in their arms, and embracing him exhort him to patience according to the condition of the party: and with many arguments drawn out of the principles of Christian Religion; As that God himself for his sake became man, and endured all the miseries of humane nature, and though he had committed no offence, yet refused not to suffer death upon the Cross; That he was guilty of many and indeed very grievous crimes, such as often deserved death before God, and therefore that he came now to bear the punishment due to so many heinous offences: and so they go on suggesting these and such other things whereby desperate and exulcerated minds are brought to a sounder temper, till at last he come to confess his faults, and, being truly contrite, be reconciled to God.  
All that whole time, both of the day and night, is spent in divine exhortations and discourses till the hour of execution come; which when it gins to draw near, Mass is said; and the person to be put to death receives the Communion, wherewith being fortified, he is presently led forth towards the place of execution: the Sodality going by two and two before the man that is to die, (being all covered over head and all down to the very feet with black vestments, or frocks of Buckram, and carrying a black Cross) continue reciting Prayers. Those two, that spent the night before with him in calming his mind, take him now in the middle between them, and so supporting him with their shoulders and arms lead him through that part of the City which he is to pass. In the time of suffering they exhort him to constancy with many arguments, showing him that many have passed that way to life everlasting. They mind him that the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, as our Saviour Christ himself manifested both by word and deed; neither do they forsake the poor wretch as long as he hath any breath in his body. Execution being passed they return home by two and two in great sadness and silence, but return again in the same order before night to the place of execution, and nobly with their own hands cut that infamous Rope, and so laying the Corpse upon a black Bier, carry it to a funeral Solemnity to the Church of the Sodality dedicated to St. John the beheaded.    

The Second PART. Of Spiritual Works of CHARITY.  

CHAP. I. Of initiating of Children in the first Rudiments of Learning, and Holy Mysteries of Christian Religion.  
OF all the Spiritual works of Charity, that may be reduced to a certain Rule, this is the very first: To teach the ignorant found Doctrine, the neglect whereof how much prejudicial it is for the Commonwealth, we need no other demonstration than the unhappy examples of our times.  
Children are here taught, almost from their very Infancy, the mysteries of the Christian and Catholic Faith, in every Parish upon Holy days, with very great care. For it is of much concernment with what liquor you season a new made Vessel, for the scent thereof it retains a long while, if I may not say for ever.  
Now this work is performed, not so much by the Rectors themselves of every Church, as by the College of Priests, erected particularly for that purose; to whom is adjoined a Sodality of Lay persons, who being distributed according to parishes contribute their help to assist the Priests. And though Children may be initiated in the mysteries of faith without being taught to read, if they have good memories, and retain what they learn; yet we find it easier to deal with those who can read. Wherefore throughout all the regions of the City there are public Schools erected, whose masters have their Salaries allowed out of the public. And not many years since, certain men out of great charity towards poor Boys took this burden upon themselves, to whom afterwards Clicerius Landrianus, a Gentleman of Lombardy, and Commendator of the Monastery of St. Anthony in Placentia, made no small addition: and at length by the Pope's approbation, the Church of St. Pantaleon, near to the Street of the place Navona, in the middle of the City, was assigned to that charitable College of those men forespoken of; and houses thereabouts provided, sufficient to receive above twelve hundred poor Boys.  
Hither then, from all parts, come every day forenoon, and afternoon, tle Boys of the town of what condtion soever they be, to be taught: And being distributed to several Classes, particular care is had of them. Here they are taught the first Rudiments both of Learning and Christian Religion, and least when they are dismissed from School, they should run playing about the town, the same men that have care of them, conduct them all along in troops by two and two to their houses until they see every one at home.  
This work seems very pious, were it but for this, That those men that undertake it are very far from all ambition, or pride of Spirit, for they deal not but with Children, and these of the meaner sort too: and this also not to teach them the Sciences, but with a great humiliation of themselves, and shunning ostentation, to know their letters and to read, and such inferior Documents.  
This Institute, from the great good that accrues from hence to the Republic, is spread over all Italy: and might very easily be propogated throughout Europe.   

CHAP. II. Of the greater Schools, and Public Roman College; and the University called the Sapientia.  
THose Boys that have been spoken of to have learned the first Rudiments of Reading and Writing, etc. in those public Schools, and being for the most part poor men's Children are set, as soon as they come to years and strength, to such Mechanical Arts as their Parents most desire. And some of them whose Parents are better able, or can find some friends and Maecenas' to do for them, are sent to the great School of the City, the Roman College. This Roman College was the Foundation of that never sufficiently to be commended Pope, Gregory the thirteenth; and he committed it to be governed by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus. A Fabric not yet completed, but what is done is most magnificent and princely, of so large an extent that it may seem a town rather than one house.  
Herein are maintained, of the Religious of that Society, Readers and Auditors two hundred These Auditors as they grow perfect in the Sciences, so are preferred to be Readers not in this College only, but throughout all Italy.  
A convenient yearly Revenue to this purpose was assigned them by that most Holy Pope.  
The Reading is performed both in the Forenoon, and in the Afternoon, there being a wonderful concourse both of Secular and Religious persons, coming out of their Convents thither, nay out of divers Cities of Italy, by reason of the same of the most renowned College of all the world.  
There is taught in the first Classes severally the Latin, and the Greek tongues.  
Unto Grammar is adjoined Rhetoric and Poetry, and what other Arts conduce to humane Learning.  
When this course is gone through, the Scholars may bethink themselves whether they will go on and study those Sciences which are taught there, that is, Philosophy and Theology, or rather apply their pains to the Law, and Physic: if they like the former Studies, they are taught all the parts of Philosophy, Natural, Moral, and the Mathematics; and, if they will proceed still, Theology, either Scholastic or Moral. But if they like better Law, or Physic, they betake themselves to the University of the City called the Sapientia.  
This University hath a Fabric of Schools, large and stately, and Professors in them of all Sciences; they have very ample Salaries: But because Philosophy, and Theology, do flourish most among these fathers of the Society of Jesus, the Professors of those Sciences have yet very few Auditors.  
Yet the Law being distributed into many Classes, as also the Art of Physic, hath Professors there of all parts of it, and accordingly very many Auditors.  
The Professors here have their Salaries out of the Prince's Tributes, assigned to them by the munificence of many Popes, especially Leo the tenth, and Sixtus the fifth.  
The Government of this place, for what concerns the maintenance thereof, belongs to the Chamberlain, and Clerks of the Camera Apostolica; and, for what concerns the Professors and Reading, to the Advocates of the consistorial Hall, who have power to make the Auditors Licentiates and Doctors in the faculty of the Law: but the promoting of Doctors of Divinity is in the power of the Master of the Sacred Palace Apostolical; of whom we shall speak in due place more largely.   

CHAP. III. Of certain private Colleges in the City of Rome.  
BEsides these two public ones, The City of Rome hath many other private Colleges, founded by divers Popes, Cardinals and other Ecclesiastical persons; and the Alumni or Students maintained in them, have either Readers of their own, or else at the hour of public lectures, according to the Statutes of their houses, repair to the foresaid public Schools; and Lecture being done return home to their own Colleges.  

I. Of the Roman Seminary.  
The first of these private Colleges is that which they call the Roman Seminary, which Pope Pius the fourth, according to the Decrees of the Trent Council instituted and founded, wherein a hundred young men are maintained and taught Divinity, according as that Council prescribes. The maintenance, for them and their Rector, is by a competent yearly Revenue taken out of the Ecclesiastical income of the City of Rome.  
This Seminary is governed by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, with exact care taken of the young men.  
Besides these Alumni, who live upon the public charge, there are in this Seminary also gentlemen's Sons, called Convictors, to distinguish them from those Alumni: These pay so much a Month more than what is allowed for any one of the Alumni, whom they exceed likewise in number; for hither come to be brought up in Learning not only the Nobility and Gentry of Rome, but of all Italy, and many too from the other side of the Alps, and beyond the Seas.  
The manner of Education and breeding of young men here is admirable; for they are trained up to Piety as well as Learning. They go to hear their Lecture to the Roman College and every Classis of them; hath one of the Fathers of the Society that calls them to Repetition of those things that they heard from their Readers.  
Every particular Chamber hath one of the same Society for a Perfect, which is never out of the company of the young men of that Chamber, but is always with them whilst they dine and sup, and walk; and when they go to the College, and when they return.  
Their Diet is plentiful, and yet frugal. After this same manner live all the other Colleges which are subject to the Government of the Fathers of the Society, here to be set down in order.   

II. Of Colleges in Rome built for particular Nations. First, Of the Germane College.  
Pope Julius the third founded a College in this City for the Germane Nation. For whilst Luther raged so in Germany, he thought by the means of the Alumni maintained in this College, who after some time spent in Rome were to return again to their own Country, their seduced Countrymen might be reclaimed to a better understanding. Neither was his hope altogether frustrate, but yet he dying, this College, which was scarce supported by a competent yearly Revenue, began to decay, so that it was almost reduced to nothing. Whereupon Gregory the thirteenth, for the great zeal he had for the house of God, much approved the design of this College, and even founded it again by settling on it a very ample yearly Revenue.  
The Government hereof, as of all the other Colleges founded by that Pope, is committed to the Religious of the Society of Jesus: and he would have it called the Germane and Hungarian College, because in it are maintained both Germans and Hungarians, and some Flemings.  
The Alumni of this College are about a hundred and fifty, more or less, their diet and clothing convenient, they go, as we said before of the Seminary, at their set hours, to hear the public Lections in the Roman College. There are among them some young men of the chiefest Gentry in their own Country, who having finished their Studies return home, and do excellent service for the Catholic Faith. The Church belonging to this College is the Parish Church of St. Apollinary, near to the place Navona; as also the great House adjoining belongeth thereto.  
The Service in the Church is performed by the Alumni, and to it is added a Choir most famous for Music, for which alone there is allowed yearly the sum of two thousand Gold Crowns.   

II. Of the English College.  
The same most Holy Pope Gregory founded Colleges in Rome, for almost all other Nations that fell into Schism from the true Faith and Religion.  
As to the English he assigned the Church of the most Holy Trinity, near the Campus Florae, together with the adjoining houses very ample and large, and a sufficient yearly Revenue.   

III. The Greek College.  
For the Greeks he built a College from the Foundation, and a Church dedicated to St. Gregory Nazianzen in the Via Flaminica, and endowed it with a yearly revenue.   

iv The Maronites College.  
For the Maronites, that is for those that to this day remain Christians almost by a kind of Prodigy, inhabiting still Mount Libanon, he built likewise a Church and College at the foot of the Mount Quirinal, from the very Foundations, adding unto it a yearly Revenue: That so they being well instructed in the true Religion, when they return home may be able to inform others in what themselves have so well learned; and when they are to take that journey, they have a very large Viaticum allowed them by reason of the length of the way.   

V The College for Neophytes.  
For the Neophytes, that is for those that are newly converted from Judaisme, or Atheism to the Christian Faith, he began to build a very large College, as the beginnings thereof do show, near to the Basilica Agrippa, but being prevented by death could not finish it. Yet afterwards Pope Clement the eighth by a good sum of money contributed much to the setting forward of that work before begun.   

VI The Scots College.  
For the Scots the same Pope Clement built a College in the Mount Quirinal; and endowed it with a yearly Revenue.  
All these foresaid Colleges are governed by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus: and the Students in them at the tolling of a Bell go all to the public Lections in the Roman College, as we said before of the Roman Seminary.   

VII. The Clementine College for the Illyrians.  
The holy house of Loretto, famous throughout all the world, hath ever anciently maintained in the City of Rome some young Scholars Illyrians, to be instructed there in Learning, and especially in Divinity: That returning to their friends they might inform them in sound Doctrine. These wanted a common College, which the aforesaid Pope Clement (insisting in the piety and zeal of Pope Gregory) built for them, a capacious one in Campo Martio upon the banks of Tiber, calling it after his own name, The Clementine College.  
He entrusted it to be governed by the Religious Fathers of the Summascan congregation; who (besides the Illyrians, for each of whom the foresaid holy house of Loretto pays a hundred Crowns a year,) as the Roman Seminary, take the Sons of Gentlemen of any part of Italy for Convictors, whom they restore again to their parents, well educated in Piety and Learning. This College hath Readers of its own foundation both in Grammar, Rhetoric, Philosophy and Theology. And therefore the Alumni thereof frequent not the public Roman College as the Alumni of other Colleges do.   

VIII. Of two particular Colleges, founded by two Cardinals in their own Palaces.  
Dominicus of Capranica was a noble Roman, and made Cardinal by Pope Martin the fifth. But a very little before his death he turned his own Palace into a College, calling it Collegium Capranicum after his own name, not far from Basilica Agrippa.  
In this College are maintained thirty and two young men, who are to study Divinity, or Law, and not to leave the house unless they are Doctors.  
The Government of this College he ordered to belong to the Sodality of our Saviour ad Sancta Sanctorum, but the Election of the Scholars to be in the power of many and divers. Each Region of the City elects or presents one, but the Regions, Montium Columnae, Trivii, Campi Martis & Pineae, present two. The Family of the Colonni six, the Family of the Capranicans seven, the Archbishop of Firma, and the Bishop of Ancona, and Fano, one a piece. And tho, as I said, the whole government of this College belong to the forementioned Sodality, yet they chose thirteen of their own number, men of great integrity, to whom is committed the particular care thereof, and the right of approving persons elected and presented, or if they be found unworthy, to reject them: For none are admitted but such as are ingenious, and well given.  
Cardinal Stephen Nardino of Forly, Archbishop of Milan, seems to have emulated Cardinal Dominick in this work. For accordingly in imitation of him he also founded a like College in his own Palace, and put it, and the government of the Scholars therein, under the same Sodality of our Saviour, ad Sancta Sanctorum: to which Sodality therefore he left many great Legacies.  
These two Colleges have each of them their Rectors, and other necessary Officers, but yet no Preceptors or Readers, but every day the Students of them go at their hours to hear the Lections at the public places of the City, that is, either the Sapientia, or the Roman College.   

IX. Of the College for Orphans.  
This College was founded and built by Antonio Maria Cardinal Salviato, to which, by particular concession of the Pope, was allotted the parish Church of St. Mary's in Aquiro, whose title when the foresaid Cardinal had obtained, there was then Rector of that parish Church a good pious man, who had been bereft of his Parents in his Childhood: and so, having had experience what a miserable and desolate condition of life that is, earnestly be sought the Cardinal that he would repair that ancient Church then falling to decay, and think of relieving poor Orphans.  
The Cardinal took the Church quite down, and in its place built up another from the foundation, adding to it an Hospital, and a College, to which he presently assigned ten thousand gold Crowns; and afterwards by Will left to it a Farm of the value in those days of twenty thousand gold Crowns.  
Although the College and the Hospital be contained both within one Circuit, yet they have no Intercourse one with another, but each hath its own Rectors and Offices.  
The College hath no determinate number of Alumni, but it is still filled up out of the Hospital, by such youths as are found there of better disposition and wit, and of these many are afterwards preferred to Prelates, Noblemen, yea to Cardinals themselves to be their Chaplains, or Secretaries, or Assistants in their Studies, in all which offices they commendably show of what importance it is to have a good education.   

X Of the College Matthaei, or St. Hierome's College.  
Hieronimo Matthaei being of a very rich Family in Rome, and then made Clerk of the Camera Apostolica, and next Auditor of the same Camera, and at last advanced into the number of Cardinals by Pope Sixtus Quintus, founded a College and dedicated it to the Saint of his own name. He left no certain yearly Revenue to it, but enjoined his Heirs and their Successors forever to supply to that College all things necessary for the maintenance of the Alumni thereof, which they faithfully execute.  
This College hath Readers of its own, both in Philosophy and Theology.   

XI. Palotta 's College.  
Evangelista Palotta of Picenum, named Cardinal Cusentinus by Sixtus Quintus, founded a College of twelve young men, who were to study Theology in his own house; and dying left the most Reverend John Baptista Palotta, his brother's Son, his Heir, a man of great integrity and famous for an Embassy into Portugal from Pope Vrban the eighth: To him he committed the care of this College.  
Peter Corso Protonotary Apostolic, and Referendary of either Signature, left for his sole Heir the Sodality of the Holy Ghost of the Sicilians on this side Pharos: on whom he laid a charge, That they should found a College for their Countrymen: So much the Stone saith upon his Sepulchre.   

XII. Cardinal Gymnasius' College.  
Dominick Cardinal Gymnasius founded a College in his house altogether like this, and himself still living is head of it, prescribing the Laws and the number of the Alumni.   

XIII. Of several Religious Houses having Readers and Professors after the manner of Colleges.  
Now besides all these foresaid Colleges there are in Rome many Convents both of Monks and Mendicant Friars, wherein to all of those Orders severally are daily read most accurate Lections by the chiefest and most learned Professors in Philosophy and Theology. As 

To the Benedictines at St. Calistus.  
To the Vallumbrosians at St. Praxedes.  
To the Dominicans at St. Mary's Supra Minervam.  
To the Friar's Minors observantines in Ara caeli.    
And so to others, each in their own Convent, whereof it would be too tedious to give an exact Catalogue. And tho, these Lections and Studies are not perpetual in these places, but may upon occasion be removed at the pleasure of the Superiors, yet this happens very seldom; but where once a course of Studies and Arts is introduced, it is still preserved as it were a due to that Convent.   

XIV. St. Bonaventure's College of Minor Conventuals.  
Pope Sixtus Quintus in the Convent of the twelve Apostles hath sounded a College for the Minors Conventuals, under the title of St. Bonaventure, which is not subject to be removed at all, for he hath annexed to it a very fair yearly Revenue for the maintenance of a good number of Professors of the same order, among whom there are learned men not a few.   

XV. Of the College for Catechumeni.  
The City of Rome, the supreme Seat for the Christian Faith, ought not to be wanting in providing an honourable house of Reception for all those who forsaking Baal, or turning from being Jews, Saracens, Musulmans, or any other profane Sects in the world, fly to her for secure.  
For these there is appointed a place at the foot of the Capitol, and a Church there dedicated to St. John Baptist. The house is very large, and in it are received in several quarters such men and women who are come over happily to the Service of the true God.  
They are first taught the sacred Principles and Mysteries of the Christian Faith, than brought to be baptised, and when baptised if they be young people, and adult, and can easily get their living, they are dismissed. If they be old persons they are retained, if Children they are there educated till they be fit for labour; and Girls if they come thither Infants with their Parents, they are both maintained so long together till they want no Nurse, for than they are led away to a Monastery of Female Catechumen near to Nerva his Forum; where they are educated in all Piety: and grown marriageable, are either provided with Husbands, or, if they had rather, live Nuns in the same Monastery under the Rule of St. Dominick. Both these houses are under the government of a Sodality of grave men, Citizens and Priests, but the maintenance is supplied by the Rectors of the Church of our Lady in Montibus, of which in its place.  
The Protector to both is the same Cardinal of great integrity and learning, who alone by the Pope's Bull is the competent Judge of the Catechumeni.    

CHAP. IU. Of public Sermons and Preaching of the Word of God in Rome.  
Although, in the Advent before the Nativity of Christ our Lord, and in that ancient time of fasting in the Church of God, the Lent before his Resurrection from the Dead, Sermons are most frequent, the word of God being then preached every day in most Convents, Collegiate and Patriarchal Churches, at which times come abroad great and learned Orators most powerful in preaching; yet for the rest of the year the Pulpits are not silent, for on every Festival there are Sermons at the Augustine's, at the Dominicans, Servites, Carmelites, Jesuits, and other Mendicants in the Mornings after Mass, and in the Afternoons after Vespers: and the same is done likewise in many Colleges of Secular Priests, which occasions a very great increase of spiritual improvements.  
There is in Rome a congregation of pious men, termed from their praying Oratorians, whose Founder was Bishop Philip Neri, now registered in the Catalogue of Saints by Pope Gregory the fifteenth: To these Gregory the thirteenth assigned a little Church called St. Mary's in Vallicella, which being pulled down was built again into a larger and statelier Fabric, for the most part by the Caesii, as we shall declare anon. The Institute of this congregation is to meet every day at set hours to spend them in Prayer, both vocal and mental, where are present a very great number of Secular persons. The time of Prayer being ended, there is proposed by any one of the company some short point tending to the edification of their neighbour. From thence one of the Congregation takes occasion to discourse by way of Sermon for half an hour, that done another steps up, and doth the like, and after him another even to four, so that every day at divers times you may have no less than four divine discourses or Sermons, all much conducing to Christian perfection. These are made in the Church. But besides these there are others twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, made in the Oratory, different from the former both in argument and design. For first the Litanies are said, next a Choir of Music consisting of most sweet melody of voices, and admirable harmony of musical instruments, whereby Praises are sung to God; then follows a Sermon, whereby all that are present are invited to chastise themselves, at which time the lights are removed, and the company, being only men, begin to chastise their bare backs, some with Cords, some with other kind of Whips, in good earnest, during which time the Psalm, Miserere mei Deus, is recited with a loud voice; which being ended, sign is given of ceasing, and every one putting on his Doublet again returns to his place; the lights are brought in, and after most solemn Music all are dismissed.  
This custom of praying, chastising, preaching, conferring and singing, is used in many other confraternities and sodalities of Laymen.  
It is observed at St. John Baptist in Campo Martio near St. Silvesters, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  
On Tuesdays in the Congregation of Somasca at St. Blazes in Mount Citerius.  
On Thursday at the Clarks regular of St. Paul in Antoninus' Forum.  
On Saturdays at St. Maries de Plancta. And on the same day, and on the Sundays, at the Jesuits in the Oratory of the congregation of Noblemen, where meet not only Laymen of the chiefest Nobility, but also the greatest Prelates of the Court, even the most eminent Cardinals of the Roman Church.  
And that the ordinary sort of Citizens, who get their maintenance by their handicrafts, may not be deprived of their portion in these Spiritual Reflections and Sermons; there is preaching for them by the Fathers of the same Society on every Sunday and Holiday in the Roman College; at what time all other Lections cease. Besides in the same College there is a congregation of Scholars of the better sort that frequent that College devoted to the blessed Virgin's Annunciation, these being proposed as Examples to the rest.  
And because, besides these Gentlemen, Merchants and Tradesmen, there is a great multitude of common country people that flock to Rome from all the places round about adjoining, upon all Holidays; therefore the Jesuits have a fatherly care of them also, and preach to them the word of God, where they stand assembled in the public Streets and Market places of the City, thereby working upon them to free them from their natural rudeness, and breed in them a deeper sense of piety and devotion. Wherefore in those Sermons to the vulgar they use such fervour of Spirit, and such incitements to repentance, that you shall see great companies of them immediately after Sermon ended following the Preacher into some Church, and there presently to confess their sins to a Priest ready for that purpose, and with due preparation (more than usually is found in such people) to the great comfort of their Souls to come and receive the Holy Communion, which is there delivered to them in great charity: and commonly when they are to departed, to every one is given some little present as a token of Christian Charity.  
For a Close, and as it were a corollary to this Chapter, we will crown it with the Institute of the Sodality of the Rosary of the blessed Virgin; which to so great benefit of Souls was erected in the Church of St. Mary's Supra Minervam.  
The Brethren of this Sodality meet still upon the first Sunday of every month, and having recited first the prayers of the Rosary go round the Church with tapers in their hands, as the Orthodox always did, using the solemn Litanies. That done, one of the Religious of that Convent makes a learned and devout Sermon to those of the Brotherhood and the rest of the people there present, in the praise of the blessed Virgin; which ended they return to their Prayers and so departed.  
This is done (only the Litany omitted) thrice in every week to the great edification, of the Brethren themselves; and of all the people. For though Prayers may be said at home, yet surely not so well as in the Church, where are so many Fathers; and where so great a cry, augmented much by a happy conjunction, is sent up to Almighty God. For thou obtainest not thy suit so easily (saith St. chrysostom) when thou prayest alone, as when in company with thy Brethren; for in this is something more viz. a concord, a conspiring, an union of love and charity, and above all the intercession of the Priests; for to this end are the Priests set over the people: That the people's supplications, which are but weak and faint, climbing about theirs which are stronger may together with them be carried up into Heaven.  
This holy Institute hath had many Privileges and Indulgences granted unto it by several Popes.   

CHAP. V Concerning certain Religious Com-promisers of Strifes, Deciders of Lawcases, and just Defenders of right Pleas.  
Although by all laws it be permitted by every one to use all good means to defend himself and his rights, yet because that love, which we carry towards every thing that is our own, doth still flatter us so much, that we will have our opinion for the most part to be preferred before the judgement of all others whatsoever; it often falls out that in this kind we run into many and gross errors. Many good men have set themselves to prevent these Errors; but especially and more accurately those of the Oratory, who, as soon as they understand any persons to disagree, make it their business to find out the cause and the original of the discord: which being discovered they use all their arguments that may exhort, and in a manner compel the dissenting parties to terms of agreement.  
There is in the commonwealth very great use of this kind of persuasion to union, for what is more desirable than the Concord of Subjects, it being the State's safest Establishment.  
But if the Controversy beget a Lawsuit, and come into the Court, and of the two parties contending one be so poor as that he be unable to maintain the Lawsuit, he is relieved by a Sodality newly erected among the Clarks Regulars of St. Paul in Antoninus his Forum. This Sodality consists of Advocates and Proctors, who meet every Thursday, and there diligently examine the Petitions exhibited unto them containing the cases of such Suits and Controversies. When they find the cause good, they declare it so to the Petitioner, and promise that they will undertake the prosecution thereof in the Court; and they as faithfully perform their promise, defending the cause undertaken most stiffly. But if they find it not good, they persuade seriously the party to leave off his Suit which he hath begun.  
The like charitable and just defence of causes is undertaken by another and far ancienter College of Proctors of the Court, called the College of St. Eustacius, out of which the poor have their Proctors assigned to follow their causes.  
Lastly the Tribunal itself of the sacred Rota, if any one plead Poverty, doth allot him a Proctor and Advocates, and appoint his writings to be drawn up by the Actuary without any fees; lest his poverty should make him forsake his cause and so suffer in his Right.   

CHAP. VI Of visiting sick and weak persons, and the administering of Spiritual Refection to the Devout while they are dying.  
THE Congregation of the Cratorians so often mentioned, as they are still in exercise of all works of Christian Piety: so to visit the sick and assist them by all kind of services though never so mean, or, if they find them extremely weak, to prepare them to die well, is one of those employments which they chief intent, not only going to the public Hospital, but very frequently to private houses also to serve the sick in what they need, and withal to comfort them with solid and devout discourses.  
But because this Congregation, looking to many other things also, cannot solely and wholly apply itself to this, which yet amongst Christians may deservedly be accounted the chiefest, since the salvation of Souls, which all Christians so greatly value, depends on dying well: Camillus de Lellis a Priest of the Diocese of Theate instituted a Congregation, whose proper office should be to take care for the sick, and never to leave them until they either grew well, or made a happy end in our Lord.  
The Brethren of this Institute do execute this charge with great care and charity to the utmost of their power. For being called to any sick person they go not from him, unless it be at such times when they return home to refresh themselves at their meals, and then also others first come in, and stay in their place, till the former return again to dismiss them.  
There is a manifold and singular good use of these Brethren for the sick. For although the first design of them was to dispose such as were dying to a virtuous and christian departure, yet their perpetual conversation with sick persons conduceth very much to their recoveries. For by daily experience they become skilful, and know better than Physicians themselves when and what and in what quantity meats and drinks are to be given to the sick, which is none of the least necessary Praecognitums in the Art of Physic. Again they put the weak in mind, that, if God should please to take them out of this world, they dispose by their last Will and Testament of their temporal goods according to right and equity; provided always that they think not of leaving them any thing, which to ask they decline, so as nothing more.  
Lastly, they procure with all diligence that such as are dying be fortified with the most Holy Sacraments of the Church.  
These Brethren have their Convent at St. Mary Magdalen's, near the Pantheon, or the Temple built by Agrippa.  
An Institute it is extremely necessary and of great Charity, and now almost spread over all Italy. Those that are professed of this order wear on the right side of their breast a very great Cross of Cloth of a dusky colour, representing the wood of the Cross. The reason of it is, they say, a certain Vision which the Founder s Mother had, who being great seemed to herself to bring forth a Man child so marked, and falling into labour was delivered of Camillus.   

CHAP. VII. Touching the indefatigable Administration of the Sacraments, Penance, and the Eucharist.  
NOT only those that are dying are to be exhorted unto penitence, but the well also, since nothing is more uncertain than the health of the body, which not only daily, but hourly changes: so fickle and unconstant, that he whom we saw but now in great bodily strength, and thought he had an age yet more to live, is instantly carried out to be buried. This man, while he is fight, his very Arms betray him, another a Wall falls upon; one tumbling out of his Coach sends out his Soul away in post hast; another the Physician lays asleep, and the Medicine which should heal him, kills him. If we consider it right, there is no path so much beaten as that from life to death. Christians therefore should take special care to make good that in deed which they profess in belief: that is by true contrition of heart to procure the Grace of Almighty God, to whom nothing is more pleasing, nothing more acceptable than this.  
Wherefore the frequent use of this Sacrament of Penance in the City of Rome is very admirable.  
For, besides that in every parish Church the Priest by his office is bound to administer that Sacrament to all his Parishioners, All Regular and Religious people also practise it daily in their Convents, as the Augustine's, the Dominicans, Franciscans, Servites, and other Mendicants: whose Churches we see well filled with confessional Chairs. But a particular care in this kind is taken by those Priests especially, who are of the Society of Jesus, and those also of the Congregation of the Oratory. For among these you may see every festival day an infinite number of people confessing their sins to the Priests, and receiving the Holy Communion with great Devotion.  
These Sodalities or Confraternities, which we have said are introduced by the Jesuits, the Oratorians, or by other Clerks Regular: and indeed all other Confraternities of Laymen whatsoever (of which we shall speak in the Third Part) have their principal designs; That the Brethren of each respectively do at least once every month confess their sins to the Priest, and come to the Table of Christ's most holy Body.  
It is a late invention of the Jesuits to admit a free and promiscuous concourse of all sorts of people to the receiving of the Blessed Sacrament; this they call a General Communion, wherein such multitudes have met, that sometimes no less than thirty thousand persons have been found to have been refreshed by them with this Spiritual Banquet in one and the same day. An Institute it is of all others most sacred, and now spread into several places; for in divers Cities it is practised once a month, and may be beneficial in all Churches. And that so signal a work of Piety may not grow chargeable to any parishes, there is a particular Sodality in Rome consisting of Laymen, which have care of it; who bountifully supply the Wax-candles, and all other costs and charges. And for Priests to receive Confessions and give Absolutions there come together some out of all orders, and he that manageth this business chief is one Peter Garavita, a professed Father, and Priest of the Society of Jesus.  
And that you may not imagine, that only Citizens and Inhabitants of Rome are invited to so an effectual means of Devotion, as are Confession and Communion: for the benefit of Strangers also, and several Nations that live far off, there are established by the Pope's Authority three Colleges of Penitentiaries, respectively adjoining to the three Patriarchal Churches in this City, wherein are maintained Priests skilled in all languages, and enabled by special authority from the Pope to absolve the sins of such Penitents.  
1. At St. John Lateran these Penitentiaries are of the order of the Friar's Minors Observantines of St. Francis.  
2. At St. Peter's in the Vatican these Penitentiaries are Jesuits.  
3. At St. Mary's of the Manger, which they vulgarly call St. Maria major, are the Dominicans.  
And that every one may find easily where the Penitentiary sits, that is, of his Country and Language; There is written over their Seats in great Characters the name of the tongue wherein he hears Confessions. viz. The Penitentiary for the French tongue. The Penitentiary for the English tongue, and so for the rest.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the public and common Suffrages for the Dead.  
NOW we come to show the world the Piety or Charity used in Rome toward the deceased for freeing from the pains of Purgatory such as are detained therein according to the ancient Prayer made for them, contained in the holy Canon of the Mass.  
Memento Domine Famulorum tuorum qui nos Praecesserunt cum signo fidei, & dormiunt in somno pacis, ipsis Domine locum refrigerii, lucis & pavis ut indulge as deprecamur.  
This memory of such as sleep in Christ the City of Rome shows by many arguments that she preserves.  
For all those foresaid Congregations or Sodalities, when any of their Brethren decease, do upon set days recite for them the Prayers prescribed by the Church of God commonly called the Office for the Dead.  
And lest these, which are not Members of any Sodality, should be destitute of the suffrages of such Prayers: There is established in Rome, ever since the year 1582. in the parish Church of St. Blaze, in the Via Julia, a Sodality of Lay persons, called the Sodality of the Suffrage. Because the only intent of it is to be employed in the Suffrages for the Dead.  
In the foresaid Church are maintained seven Priests, that every day say Mass for those Souls of the faithful, who die in the grace of God, but are kept from his presence in Purgatory till they are purged from such spots as they contracted here. The Brethren of that Sodality, though Lay persons, do yet every Festival recite the foresaid Psalter of the Church for the dead; and, during the whole octave of the Commemoration of the dead, do every day say solemn Litanies, and make Processions from their Oratory, to the Church of St. Gregory, and to other principal Churches in the City.  
And likewise very often in the year do they repeat the prayers of forty hours; nor do they omit any thing prescribed by the Church that may any way serve towards the expiation of those Souls.  
But on the Holy day set for the Commemoration of the Dead, which is next after the Calends of November, and some days following, there is a great concourse of all sorts of people to the aforesaid Church of St. Gregory, where Prayers and Oblations are made for the Dead with so much cheerful Piety, as shows that the memory of the dead is never obliterated among the Romans.  
In this sort of Charity likewise those three Patriarchal Churches mentioned above (viz. That of St. John Lateran, St. Peter's in the Vatican, and St. Mary's at the Manger) have this laudable custom, to send the next day after the Commemoration of the Dead no small number of Priests with Torches, and other necessaries for divine Service, to every parish Church in the City, there to sing the solemn Mass for all the dead that respectively in each lie buried: because the parish Priest alone is not able of himself to discharge that piece of Charity.    

The Third PART. Containing the General Devotion towards GOD.  

CHAP. I. Of the public Devotion of the Pope, and Cardinals and People of Rome, in observing Holy Festivals and Visiting Churches.  
FIrst on all the chief Feasts of the year the Pope is publicly present together with the Cardinals at Morning and Evening Prayer; and in the greater Solemnities himself sings Mass: At which Masses there is always a Sermon in Latin, unfolding the Gospel appointed by the Church for that day.  
In Advent upon every Wednesday, and in Lent upon every Friday, there Preaches before the Pope and Cardinals some Religious Person, learned and eloquent; who with great Power, and Christian liberty reprehends the vices of the greatest Prelates, if any such are found faulty.  
On the day of our Lord's Supper, that is Maundy-Thursday, the Pope with his own hands (following the example of our Saviour) doth publicly wash the feet of twelve poor men; and after wipe them with a Towel, and then giving them a dinner, in which he himself serves at the Table, suffers them not to departed till they have received every one a Garment, and a sum of Money.  
On the Feast of Corpus Christi the Pope with great Devotion carrieth in Procession the Blessed Sacrament about a great part of the Borgo.  
On Ash-Wednesday he introduceth the Solemnity of Stations at St. Sabinas', in his own person. And in all these Solemnities the Cardinals do perpetually accompany him.  
On the Feast of the Resurrection and Nativity of our Lord, both the Pope and the Cardinals administer with their own hands the Blessed Body of our Lord to all of the Court rightly prepared.  
The Pope also and Cardinals do often visit, as their employments permit, divers Churches of the City?  
Here also we must not forget that great order of extraordinary Piety, which Pope Clement the eighth instituted and transmitted to his Successors. For that a holy Guard of men devoutly praying might never cease, no not for the least moment of time in this City of Rome: He ordained that Prayers for forty hours' continuance should be still observed in a successive order throughout all the Churches of the City.  
This takes its beginning for the first forty hours in the Pope's own Chapel, then passeth into St. Peter's, next into St. John Lateran's, and so in order into all the Collegiate Churches of the City. The order and manner of these Prayers, is thus.  
The Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, beset with great company of Torches and Tapers, is publicly exposed over the Altar; immediately one of that College knelt before that Altar, most intent to his Prayer for the space of an hour, and that hour ended, another succeeds him doing the like, and then another, him; People of all sorts and condition, during the same time, night and day coming in by turns, and making their particular private Prayers there until full forty hours are run out; these finished, the devotion is transferred to another College for the same time, and afterwards to another, until it returns as at first to the Pope's Chapel again.  
This Solemnity of the forty hours' Devotion is celebrated in the most decent sacred and silent manner as is possible.  
The Popes of Rome have also this custom, for the averting of Wars between Christian Princes, and upon other grand occasions, to institute solemn Supplications, Litanies and Processions, wherein themselves are assistant, going on foot a great part of the Town, as from their own Palace unto St. Mary Major, or some other Church of the City: The whole Body of the Clergy preceding, and singing the Litanies with an exceeding great Devotion.  
The Piety also of the people of Rome as eminently appears in observing Festival days, to the honour of God, and also his Martyrs and Saints; in which Rome far exceeds all other places. There is scarce any one in the number of all the Saints that hath not some Church, or Chapel dedicated to his name in this City. And upon the Anniversary Feast it is adorned with handsome furniture, and visited in great devotion, by an infinite multitude of people, especially by the chief and noble persons, men and women, and liberally supplied with gifts and presents.  
During the time of Lent-Fast there are always observed in some Church or other by the faithful people, certain holy Stations out of ancient Tradition; which Stations are held in great veneration, and celebrated by a great concourse of all sorts of People in a solemn manner.  
And though the Worship of God be still continued in all times, yet the Solemnity of visiting the Churches is so great in the year of Jubilee; and so numerous the devout people that perform it, as will hardly find belief. I myself (saith the Author) lately saw in the beginning of this year of Jubilee 1625. more than once above forty thousand persons upon one day devoutly going from Church to Church in very great fervour of Spirit, and in comely order: not one discomposed, not one but what appeared with that modesty which becomes a Christian.  
There are heard no profane prattlings among them, no wanton glances cast to and fro; but every one having God present in his mind, and his eyes fixed on the ground he walks upon, either recites his Rosary, or directs either mental or vocal Prayers, with great affection to Almighty God. That which I most wondered at, in this matter, was, That all that great multitude consisted of the people of Rome (for in that beginning of the year Strangers were not yet come thither:) They as it were endeavouring to give good example, and to be Leaders to all others in the paths of Piety.   

CHAP. II. Of the Patriarchal, Collegiate, and Parish Churches in Rome.  
There are three chief and Patriarchal Churches in this City; The first whereof is St. John's in Lateran, the Episcopal See of Rome; although by reason of the unwholsomness of the air thereabouts, and for greater security to the Popes, their habitation hath now for many years since been translated from thence to St. Peter's in the Vatican, where the Palace is grown as big as a little City. This Church hath for its Founder Constantine the Great; though, by its age falling into decay, it hath been often repaired by several Popes.  
The second Patriarchal Church is that of St. Peter's in the Vatican. This also originally was built by Constantine the Great; but since leveled with the ground, and another in its place built far more magnificent.  
The third Patriarchal Church is that of St. Mary's ad Presaepe, which is also called ad Nives, because, by a miracle of Snow falling there in August, it was built in that place by John Patricius by intimation of Pope Liberius.  
In all these three Churches there is daily celebrated the Holy office of the Mass, and the Canonical hours sung upon Festivals with Music and the Organs, to the praise and honour of Almighty God, the Bestower of all good things.  
There are also in this City twelve more famous Collegiate Churches of Secular Priests. In all which, or in the most part, Praises are sung to God always, night and day, and canonical hours observed, with a Choir and Music in some Festivals.  
There are in Rome also sixteen other Church's Collegiate of Secular Priests, which are either National Churches, or peculiar to some Sodalities: Of National Collegiate Churches eleven; of Sodalities five. In all which are observed likewise and sung daily the canonical hours, and at Evening Lauds to the Blessed Virgin; and on Festival days they have their Music, and each Church is furnished with a sufficient number of Priests.  
There are also in Rome eighty eight parish Churches, some of the Collegiate Churches being also Parochial.  
The Rectors of which are by their office bound to celebrate the Holy Mass for their Parishioners every day, to be ready to baptise such as need it, and to give the Holy Communion to all desiring it. The Canons of the Church having also prescribed to Lay persons that they at lest once in the year, viz. at the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, do receive the Communion in their own parish Church; and whosoever faileth herein in Rome is publicly separated from the Communion of the faithful, at the Festival of St. Bartholomew. Whereupon every year a most exact account is taken of the number of all the Inhabitants of this City.  
The Rectors of these Parishes make up an University among themselves, and often meet and have excellent discourses about such things as belong to the care of Souls: and sometimes they propose certain Theses in Theology to be publicly disputed.  
To these Rectors also belongs the care of the House of entertainment for poor Stranger-Priests mentioned before, Chapter the tenth. These Rectors create an Officer, whom they call Primicerius. This man to those who are to be entertained in that house gives a Ticket, directed to the Keeper thereof; who having read the Contents without delay receives courteously the Bringers of it.   

CHAP. III. Of the many Monasteries in Rome of Religious men and women, reciting the canonical hours, and offering up other Hymns and Lauds to God night and day: and the Priests at due times celebrating the Holy Mass.  
OF Monks in Italy there be twelve Congregations, which commonly are called Gaudentes, because their Institute permits them to enjoy a yearly Revenue. These are distinguished by some title, taken either from their Founder, or from the place where they first founded. And each sort of them have their several, and very fair, Monasteries in Rome.  
[Of these enjoying Lands and Rents the Author numbers twenty eight Convents in the City of Rome.  
Of Mendicants, whose institute permits them to enjoy no yearly Revenue, the Author numbers to be in Rome Convents in all fifty one.]  
The Institution of those Societies are various; Some taking the three Vows of 1. Poverty [i. e. none having any Propriety, but all their means in common] and 2. Obedience to the commands of a Superior [i. e. in all things lawful] and 3. of Chastity or Celibacy.  
Others living together without taking such vows, and at liberty to relinquish the Society when they please, only obliged during their stay to obey and conform to the orders thereof. Some keeping a solemn Choir for celebrating the divine Service; others, hindered by several charitable offices to their neighbour, omitting it, and performing their Devotions apart.  
The chief ends also and designs of their Institution are different. Some more dedicated to retirement, continual Mortifications as to the pleasures and contents of this life [i. e. so far as health permits it] in sleep, diet, clothes, bed, lodging, company, discourse &c. (the way to be weaned from all affection to any thing in this world) accustoming themselves to night-watching, solitude, abstinence from pleasant meat, or drink, frequent fasting, silence, clausure, not receiving visits from kindred or friends, haircloth, hard lodging, narrow cells, and spending most of their time either in the public praises of God by night and day in the Choir, or in private Prayer or contemplation in their cells. Others more designing an active life, and the abounding in various works of Charity toward their neighbour, whose purposes and employments are such as these. For studying Divinity in order to the confutation and conversion of Heretics. For hearing Confessions, Preaching, and administering the Sacraments, being assistant herein to the Secular Clergy and Parish Priests, where these wanting their help. Or, For assisting the Bishop also in his government, and being sent and employed where the necessities of his Diocese or Province seem to require it: taking only a single vow of Obedience [i. e. in licitis] to him, as the Oblates of St. Ambrose founded by St. Carolo Borromeo. Again; For directing men in making their Spiritual Exercises, and in all cases that concern their Conscience, as to good or evil. For giving Spiritual Exercises to such as desire Ordination into the Priesthood, and instructing them in the duties and ceremonies of their office. For the Education of youth in sound Doctrine and Christian Piety, and in humane Learning, and the Sciences in order thereto. For reading Divinity to those young Students that are designed for the Clergy. For expounding the Catechism or Christian Doctrine to the more ignorant, to Children, to the poor. For Missions to forlorn Villages, and places full of ignorance and destitute of Spiritual Instructors, but this with the Bishop's Licence: Or Missions also into remoter Countries for converting Infidels and Heathens to the Catholic Faith. For the Education of Foreign youths, who after being well instructed in the Catholic Religion, may return into their own Countries Heathen, or Heretical, for the same Service. For the Redemption of Captives. For the governing of Hospitals; or tending on the sick there; or also tending on those labouring under infectious diseases. For assisting, when called for, the Agonizants, such as are dying; and preparing them for a happy end. For compounding and preparing several sorts of Medicines for the sick. Lastly, For being the Superintendents and Overseers of the Charities and Benefactions of others of what kind soever they be, Colleges, Seminaries, Hospitals, Schools, etc. persons so qualified as they are [i. e. single and under a Vow of Poverty and Obedience or of enjoying in this world only necessaries, and for unity in all their business, steered by the commands of a prudent Superior] being the fittest for any such trusts.  
These among others are the Designs and Work of so many Religious Societies. And thus are they diligently labouring, some more chief in one of these employments, some in another, as their Founders and Constitutions variously direct and distinguish them: which employments are here promiscuously put together and set down, because it would be too tedious to distribute and apply them to the particular Institutions.  
And in all these Convents and Religious Houses, the Canonical hours and other Hymns and Lauds are daily sung both night and day, unless it be among those who professedly and according to their Institute are so employed in some other work, that they cannot attend both; solemn Mass also celebrated, and on Festivals added the Music of the Organ, unless it be in the reformed Convents; for they neither use Organ nor singing, but recite Lauds and Hymns to God in their Churches, according to the canonical hours, in somewhat an higher but unison tone. And by these we see that the City of Rome hath so many Sentinels and Watchmen, that whensoever our Lord shall come, he may not find her sleeping.  
Besides these of Men, there are also other Religious Houses of Women: some with, and some also without, clausure, that the more may be attracted to such an holy and retired life. These also are accurate observers of discipline, and most conspicuous for holiness of life, some eating no flesh at all, and observing a perpetual Fast; and after they have taken the habit, being never seen again by any person living out of the Monastery, no not by the nearest of their kindred; using no beds, but instead thereof sacks of Straw or bare Board's; not wearing any linen. Never quitting their Habit, though very course, day nor night, but in it watching and sleeping [yet nothing more in these mortifications is permitted to be done than what is ordinarily found to consist with health; and a relaxation thereof made in case of sickness]. Some of these Religious are of Virgins; some only of Non-Virgins. Of the first of these there are in Rome houses thirty one, and three of the other.  
One of honest Widows, who, destitute of any of their kindred with whom they may live, have here a kind of Asylum, and safe place of refuge.  
Another of such as have been lose women, and now are become Penitents, and do deliberate on a better course.  
The third is that famous Nunnery of St. Mary Magdalen, in Viâ latâ, for Harlots that have left off that miserable course of life, and now are known by the usual name of Convertitae.  
In all these Nunneries, besides the particular Prayers that are made to God for all Christian people, they sing likewise their continual hours, as they are prescribed by the Church, night and day, with no less devotion and decency than is used in the Convents of the men. The rest of their time, vacant from Prayers, is spent in band-labour, spinning, or other woman's work; the gain thereof is to be bestowed on the necessities of the house, or in Charity to the Poor abroad.   

CHAP. IU. Of the Lay-Sodalities and Confraternities in Rome: And of their Oratories.  
THere is a great number in Rome of these Lay-Sodalities, that profess great Piety to God, and Charity to their Neighbour. Confraternities both National, as of Germans, French, Spaniards, &c: And of several Trades or other Professions; As of Tailors, Shoemakers, Scriveners, Stationers, Cooks, Bakers, Goldsmiths, Fishermen, Painters, etc. which Sodalities may also be ranged to heads.  
The first, of such as use long vestments down to their feet, being a kind of Frocks, when they meet together after a Collegiate manner in all public functions.  
The other, of those who use no Garment, and intent only their charge in a private way.  
Of the former of these Sodalities are numbered above forty; and of the later above thirty. [Of all which, as also of the Churches where they are founded, and to which they relate the Author gives a particular account.]  
There are also three Sodalities of women exercising Charities, like to several of those of the men forementioned, Part 3. Chap. 3. One Sodality of which also takes care of those guilty Women, that for their offences are condemned to death.  
Now the intent of all these Confraternities and Sodalities is, in the general, one and the same, viz. By their Prayers and good works to render Almighty God propitious to the world, and with all readiness to assist every one of their Neighbours in their particular necessities, as far as they are able.  
And the Brethren of all these Sodalities are employed on every Holiday in certain works of Charity: either in giving Dowries to poor Girls, or distributing Alms to the needy: or visiting the Prisons, with a purse made up to relieve those that lie there for debt, or for other civil causes; or to visit the sick of their own Confraternity, or to do the last office to their Dead; and to pray for their Souls: And although every one of the forenamed Sodalities do interest themselves in all these good works which I have named, yet do they chief intent that particular piece of Charity, for the sake of which they were framed into a Sodality; so not hindering the offices of others.  
And very many of these Sodalities, besides their being founded in several Churches to which they repair, have also of their own certain Oratories apart like to Churches, wherein on all Festivals they sing the Canonical hours.   

CHAP. V Of the Congregations of Cardinals consulting about Ecclesiastical Affairs and matters of Religion.  
THE Pope being in a double capacity; As the common Father or Pastor of the whole Catholic Church: And as a Prince of that Dominion and Territory, which is immediately subject unto the Church: and not being able to do every thing by himself which belongs to the administration of either charge, hath many Assistants in both functions, especially the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, whose help and counsel he makes use of in divers qualities.  
In the first and principal place, by calling together, as it were, a Senate of those Fathers, which is termed a Consistory; wherein the Pope layeth open those affairs which are of most weight and importance concerning the State both of the universal Church, and also of his particular Dominion, ask these Fathers their several Opinions thereupon, and then deliberating what is fit to be done.  
And because this Consistory cannot well be assembled weekly: and there intervenes many times such businesses as require quicker dispatch; Therefore there is erected for such matters a certain particular Congregation of Conscript Fathers, who may meet together oftener, and certify the Pope of what is therein done and decreed; for those Decrees receive their Execution only from him.  
Other businesses which daily occur, and require not a complete Senate, are committed to several Congregations of Cardinals; interessed, some in the Ecclesiastical Discipline and whole State of Christian Religion; and some in the civil administration of his temporal Dominion.  
The several Congregations, set over matters of Religion, are seven.  
The First is the Congregation of the Holy Inquisition into Heretical pravity. In this Congregation are examined and sifted all persons opposing the Catholic Faith, and those that are found to offend therein punished. The Fathers of this Congregation meet every Wednesday; and on Thursday the next day give an account before the Pope of all the Acts and Deeds done among them in that Congregation.  
The Second Congregation, for matters in Religion, is that of the most illustrious Fathers, who are chosen Interpreters of the Holy Council of Trent; to whom is committed the interpretation of the Sanctions of that Council for the manner of putting them in execution. Into this Congregation are chosen those Fathers who are the most learned of all, and the Secretary to it is always reputed one of great knowledge.  
The Third Congregation for Religion is that to which is committed the care of Ecclesiastical Rites and Ceremonies; who are to correct all offences against them, and to oppose all Superstition, or whatever exterior kind of worship that hath not been admitted into the Catholic Church.  
The Fourth Congregation of Religion is set over the affairs of Bishops and Regulars. Between whom since many difficulties do arise daily; and it is not expedient that they should be determined by any solemn judicial Act: This Congregation hath power to end or compose such difficulties yet without any form of Judicature.  
The Fifth Congregation for Religion takes care of those Books, which are daily set forth in print, to revise them; and such as they find impious against Faith or good Manners, to reject, and forbidden all Catholics the reading of them: and to insert the names of them into the Catalogue of prohibited Books, whence the Congregation is styled The Congregation of the Index or Catalogue.  
The sixth Congregation for Religion is that called The Congregation of Propagating the Faith, of late erected by Gregory the fifteenth. The principal intent whereof is to reduce all Heretics and Schismatics to sound Doctrine, and a right understanding. This Congregation is held twice every month; and once before the Pope himself.  
The seventh Congregation of Religion, which hath its name from the Ecclesiastical immunities, was instituted by Pope Vrban the eighth. Before these are brought all contests about Jurisdiction, between the Officers of Kings and Princes, and Bishops, or other Ecclesiastical persons; and their chief care is to preserve the Ecclesiastical Liberties free from all temporal burdens and encroachments.    
FINIS.   

PIETAS PARISIENSIS. OR, A short Description of the Piety and Charity commonly exercised in PARIS.  
Extracted out of Mr. Carr's Relation thereof, Published An. Dom. 1666.   

THE CONTENTS.  

CHAP. I. Of the Piety of the Priests and the People in the daily service of God: and of the extraordinary care taken in their Ordination.  
CHAP. II. Of the beginning and Progress of the Congregation of the Mission.  
CHAP. III. Of the great assistance and charities which Father Vincent procured to be sent into Lorraine, and into Picardy and Champain (wasted with War) and distributed there by these Missioners.  
CHAP. IU. The Establishment of an Hospital in St. Lazar's Suburbs, for those Children found exposed in the Streets: and of the Dames and Sisters of the Charity in Paris and elsewhere.  
CHAP. V Of an Hospital of old Men and Women founded in St. Lazarus' Suburbs by Mr. Vincent.  
CHAP. VI Of the Charities procured for the poor Criminals condemned to the Galleys.  
CHAP. VII. Of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost, situated near the Townhouse, in a place called the Greeve. And of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity in St. Denise's Street.  
CHAP. VIII. Of the Hospital of les enfants rogues, or God's Children, as a King of France would have them called; in the Street Portfein near the Temple: And of the Hospital called the Misericorde, or Work of Mercy.  
CHAP. IX. Of the Hospital in St. German's Suburbs called la petit Maison. Of the Hospital of the three hundred blind men called Quinze-vingt. And of the Hospital called the Providence.  
CHAP. X. Of the Hospital named lafoy charity in St. German's Suburbs.  
CHAP. XI. Of the Hospital General.  
CHAP. XII. Of the Hospital called l' Hostel Dieu: Or God's House.  
CHAP. XIII. Of the Hospital called our Ladies of the Incurables.  
CHAP. XIV. Of divers other Charities which cannot so well be particularised.    

CHAP. I. Of the Piety of the Priests and People in the daily Service of God: and of the extraordinary care taken in their Ordination.  
THE Pastors of Paris are all, generally, known to be men of exemplary lives, and sound learning, being, the most of them, Bachelors, Licentiates, or Doctors of the famous faculty of Sorbonne. These calling to mind what St. Paul hath taught, and looking upon it with a venerable astonishment, that every high Priest taken from among men is appointed for men, in those things which appertain to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins, as well for the people as also for himself, use all care and industry to apply the merits and medicinal grace purchased by our Lord's painful passion to the poor sinful Souls of their flocks, by deriving into them those fountains of grace which are conferred by their ministry in the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, the blessed Eucharist, etc. Therefore also besides themselves (not sufficient for the necessities of those great multitude of people under their charge,) a great number of other Priests, which these good Pastors take into their Societies and Communities (some forty or fifty, some an hundred, some more, some fewer, according to the vast numbers of their parishioners) approach daily to the sacred Altars from morning till noon with humble reverence and veneration to answer their people's expectations and devotions, who concur with them in a sweet harmony to offer up their Vows and Prayers. So this true, clean, and unbloody Sacrifice (which the Prophet Malachi foretold) being offered to God in every place, and seconded by the sacrifice of the lips and hearts of the pious people, serves for the happy employment of the whole forenoon. The afternoon wants not its parts neither, which is daily performed in the evensong and compline, so that the Church doors are rarely shut up in Paris all the week long. Besides these general pious practices of the people, which they exercise every day in the week all Paris over, there is scarce one day in the year in which there is not some particular solemnity, at one Church or Monastery or another, (to which there is great confluence of people, by reason of some eminent Preacher:) or the exposing of the Blessed Sacrament, and pardons to be gained; as it appears by a certain Almanac, made of set purpose to direct pious people to the said Solemnities.  
And as there is no day passes without public Service done to God: so there is no hour of the day or night in which God's praises are not sung in Paris. The Oratorians begin the divine office at Seven a clock in the evening. At St. Geneviefues at Eight. The Penitents at Nine. The Carmelites at Ten. The Carthusians at Eleven. St. Victors, our Ladies, and others till Two. From Two till Four at the Benedictines, Bernardins, and divers others. From Four, till Five, Six and Seven; this done at all Collegial and Parish Churches. So that what the royal Prophet foretold, is perfectly accomplished: From the rising of the Sun to the setting of the same, God's holy name is praise worthy, praised and magnified.  
Thus is Piety practised all the working days of the week, all the year long. To which on Holidays is added a Sermon, and upon Sundays Holy Bread, Holy Water, the Procession and Prone (that is a familiar explication upon the Gospel of the day) for the forenoon, together with a formal Sermon and Catechism for the afternoon: This is the ordinary practice all Paris over. But the Pastor's zeal for the instruction and inflammation of the people's hearts stays not here, but further by himself, or his order, there are most eloquent Sermons made all the days of Advent and Lent (save Saturdays) by the same Preachers, who are followed with a wonderful concourse of Auditors, and a no less admirable quiet attention of so great a multitude. Can then our Adversaries, without affected malice, pretend that the Papists are nuzzled up in ignorance? which with the proud Manicheans they impudently object against them. And as the dignity of Priests and height of pastoral functions is most venerable and dreadful; so is their care as great, as far as humanly can be devised, to make a hopeful provision of young Priests to assist them in their life time, and so to succeed in their places after their deaths. And to this effect a Secular Priest, and a great servant of God (whose admirable works of Charity have made him famous all the world over, as here below you shall see.) F. Vincent de Paul suggested an effectual means to the most illustrious and most reverend Archbishop of Paris, then being (to wit, above thirty years ago;) who highly approved and confirmed it, and ordered it to be observed by all who should pretend for holy orders at his hands: and it is still continued with like approbation, by his command who doth now illustrate the said See. viz. That all who should take holy orders, should be obliged to make a spiritual retreat at St. Lazares (where this Father Vincent governed) for the space of ten days; that none should rashly intrude themselves into so dreadful a Ministry. And whereas this is a thing as worthy the approbation as imitation of all Bishops, it may be of good use and edification to put down here the exercises in that holy retreat in particular.  
Ten days then before the Collation of holy orders, all the Ordinandi repair to St. Lazars, sometimes fifty or sixty, sometimes to the number of one hundred, where they find bed and board, and all things ready by God's providence without their care or cost; and they are all most humanely and charitably received not so much into the house, as into the bosom, of the pious Inhabitants.  
Two different Entertainments are made to them every day, the one in the morning, upon the chief heads of moral Divinity: the other towards the evening, of the virtues, and qualities proper to their intended function.  
There are Ten made in all of either kind.  
The Forenoons Entertainment.  
The first day, They speak of the censures of the Church in general.  
The second, Of the said censures in particular; as of excommunication, suspension, interdicts, and irregularity.  
The third, Of the Sacrament of Penance; as of its institution, form, effects, and of the conditions necessary in the Confessor.  
The fourth, Dispositions to the Sacrament of Penance; to wit, contrition, confession and satisfaction, with indulgences.  
The fifth, Of divine and humane laws; and of sin in general, with the division thereof, the circumstances, the kinds, causes, effects, degrees and remedies.  
The sixth, Of the three first commandments which contain man's duty to God; and of the three Theological virtues, with the virtue of Religion, and its Acts.  
The seventh, Is an explication of the other seven commandments, which concern our neighbour.  
The eighth, Of the Sacraments in general, and of confirmation, and the Eucharist in quality of a Sacrament.  
The ninth, Of the Eucharist as it is a Sacrifice, and of extreme Unction and Marriage.  
The tenth is the explication of the Creed, with what is necessary to be known by every Priest, and what they may teach the people thereupon with profit.  
The Afternoons Entertainment.  
The first day is of mental Prayer. First the motives to it for Clergymen. Secondly wherein it consists. Thirdly the method and means to perform it. And in this they are exercised every day for some time.  
The second day the Speech is of ones Vocation, and of the state of a Churchman. That this Vocation should be had before one presents himself to Orders; wherein it consists, and which are the marks of it, with the means to know it, and to correspond with it.  
The third speaks of the spirit of a Clergyman: and shows how he is to enter into this spirit: wherein it consists: the marks of it, the means to acquire it, and to grow perfect in it.  
The fourth treats of orders in general: of their institution, necessity, matter, form, effects, and differences, with the dispositions necessary to receive them.  
The fifth, Of the first Tonsure, with an explication of the doctrine of that Ceremony, The obligations contracted by it, The dispositions and qualities required.  
The sixth, A discourse of the lesser orders in particular: their definition, the matter, form and functions, with the virtues required to comply with them worthily.  
The seventh, Of the office of Subdeacon, and the virtues proper to this order, and particularly of Chastity.  
The eighth, Of the office of Deacon, and the virtues proper to it, particularly of Charity to our neighbour.  
The ninth, Of Priesthood, and of the knowledge necessary for Priests, to acquit themselves of their duty.  
In the tenth is a discourse of the life of a Clergyman, wherein it is made appear, that they who have received holy orders ought to lead a much more holy life than that of Laymen, with many advices to help towards such a life. All these things they repeat in their conferences made afterwards, the better to commit them to memory.  
They make every day about half an hour of mental Prayer, and conferences upon it afterwards, to instruct such as are less exercised therein, how to use considerations, to move affections, and to make resolutions. They are daily exercised in the functions of the orders which they are to take, and in the Ceremonies of the holy Mass. They are made to recite the office altogether, and to observe the stops etc.  
They are disposed to make their general confessions, at least from their last general one; and the next day they communicate high Mass.  
They have seven hours to repose in by night, and two hours of holy conversation every day, this is after dinner and supper. In which time they read the holy Scriptures, and Molina of the dignity and sanctity of Priesthood. Upon Sunday, after they have taken orders, they assist at high Mass, and communicate in thanksgiving for their holy ordination, and so return to their own homes.  
Thus they are most substantially and piously prepared; which good dispositions are visibly observed to be followed with such blessed effects, that great benedictions of admirable reformations in the whole Clergy of France are seen every where.   

CHAP. II. Of the beginning and Progress of the Congregation of the Mission.  
IN the year of our Lord 1624., March the first began the happy establishment of the company of the Congregation of the Priests of the Missions, in the College of Bons-enfans, conferred upon Mr. Vincent Paul by the most illustrious John Francis de Goudy, Archbishop of Paris, to that purpose. viz. His Brother the General of the Galeeres, and his most virtuous Lady being well acquainted what great things Mr. Vincent had performed in divers of their own Lordships in that kind for the good of their poor vassals and God's glory, had long conceived a pious desire to concur jointly to be Founders of the said Mission, which they imparted to their brother the Archbishop, to make use of his power over Mr. Vincent's Spirit (whom they knew to be as slow in undertaking, as diligent and faithful in performing what he once undertook) to induce him to accept the charge; which was done accordingly, and he wholly acquiesced to the Archbishops pleasure. Hereupon were four thousand Pistols put down by the most noble and pious Founders in Mr. Vincent's hands in ready money, upon the following conditions.  
First, That the end and whole employment of these Missionaries should be to send to, and to procure the corporal and spiritual good of, the poor people of the villages; and that too so wholly, that they were not to meddle to preach, or administer Sacraments in any considerable towns, save in case of extreme necessities, but to go from village to village to instruct and assist those poor abandoned Souls. Secondly, That they were to renounce all Church benefices, dignities and offices, to apply themselves entirely and purely (with the leave of the Ordinaries) to the saving of those poor people, by Sermons, Catechisms, general Confessions, etc. And that too at their own costs and charges, without admitting of any retribution or reward in what kind soever. Thirdly, That the Election of proper Subjects should be at Mr. Vincent's pleasure, who should govern them all his life long. And that which is worthy of special observation, is; That these blessed Founders so purely and dis-interestly aimed at God's glory, and the good of the poor alone; that they made no reserves of any fixed thing relating to themselves in particular, either in point of honour or profit. With this virtuous foundation Mr. Vincent began to comply, having one only companion in the beginning, which soon after increased to the number of ten or twelve, and e'er this (as we may guests with probability) amounts even to thousands: And from that rich source whole colonies did spread themselves not only all France over, but even extended themselves to foreign lands. The first establishment, flowing from this fountain, was begun at Toul in the year 1635. by the consent and approbation of the Bishop of the place. The second at Richlieu 1638. founded by the most eminent Cardinal of the place, with obligation to preach etc. according to their pious Institute, to the poor of the Diocese of Poitiers, as also to those of Lucon, of which he had formerly been Bishop. The third was founded by the said Cardinal at Lucon itself in the year 1645. with full power granted by the Bishop thereof to preach and teach etc. all over his Diocese. The fourth at Troy, in the year 1638. by the charitable assistance of the Bishop of the place. The fifth in the Diocese of Geneva, in the year 1640. where the Commander of Sillory founded them a Seminary, where they still labour with much fruit; still with the approbation of the Bishop of the Diocese, which I shall not hereafter need to mention. The sixth in the year 1641. at Rome, by the Duchess of Ayguillon, who also founded seven of the said Missionaries in her Duchy of Ayguillon. The eighth was founded again by the said Duchess at Marcelles. The ninth in the Diocese of Caors, in the year 1643. by the Saintly Bishop thereof. The tenth in the Diocese of Rheims, by the Archbishop Vallancy, 1644. The eleventh at Montmir in Brye, by the Duke of Reti, in the year 1644. The twelfth at Zaintes, by the Bishop and Clergy the same year. The thirteenth at Mons, by the Bishop 1645. The fourteenth in the Diocese of St. Mala, at St. Mien, in the year 1645. The fifteenth at Genua in Italy, at the instance of Cardinal Durasto Archbishop of the same place, in the year 1645. The sixteenth at Again, by the Bishop of the place, 1650. The seventeenth at Crecy in the Diocese of Meaux, in the year 1641. The eighteenth was founded at Vasovia in Polognia, by the liberality of that most pious Queen in the year 1651. The nineteenth in the Diocese of Montauban, by the Bishop of the place, in the year 1652. The twentieth at Tregaier in Britain, by the Bishop and Count of the place, in the year 1654. The one and twentieth at Adge in Languedoc, by the Bishop and Count of the place, in the year 1654. The two and twentieth at Turin in Piedmont, at the instance of Mr. le Marquis of Pianezz, who founded them 1654. The three and twentieth at Amiens, by the Bishop of the place, with the perpetual direction of his Seminary. The four and twentieth at Noyon, by the Bishop of the place, with the direction of his Seminary. This was resolved upon in Mr. Vincent's life time, but was only accomplished after his death. He sent also Missionaries into afric, to Tunis and Algiers, to aid, instruct and comfort the poor Christian slaves, who were there, to the number of twenty or thirty thousand. To Madagascar, also beyond the line, a voyage of six months' sail, to endeavour the conversion of those poor Infidels. Finally to the Hebrides in the furthest parts of Scotland, and into Ireland.   

CHAP. III. Of the great assistance and Charities which Father Vincent procured to be sent into Lorraine: And into Picardy and Champine (wasted with war) and distributed there by these Missioners.  
BY these Missioners the pious Father Vincent, having the noblest hearts of Paris adherent to his pious Counsels, and their purses lying open to his charitable suggestions; in the extreme wants and calamities of Lorain happening in those days, procured to be sent thither at divers times, and caused to be distributed amongst the most needy, to the sum of sixteen hundred thousand Franks (that is, sixteen hundred thousand Pistols) to which the said Missionaries added no less large proportion of their solicitudes and pains, who spent their whole time for many years together in visiting the poor and the sick, and in furnishing many thousands of them with all things necessary for body and Soul. Concerning this: God's providence, who will have honour to follow those that flee it, and exalt him who humbles himself, failed not to draw divers authentical testimonies from the grateful hearts of the obliged persons, addressed to this Father; which may not be suffered to lie in obscurity.  
The Letter of the Vicar of Tou.  
I John Midot, Dr. of Divinity, Archdeacon, Canon and Vicar-general of Tou, the See being vacant, do certify and attest, that the Priests of the Congregation of the Mission, who reside in this town, continued any time these two years to comfort, to cloth, to feed, and give Physic to the poor with much edification and charity. First of all they have taken into their own house a matter of sixty sick persons, and have lodged about twenty more in the Suburbs. Secondly, They give Alms to a number of other bashful poor, reduced to extreme necessity, who betake themselves hither for refuge. Thirdly, They receive a many poor naked and lame Soldiers, which return from the King's Army, into their own house and care. In which charitable actions, and other their pious comportments, all good people are wonderfully edified. In witness whereof I have signed and sealed these presents.  
Toul, Dec. 1639.  
The Copy of another Letter.  
SIR,  
Since a great many years, that this poor town hath been afflicted with Plague, War, and Famine, which hath reduced it to this excess of misery wherein now it is, in lieu of consolations, we have only met with rigorous deal from our Creditors, cruelty from the Soldiers, who forceably rob us of the small quantity of bread which we had; So that it seemed, that the heavens had nothing but rigours for us: when behold one of your children in Jesus Christ, came loaden with Alms, which hugely tempered the excess of our misery; and raised our hopes in God's mercy. Sir, Since our offences have provoked his wrath, we humbly kiss the hand which doth punish them; as also we receive the effects of his divine mercy, with the resentments of an extraordinary acknowledgement. We bless the instruments of his infinite Clemency, as well these who relieve us with these seasonable Charities, as those who procure them, and distribute them amongst us; and you in particular, Dear Sir, whom we look upon, after God, as the principal Author of so singular a blessing. To tell you how well it is applied to this poor place, where the chief persons are reduced to nothing, the Missionaries you have sent will relate it with less interest than ourselves. They have been eye-witnesses of desolation, and you will find in the sight of God, the eternal obligations we own you, for having succoured us in this our miserable condition.  
From the Officers and Council of Luneville, 1642.  
A Copy of another Letter.  
SIR,  
YOU have so singularly obliged us in the assistance you have afforded to our poor beggars, to our bashful indigent, and to our sick persons; and more particularly to our religious houses, that we should prove ungrateful if we deferred any longer to testify our sensible acknowledgements; we being able to assure you that the charity which you have sent hither, could never be better distributed and employed than upon our poor people, who are very many in number, and especially upon the religious women, who are destitute of all humane assistance; some of them not enjoying any part of their small revenues since the wars, and others not receiving any thing from the richer sort of the town, who formerly gave them Alms, they being now deprived of their own means. Whence we find ourselves humbly obliged to beseech you, Dear Sir, as by these presents we do, to continue the same charitable assistances, as well to the poor, as to the Monasteries of this place, which hitherto you have done. It is a subject of a great merit for those that do these good works, and for you who have the conduct thereof, which you perform with so much prudence and dexterity to the gaining a great Crown in heaven.  
From the Magistrates of Mets, 1664.  
This Information also concerning the calamitous State of Lorraine, was sent to Mr. Vincent by one of his Missionaries.  
BEing arrived at St. Michael, I find so great a number of poor people, that I am not able to give to all; there are above three hundred in very great necessity, and three hundred more reduced to extremity. Sir, I tell you no more than the bare truth, there are above a hundred of them who appear only Skelletons covered with skin, and are so ghastly that unless God did strengthen me I should even dread to look upon them; their skins are like tawny Marble, and are so dried up, that their teeth seem to be dry and discovered etc. At our last distribution of bread, there were one thousand fifty two poor people, besides the sick who are in great numbers, which we assist with food and convenient medicines etc. O Sir, what a number of Souls go to heaven through poverty! Since I came first into Lorraine, I have assisted above a thousand poor people at their death, who shown, all of them, that they were perfectly well disposed to die etc.  
The same Father also excited by the fresh Informations of his pious Missioners, who were labouring every where in the middle of desolations, concerning the great calamity and misery of the nearer Neighbours of Picardy and Campaine, devoured and wasted with war and famine, and consequently with sickness, applied himself again for their relief to the compassionate bowels of the good Ladies of the Charity; which pious Dames he assembled once or twice a week to such purposes, and communicated to them his Intelligence.  
In which one writes thus to him.  
There are abundance who are afflicted with Fluxes and Fevers, others covered with Scabs, and purple spots, tumours and imposthumes, many swelled, some in their heads, some in their belly, and some all their body over. These infirmities were caused by eating wild roots, and bread of bran: Our ears are filled with pitiful lamentations and outcries for bread: and howsoever sick they are, they drag themselves through rain and mire two or three leagues off for a few pottage. Many die without confession, and the other Sacraments, and even burial itself; the poor dead body being left in their homely cottages till they are eaten up with wild beasts.  
Another writes thus.  
We are newly returned from visiting thirty five Villages in the Deanery of Guise, where we found near upon five hundred people so excessively miserable, that they seize upon dead dogs and horses, which are the Wolves leave. And in the very town of Guise there are above five hundred sick persons, who are lodged in Caves and Dens. Some of them have eaten no bread in six or seven weeks, not so much as that which they make of barley bran, which is the diet of those which far best: but their meat is lizards, frogs, and wild-herbs, etc. By these Ladies accordingly a provision of all things was presently made at Paris, necessary for body and Soul; and that too in such abundance, such a number of suits of apparel, shirts, smocks, shoes, stockings, coverlets, sheets, and other linen necessary for the sick: as also drugs for physic, confectures, &c together with Chalices, and other ornaments for the Church etc. and with Corn to sow the neglected fields which lay fallow, and what was sent in dry money: that it amounted in all to five hundred thousand Franks, making half a french Million; to the eternal praise of the Charity of Paris be it remembered for ever.   

CHAP. IU. The Establishment of an Hospital in St. Lazar's Suburbs, for those Children found exposed in the Streets. And of the Dames and Sisters of the Charity in Paris, and elsewhere.  
AS Mr. Vincent, and the pious Parisian Ladies Charities had wrought, and were still working, wonders among the poor distressed people abroad: so his and their pious care did not the while overlook Paris, nor was wanting at home. Here he considered the lamentable condition of so many poor abandoned newborn Infants, whose bodies and souls are exposed to utter perdition, either by the unnatural cruelty of naughty women, or by the extreme poverty of necessitous parents, who covertly leave them in the streets to all adventures; of which kind of deserted Innocents' it is observed, in this vast world of Paris, that scarce a year passes without three or four hundred in the town and suburbs; and such a growing nursery, every one will judge, cannot be maintained with a little. He therefore by their charity procured an Hospital to be built in St. Lazar's suburbs, for the future reception of such children as were found so exposed; the annual maintenance whereof, amounts to no less than four thousand pistols, which is still growing up to more and more, for Charitas numquam excidit. And these poor souls are till this day nourished and brought up under the care and assistance of ten or twelve good Sisters of the Charity, with the help of a number of Nurses, who live in the said Hospital, together with a many more in the Country, who receive a monthly pay. When they are once weaned they are delivered back to the Sisters of the Charity; who in teaching them to speak, teach them also to pray, to know God, to love and serve him. As they grow up in years they are taught some little works to keep them out of idleness, till providence sort them with some fit occasion for their future being.  
The same Father also by his powerful exhortations, and for the advancing them in the fear, of God, and of their poor neighbours, as also for the more plentiful relief of the necessitous, prevailed with the Princesses and Duchess', and other Ladies of the prime Nobility of Paris, to the number of two hundred and above, to divest themselves of the rich and sumptuous robes suitable to their illustrious conditions, and to present themselves in the Hospitals in the modest attire of simple gentlewomen, with aprons before them, to serve and comfort the most despicable creatures alive; as common Beggars, Porters, and wounded Soldiers, most nasty and ghastly to behold. And this they make their business, and go seriously about it, as if it were a thing belonging to them of duty, without discovering any niceness of or disdainfulness thereat. Nor do they go thither for fashion sake, and by way of divertisement: but as their hearts are full of compassion upon the beholding of such sad objects, so are their mouths full of consolation and instruction, and their hands no less replenished with charitable presents agreeable to the infirmities of those, otherwise contemptible, creatures (if they did not eye our Saviour Christ in them); which relief the poverty of the Hospitals could not ordinarily afford to so vast numbers. Whereas those good Ladies made plentiful provision thereof in every kind, in a Chamber near adjoining which they hired to that purpose. And every day by turns four of them performed that pious ministry of going from bed to bed to make the distribution, with an humble meekness well suited to so Christian a work. By these familiar and pleasing corporal assistances the good Ladies gained the hearts of those poor people, and in consequence their Souls: for it was observed, that in the space of one year, they induced seven hundred and sixty of those infirm and maimed persons to abjure their Heresy, and embrace the Catholic Faith. To say nothing of multitudes of others, who were moved by their virtuous examples and wholesome advice to make general confessions, and to resolve of a more Christian life than formerly they had led. Nor did this superlative example of christianity keep within the compass of what these noble Ladies performed in their own persons: but as the nature of good is to be communicative, it spread itself not only all over Paris, but even extended to many remote Villages and Dioceses, to the extreme solace and relief of poor honest families, who were as little accustomed to beg their bread, as otherwise little able to gain it by their daily labours.  

The Institution of the Charity in the most of, or even all, the Parishes of Paris.  
The blessed example of these good Ladies served as the primum mobile under God to incite other Ladies of an inferior rank, together with many honest and virtuous Burgesses of the best sort, to emulate them in so blessed a practice; and it had so powerful an influence upon them, that the most, or even all, the parishes of Paris have meetings at least every month (being all associated together in a holy confraternity) to discover and confer upon the necessities of their respective parishes at the Curate's house, and accordingly, by collections among themselves, to provide relief for them. The distribution of their charitable collections was at first performed by the good Ladies own hands, who took the pains to go and visit the poor and the sick of the parish, and take a more particular assurance of each one's necessity; but in a small time they were taught by experience, that some other course was to be taken to carry on so pious a work effectually: for they found that partly the care of their family could scarce dispense with their absence, partly their husbands had no great satisfaction in their conversation with such infirm and nasty poor people; but especially they saw that their small strength and skill in that kind came not home to the necessities of the sick: wherefore they advised of some better way. And Mr. Vincent, who never was at a loss to invent means to promote charity, found out, and settled a constant and effectual way to continue the work, and it was this. M. Le Grass, sometime wife to Mr. Le Grass, Secretary to Queen Margaret, now Widow, whose maiden name was Marilac, of the family of the most virtuous and famous Chancellor of that name, who had the most eloquent and pious Camus Bishop of Bellay for her spiritual Director, till he delivered her up into Mr. Vincent's hands, where she was like to lose nothing in point of her propension to serve the poor: this virtuous Lady, I say, was the person pitched upon by her present Director, as the prime instrument for the designed settlement. And certainly divine providence was as much in this choice, as her undertake were blessed with admirable success. For she being wholly addicted to the service of the sick, he trained her up in that way, to fit her for some greater work for the future, and made her make her first Essays in the Villages of divers Dioceses, where there was otherwise no Hospitals to secure the poor and sick, as in that of Beavais, Sanlys, Soisson, Meaux, Chaalons and Charters. In all which with incredible pains, being only accompanied with some other gentlewomen and a Maid, she settled Confraternities, which last till this day. But while he and she had no other design but this lowly way in the Villages, God had a greater design upon them to bring it into the great town of Paris, where she is made the mother of a company of course Country Maids, which he devised for certain aids to the virtuous Dame of Paris, to the effect intimated as above.  
They are called Maids, or Sisters of the Charity, and were instituted by Mr. Vincent to serve the poor, especially those that are sick, as he had already instituted Missions of men to preach to the poor. Mrs. Le Gras was the woman who was put to instruct them in virtue, and to breed them up, and fashion them to the end for which they are gathered together, viz. to assist the Dames of Paris to serve the sick in their parishes, in the Hospitals, or where else they may be called. As they are brought up by that good mother in humility, patience, and painful labours, agreeable to their end, so they are suited to it in their attire; which is, a plain course grey coat, without welt or guard, made close to their body, with a close plain kerchief to their head; and their employment is to carry the Pottage-pot between two of them, upon a staff all up and down the parish (which they keep as bright as the Hollander doth his Andirons); and to distribute broth and meat, with other necessaries, to the needy according to the exigency of their several wants. This Pot is prepared by turns in the Burgesses house of the Confraternity, who are to afford fire and seasoning, the rest being supplied by the mutual collections of the parish. Mr. Vincent's prudence and piety regulated also all those proceed by constitutions which he gave to the congregation or company of the said Maids of the Charity, servants of the poor: which by his credit he got to be approved by the Archbishop of Paris in the year 1642. and to be authorized and confirmed by the King's Letter Patents verified in the Parliament.    

CHAP. V Of an Hospital of old Men and Women, founded in St. Lazar's Suburbs by Mr. Vincent.  
A Good Burgess of Paris came one day on his own accord to Mr. Vincent's Chamber, who, as it appears, had learned the true way of trading for the Kingdom of heaven (for he was not willing that his left hand should know what his right hand did, least vanity should rob him of some part of his purchase): his money he was most willing to give, or even to steal it upon him, but he was not willing to lend his name to own the gift, but it was freely given, and upon no other condition or obligation than this, That his should never (be forgotten would vanity have indented) be known; and indeed it never was known to this day. And there was it seems no less care used by the Trustee to conceal the sum given, than the name of the pious giver, since it is shut up in these indefinite terms, a considerable sum. Yet the employment which the good Steward made of it, will he, nill he, discovers it to have been so considerable, that it must needs have passed ten thousand Pistols. With this sum he purchased two houses, a competent garden, and furnished it with all necessaries, together with an answerable livelihood for forty persons: viz. Twenty men, and as many women, which were still to be poor old decayed Tradesmen etc. All these he disposed of in two different houses, the women being separated from the men; which yet he contrived so ingeniously, that one Mass said in a little Chapel, and one Reader at the Table, served for them both. He deputed one of his Missioners to say their Mass, to instruct them, and to administer the Sacraments; and some of the Sisters of the Charity to assist and serve them. This house he called the Hospital of the name of Jesus: and passed a Declaration of this foundation before Notaries, without the name of the Founder at all, that a new name may be given him in heaven. And it was approved by my Lord Archbishop of Paris, and ratified by the King's Letters Patents.   

CHAP. VI Of the Charities procured for the poor Criminals condemned to the Galleys.  
WHile Father Vincent was settling a livelihood for these poor Artificers, who through their age were not able to gain their living, his compassion was called upon to assist others who are scarce worthy to live. These were the Galleyslaves, whose double misery he eyed with much pity. Comfort of conscience he supposed they could have little, being burdened with crimes: nor comfort of body, being loaden with chains, and excess of want and misery. And yet he knew too, that to comfort the comfortless, be the person what he will, never ceased to be a work of mercy. He doubted not but that their crimes well deserved what they suffered, and that a just verdict had condemned them to no more than a condign punishment in sending them to the Galleys. Yet he conceived withal, that it was not the judges sense that they should perish at Paris who were sentenced to suffer at Marseilles; and that judgement without mercy is to those that show not mercy. He takes then their sad and comfortless condition seriously to heart. He instantly applies his most humble submission and suits to King Lewis the thirteenth, and the Magistrates, in their behalf: and obtains the old tower of St. Bernard's Gate for their habitation, till they amount to a competent number, to be sent away according to custom. Thus by his care are they provided of lodgings. But where must food be found for body and soul? Food for their bodies for a while issues out of his own and Mrs. Le Gras' small stock. And for their Souls the pious Priests of St. Nicholas de Chardennet, and his own Missioners plentifully furnish.  
But soon after the divine providence abundantly provides: For a person of Paris of a vast fortune, left by his last Will and Testament six thousand pounds a year forever, for the relief of those miserable creatures, whose deserts could lay claim to nothing.  
This plentiful fund is left under the administration of the Procurator general of the Parliament for perpetuity. And whereas the said place of their abode was in the parish of St. Nicholas de Chardennet, the Curate thereof was liable to administer the Sacraments unto them, and to bury their dead corpse: which being a great burden for that poor little parish, Mr. Vincent prevailed with the Administrators to allow the said Priests thirty Pistols per annum out of the Fund, upon condition that they should be obliged to say their Mass, to exhort, catechise them, and perform other spiritual functions requisite; which they discharge most worthily, and with very great care and charity.  
Thus were the poor Gallerians well provided-for during their stay at Paris. And that they might likewise be so after their departure thence to Marseilles, He (who also himself had formerly been taken upon the Mediterranean Sea, and carried Slave into Barbary) forthwith applies himself to the most eminent Cardinal of Richlieu, who was then General of the Galleys; and to Madam La Duchess of Ayguillon, his virtuous Niece: represents to them the miserable State of the Galleyslaves, and the extreme want of an Hospital for them, where they might be assisted in the time of their sickness. Their piety procured that such an Hospial was built. Here again was a house, but other helps were as yet wanting. Whereupon Mr. Vincent had recourse to the bounty of that most constantly religious Queen Regent (Mother to King Lewis the fourteenth, who now happily reigns) whose memory is in eternal benediction, to deal with him to become the Founder of this Hospital: which was done accordingly by his Letters Patents in the year 1645. and was endowed by his Majesty with twelve hundred Pistols.  
The blessed effects of this royal Charity you may partly know by a Letter written to Mr. Vincent by a most charitable Gentleman of Provence, called Mr. de la Coste, who had much contributed to that work: His Letter was as follows.  
These are to give you an account of the Progress of the Hospital, which was especially established by your procurement. You have understood by my last, how, after much resistance, by the help of our Lord and Master they gave us up those that were sick in the Galleys. Certes, I am not able to express the joy which those poor Slaves received, when they saw themselves transported from that Hell to the said Hospital, which they term a Paradise; where at their very Entry they seem cured of half their sickness, when they are freed from their vermin, whereof they are full; their feet are first washed, and then they are laid in a bed, a little softer than the board whereon they were wont to lie. And they are quite overjoyed to find themselves lodged, served, and treated with a little more charity than they were in the Galley; whether we have sent back a number of Convalescents, who had been dead if they had remained there. Truly Sir. We may well say, that God hath blessed this work; which appears not only in the conversion of bad Christians, but even of the very Turks, who cry out for holy Baptism.   

CHAP. VII. Of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost, situated near the Town-House, in a place called the Greeve. And of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity, in St. Denise's Street.  
A Company of Burgesses of good note were moved to compassion by the miserable spectacle of poor Children, who through their parent's death, or extreme want, were reduced to such poverty that they were ready to perish with hunger and cold.  
They repaired to the Bishop of the place, who erected a many of them into a Confraternity, to have a joint care to relieve those poor Children; which pious office till this day they charitably comply with, as their Predecessors had done before them; and that so throughly too, that they gave these poor Children not only their cares and pains while they were strong and well able, but some even themselves too when grown old, with all their substance; and so happily ended their days among them: and thereby it prospered and grew up to what it now is.  
The Establishment as it was begun for the necessity of the poor Children of Paris, so it is limited to them alone; in such sort, that none can be admitted there but Children born in Paris, or the Suburbs, in lawful marriage, whose fathers and mothers are dead; Bastards, and others found in the streets, being excluded as well by the rules of the house, as by the King's Letters Patents. These poor Children, qualified as above, are even taken from the breast into this Hospital, where they are provided of Nurses at the cost thereof, and are carefully visited and treated. As they grow up they are put to some Trade, as well to Masters who reside in the said Hospital, as to others abroad. Such of the Boys, as they find of good wits and otherwise capable, are bred up in learning, and become Clergymen: or else, as well they, as the Girls, are provided for in Religion at the charges of the Hospital, if they have a will and inclination to that holy course of life. The rest are disposed of to serve some persons of quality. The boys which have learned any trade are helped to pass Masters. And the Girls are assisted with some certain sum of money to marry them. And being come to lawful age, what ever they may have brought with them is restored to all of them in general without limitation. They are clothed in decent apparel of a Violet colour. There are at this day some two hundred in the house. And besides those as many as make up in all about two hundred and thirty or two hundred and forty at nurse. To all these the common Charity of Paris give subsistence.  
Such provision made for the poor fatherless children of Paris: yet there were abundance of others in, and about the town, who had both father and mother, and remained yet in a more lamentable condition than those that are deprived of them. These might perish indeed through want of succour, yet being in their baptismal innocency they would be eternally happy. Whereas these others by their necessitous and wicked parents are trained up in idleness, ignorance and malice, their parents own trade (made their miserable child's portion); and by that bad art, to which they needed no Master, they become able cheats, cutpurses and thiefs; and so by that accursed trading often gain a halter and hell to boot. The Provost of the Merchants and Magistrates were excited, by this probable occasion of future mischief to the City, to study the prevention of it; and to turn a threatening mischief, to a present mercy: Which was done as follows.  
Two noble Germans, as it seems to be intimated, had long ago purchased two Acres of land near St. Denise's Gate, out of a pious design to lodge poor Pilgrims, who coming weary might sooner meet, with a lodging, than, in a manner with the town itself. To this purpose they raised from the ground a noble fair Hall (together with some other buildings) of twenty one fathom and half long, six in breadth, and four in height within. This in tract of time being put to idle, impertinent and even profane uses, the Parliament and Magistrates, out of their wisdom and charity, rescued it out of profaneness, and applied it to the work of mercy, for which it now serves. viz. They took all the Boys which passed seven years of age out of their poor and ungodly parents' hands, and placed them in this Hospital; the care whereof was committed to five honest and able Burgesses, who provided them of men and maids to serve them. As all beginnings are weak, so was this in particular. Their small beginning stock would hardly reach to two meals a day, till the Charity of some Burgesses added to their small pittance. They are clad in blue Coats and Caps, and the place affords them food and instruction till they grow up to years of discretion: and then they are bound Apprentices to certain Journeymen of divers trades; who to this purpose are admitted to live in certain houses, all within the compass of the Hospital for certain years, and by that means to pass Masters. A Privilege which the town allowed of for the good of those poor Children, who by this means are enabled to gain their livelihood honestly by their labours, without being a burden, or a mischief to the town etc. They amount at present to the number of one hundred and fifty.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the Hospital of les enfants rogues, or, God's Children, as a King of France would have them called: in the Street Portfoin near the Temple: And of the Hospital called the Misericorde, or, Work of Mercy.  
PRovision being already made for poor Orphans of Paris, as well Boys and Girls, as also for Boys taken out of the hands of wicked parents; still new inventive Charity sets up another Hospital, for the assistance of other fatherless and motherless boys, of the villages round about Paris, being about ten or twelve years of age, or under. This blessed work was founded by that virtuous Lady Margaret Queen of Navarre and Duchess of Bar, whom Belforest styles the mirror of the Ladies of her time. To this the Charity of good people contributed, and in tract of time built a new Chapel and other lodgings.  
These are clothed in red to intimate Charity: and as well these as the Blew-boys gain part of their livelihood by carrying Torches at the funerals of such as desire them. They are now only about the number of forty.  

Of the Hospital called the Misericorde, or, Work of Mercy.  
Monsieur Anthony Seiguier, the second Precedent in Parliament, was the noble Founder thereof extending itself to the number of one hundred Girls, who are plentifully provided of all things necessary. So that certainly this Charity could not mount to less, all things considered, than to thirty or forty thousand pounds sterling.  
In the first place he raised them a fair and regular house from the ground, with a very decent and competent Chapel thereto adjoining. The house consists of three quarters (a body as it were and two arms); the fourth quarter being industriously left unbuilt, to receive the morning Sun, and so to afford a wholesome air to those young children. It contains in the first story (the lower rooms being employed for Refectory, Workhouse, Kitchen, Washhouse and other offices) four great Chambers singularly well pierced and aired: in every one whereof there are twenty five iron beds, with white coverlets, each one having her bed apart.  
They are modestly, handsomely, and wholsomely attired in Violet cloth and decent linen, and well fed. Secondly, He hath ordered that they shall all of them be such as want both father and mother, Natives of Paris, town or suburbs; begotten in lawful marriage, and destitute of all assistance.  
Thirdly, They must be six or seven years old before they can be admitted; where they are entertained till they be twenty five (unless haply they have leave for their own advantage to go to some religious house which desires them, or to some good Lady, Gentilewoman, or Burgess to serve them, or to learn some trade by their means and assistance) and furnished with all necessaries. They have over each Chamber a Mistress to keep good order among them, and to breed them up in virtue and all convenient works, under the conduct of a grave Governor, and learned Doctor of Sorborne, the chief Governor thereof.  
Fourthly, At their departure, the house allows each one an hundred Franks to help to settle them in the world, in marriage or otherwise.  
Finally, The wise Founder of it bequeathed it to the direction and care of divers Councillors and Masters of Requests, whereof a person of honour, Mr. Monthalon, was the chief in his kind; as a grave and learned Doctor of Sorborne is always to be the chief and immediate Governor, especially in Spirituality: The first Precedent of the Parliament and the Procurator general are also Surintendants (honorarii) of this place.    

CHAP. IX. Of the Hospital in St. German's Suburbs, called la petit Maison. Of the Hospital of the three hundred Blinde-men, called Quinze vingt. And of the Hospital called, The Providence.  
THE Children of both Sexes being well provided-for as above, the Charity of the good Magistrates was called to the care of poor aged and distressed persons, as well men as women, whose age and impotency hindered them to gain their living. They are divided into two quarters, the men living apart from the women. This House was for the most part as well built as endowed by the bountiful Charity of Mr. Boulencour, Counsellor to the King, and Precedent of his Chamber des counts, who erected many lodgings and chambers for the lame and impotent etc. They are furnished with meat, drink, and all things necessary, from the grand Bureaux des pavures, as it is commonly called; which is in effect the great Court of Audience in order to works of Charity, of which I intent to make a particular description hereafter.  
Further this Hospital receives poor Vagabonds, as well Boys as Girls, who have gotten scald Pates by lying in the streets, or under Shop-stalls, or otherwise; who are diligently dressed, purged and frequently cured, as it hath happened to above two hundred in this place.  
Here are also received poor Women, who are subject to the falling sickness, as also others who are distracted and run up and down the streets in a frantic manner; who yet by good usage are often in length of time recovered to their wits. The grand Bureau de pavures provides this house with a Governor, who is at present a very able Surgeon; who out of his singular charity makes choice to dwell amongst those miserable Creatures, the better to be able to assist them.  
And he is so far from enriching himself by his loathsome practice, that contrarily he freely spends his own fortunes upon them, in making many Medicaments and compositions, with hopes to cure their desperate infirmities, as it often happens; or at least to solace their pains. This good man hath another of the same profession, to assist him in that blessed employment. He liveth near to the place, and fails not to be with them every day, or even as oft as he is called-for, to apply the remedies, which the other provides according to his order.  
And whereas this place serves also for a house of correction, there are two prisons to tame incorrigible persons; and to that effect there are four Porters taken out of charity (by reason of some infirmity) as the rest are, who are ordered to watch over the comportments of the poor, in point of words or actions, or any inveterate vice they may have contracted in their rude Education; and accordingly to apprehend them by the Governor's direction. This is not one of the least Charities of Paris, by reason of the strange subjects they are to deal withal, whereof some through their decrepit age need continual assistance, others in respect of their irregular and accidental diseases must always have eyes upon them: others want wit either to assist themselves, or to render themselves capable of assistance without much labour. And others finally through their rudeness and incorrigibleness deserve no assistance at all, unless Charity taught Christians to render good for evil, and to serve Jesus Christ in the worst of his members.  

Of the Hospital of the three hundred Blinde-men, commonly called the Quinze-vingt.  
That great King and Saint Lovis the ninth was the first Founder. The first occasion of it, as is delivered by Belleforest in the first Tome of his Annals, was the misfortune of three hundred Gentlemen, who having been left Hostages in the Holy land by the said King, were treacherously and cruelly sent home to him with their eyes put out; for whom he made this place. He built them a large Church in a place, as then a wood, which he enriched with many holy Relics: Whereof the most precious are, a Peice of our Saviour's Cross; Bones of St. Stephen, and St. Lambert; a Peice of the same St. Stephen first Martyr, as also of St. Matthew the Apostle, and St. Blaise: Bones of St. Laurence; Bones of St. John, St. Paul, St. Martin and St. Hillary, with many more.   

The Hospital called the Providence,  
Was founded by that most incomparable Queen Regent, Anne de Austrice, bestowing a House and spacious garden upon the Inhabitants, situated in St. Marceaux Suburbs, and erecting it into a Seminary; where there are always about eighty in number. In this are settled a company of grave Maids; who live most regularly and exemplarly in secular state, being very gravely and modestly attired after the manner of good widows in the world. Their blessed employment is to receive gratis, instruct, and direct (in order to their present and future happiness) certain poor Maids, who are destitute of parents and means: and consequently run great hazard, to lose that which can never afterwards be recovered; and to be put withal, together with that irreparable loss, into the high way of perdition. Meanwhile all the other pious inventions of Paris had not reached to the prevention of this danger. For however there are multitudes of Hospitals for the education of poor Girls of a meaner condition: yet these here, to whom the Queen Regent extended her charity, being for the most part Gentlewomen of noble extraction and condition, Hospitals would but very ill suit with hearts born to better; which according to humane frailty flesh and blood cannot easily forget.  
It was her care then and liberality which provided them of this safe Sanctuary, where they are secured from the arrow flying in the day, from business walking in the night, from invasion, and the Mid day devil. And while they happily live in this holy vacancy from danger, they so improve themselves in virtue and good works, that some of them become capable thereby to be admitted into some charitable Monastery: others in time meet with marriages suitable to their conditions: and some finally by their ripeness in virtue, and care to follow the footsteps of their Mistresses, are judged fit to be made Mistress themselves, and to remain there to exhibit the like Charities to others, as they themselves have received.    

CHAP. X. Of the Hospital named lafoy Charity, in St. German's Suburbs.  
THis Hospital is governed by a company of Religious men, of the order of a Holy man called blessed Jean de Dieu, or John of God; the first Instituter of the same, under the Rule of St. Augustine. They add to the three essential Vows of Religion That of serving the sick all their life long. The extent of their Charity goes thus far, That they admit of all poor, sick and wounded persons of the Male Sex, without exception, save only such as have incurable or contagious diseases.  
The Hospital itself is nobly built, well situated, and as neatly kept, as most private houses in the town. What is wholly deputed to the use of the sick consists of three long Galleries or Halls; whereof the greatest contains eighty four handsome beds, with decent curtains, and is especially employed to receive honest poor Burgesses, whose house it may seem to be (so ordinarily are they lodged there.) The second is furnished with thirty two beds, equal to the former, and it is wholly allotted for wounded men.  
The third contains twenty two beds, and is for young Boys who are cut for the Stone.  
As to their manner of receiving the sick, it is full of humility and mildness. At their arrival one of the Religious washes their feet, which was the ancient and good manner of Hospitality. Then they are laid in a bed alone, as all the rest are (save the little children) with fair clean sheets, clean shirts, pillowbeers, nightcaps, and a table napkin, as also a night gown, pantobles, a basin to spit in, and a pot, and a cup to drink in. Their manner of treating the sick is to have them visited by the Doctor every day once at least, accompanied by the Infirmarian, the Apothecary, and the Surgeon, who order what Physic they are to take, what to eat, drink, etc. And still from three hours to three hours they take something or other to refresh and comfort them; as new laid eggs, broth, a coulis, jellly, or comfeitures. In fine those good Religious never desert them day, nor night, but watch with them by turns.  
For the good of their Souls, they are advised upon their first coming to prepare themselves to make a general confession, as the most excellent and necessary remedy; God's merciful providence oft permitting our corporal sicknesses, for the cure of our spiritual infirmities. Either then presently, in case they be dangerously sick, or at least the next day, they receive the holy Communion, which is brought to them by the Priest, before Mass, being accompanied by all the Religious, which go all processionally (with wax candles in their hands) singing the Pang lingua, and veni Creator. Afterwards they hear Mass every day, which is said in the same place, with many other Anthems and Prayers sung by the Religious. They are also taught their Christian doctrine, thrice a week; and besides that a Religious is appointed to instruct them more particularly in point of their Prayers, the Sacraments, etc. Before dinner and supper they are ordered to say Pater, and Ave, for their Benefactors, while the Religious recite the Psalm Miserere, and De profundis; and then they wash their hands, and hear the Blessing of the Table said with a loud voice. When any one is dangerously ill, and drawing towards his Agony, all the religious are called together by ringing the Bell, and come with lighted Tapers in their hands, to say the Prayers appointed by the Church in such circumstances. That done there is a Religious left with them, to assist and comfort them till death. Being dead they are decently brought out and buried: all the Religious being present, with lighted Torches in their hands, who say the office for the dead, and sing the Mass of Requiem for the good of their Souls. And indeed all things are so well disposed in this place, and even so gently, regularly and religiously as to all conveniences, which concern either body or soul, that not only good Burgesses, but withal, persons of great quality make choice of it in their sickness. And some of them were so much edified with that religious treatment, that a pious Knight of England returned home so well seasoned with the agreeable odour of that excellent Charity, which he saw done to any without exception, that by his last Will and Testament he bequeathed nine hundred Livres to that blessed place.   

CHAP. XI. Of the Hospital General.  
THis Hospital is called but one (Hospital General) but branches itself into six vast places. That which bears the name, and has the Surintendance of all the rest, is situated in St. Victor's Suburbs (close by the Abbey of that name) and is known by a more particular name, our Lady's of Pity; which the Masters and Administrators of the place built, having to that purpose bought divers houses and gardens, and allotted them all, to receive, lodge, and nourish poor old women and young girls, whereof there are at this hour twelve hundred and odd.  
The Hospitals depending upon this, are the Salpetriere, Biscestre, Scipion, the Teigniery, and the Savonnery: In which six places, above eight thousand poor Creatures are contained and maintained at present, by the care of the King, and the Magistrates, and the free and common Charities of all the people, which is received in small trunks or boxes, placed in Churches and Shops all the town over.  
The Salpetriere is far the most ample of all these places, being built from the ground in a fair and regular Quadrangle, and is capable of four or five thousand persons. It is finely situated in a Meadow by the river side, over against the Arcenal. It was especially deputed to the use of Vagabonds and Beggars, which importuned and infested all Paris, whither they swarmed from all the Provinces. It is divided in the use of it into three quarters. One quarter is employed to lodge poor families, not otherwise able to live. Another for men who are obliged to work according to their abilities: And the third for little Girls even from two years old.  
Scipion is in St. Marceaux Suburbs, and is wholly employed in a work of singular Chariity: viz. Poor women with child, who have not means at home to be brought to bed, are freely received there, brought to bed and lie in, being provided of Nurses and all things fitting in such a condition.  
The Castle of Bicestre is an ancient building standing a little out of St. Victor's Suburbs. It is for those who have strength and ability to work. There are in it at this time about eighteen hundred men, who are kept closely to the exercise of their divers trades.  
The Teignery is in St. German's Suburbs; and is employed to keep one hundred and twenty, who are troubled with scaled heads. As the Savatery is allotted for the charitable entertainments of sixty poor sickly boys.  
Now as this is the thing of most public and general concern of all the rest, as being a royal Establishment, and royally endowed by his Majesty's liberal Concessions in many kinds; and as the end of it is, not only to relieve the poor for the present, but to prevent poverty and beggary for the time to come: great Art and Industry is used, to train up the younger sort in such manufactures as may always afford them an honest livelihood: and others who, though strong and lusty, and well able to work, yet choosed rather to live in idleness, and beg their bread, are now taught and forced to gain it by their labours. Which that it might be followed without any interruption, it is ordered by public authority, that when any of them happens to be sick they are transported to the Hostel Dieu, that general Refugium Afflictorum which never refuseth any. Hence it is that the greatest Officers of his Majesty's Court of Justice, Magistrates, etc. are entrusted, and take a religious concern in the menagement of this vast work, in quality of honourable Survisors, having store of able, honest, and intelligent Burgesses, to put in execution what by their frequent assemblies and conferrences is found most conducing to the public welfare.  
And no less care is taken for the spiritual advancement of those lazy Vagabonds, who were too neglectful of their Souls good, and would willingly have loitered it out in the streets and by-corners, with too probable hazard of eternal perdition; had they not been forced in, according to the Gospel, with fair hopes to gain the day-penny of Beatitude. This care is principally left to the wise conduct of a Forborn Doctor, of great learning and virtuous reputation, his name is Mr. Polier, Governor of this Hospital in chief, Director of the Visitation, and of the Carmelites. He humbles himself to take a place, and live among these Beggars: which as it is a place of little splendour, so proves it to him of less emolument; save only that it affords him full utterance for ten or twelve thousand franks a year, which he stood possessed of in patrimony or benefices before he embraced that dear beggarly preferment. He has the sollicitudes of all the six places upon his own shoulders, being assisted with a matter of twenty pious Priests, who incessantly under his directions preach, teach, instruct, comfort, confess, communicate, etc. Here it must not be omitted to God's Glory, and the Honour of those excellent Ladies of Charity, sooften mentioned above with deserved commendations; That they were the first Movers to this vast work; by whom Mr. Vincent was often in their weekly charitable Assemblies solicited, yea importuned to give way to, and accompany, their zeal in that kind. But his grave counsel still was, That they went too fast a pace for him (whose custom was to walk slowly) to keep company with them. That it was a business of so great importance, and so vast extent, whether one looked upon the manner how to compass it, or the means to maintain it, that it required a long and mature deliberation. For the rest, that he was singularly edified with their zeal, and infinitely blessed God in it. The first Lady that spoke freely offered towards this great work fifty thousand Livres.  
The second was ready to oblige herself to give three thousand Livres annual rent. In fine they assured him again and again that there should be no want of means, since many Ladies of their acquaintances were resolved to contribute in a very large measure.  
Whereupon Father Vincent had recourse to the Queen Regent, and obtained of her free Charity the Salpebry (as he had before the Castle of Biscestre) which he and those virtuous Ladies, upon better consideration and second thoughts, freely consigned up into the hands of the Magistrates, who had not only stronger arms (for stronger and more courageous hearts they could not have) to weald so heavy a frame, but by their power withal they were able to call many hands to lighten the burden. Meanwhile these noble Ladies threw notable sums into these stronger hands; not much caring by whom, so God's work were done. And by their own and the good Father's care and cost a great quantity of linen beds, and other moveables, together with ten thousand Shirts by number were provided for God's new Housekeepers, and to make the poor welcome.  
They opened their hands to the needy, and stretched out their palms to the poor: Let their works praise them in the gates of heaven.   

CHAP. XII. Of the great Hospital called l' Hostel Dieu, or, God's House.  
THE perfect Description of this vast Family is of a work rather to be admired, than to be expressed to the full. It is a Sea which still so ebbs and flows, that it is continual high-water, still a full Sea there.  
Scarce a day in the year passes, but there are fifty, sixty, eighty, or sometime a hundred new Comers; and haply too a like number may departed to make place for their poor neighbours, whether as being recovered and sent back to their own houses, or dead and sent to their graves. In a word, this Sea is ever so growing, and so grown, That twenty at least, or twenty five, thousand come and return, or die in a years space.  
Those of any Country, or Religion, or Age, or Sex, or sick of whatever disease, excepting the Pestilence (who necessarily are excluded for the safety of the rest) are here equally admitted. They rather laying two or three poor boys in one bed than refusing any. Their ordinary numbers are always vast; they have rarely less than seventeen, or eighteen hundred, often times two thousand, nay sometimes they pass three thousand; as I was certainly informed by one of the Doctors thereof. Yet that great Provisor, who with five barley loaves and two fishes could satiate a far greater multitude in the wild Desert, can when he pleaseth, and doth in due time, open the hearts and purses of the good Parisians to feed those huge numbers of his distressed members. And however their constant annual Revenues mount to an immense sum; viz. to two hundred fifty eight thousand three hundred and thirteen Livres French, as it is stated by the Administrators of the place, yet are they still obliged to lift their hands up to their heavenly foster father, for sixty seven thousand three hundred Livres (sometimes less, sometimes more) in common years, which yet out of his singular mercy never fails to rise out of the free charity of particular persons.  
As for the first and principal Founders or Benefactors of this place, as it is found in the Antiquities of Paris, in the year six hundred and sixty, St. Landry the twenty eighth Bishop of Paris, in the reign of King Clovis the second, was the first who put a hand to this holy work, now called God's House, where he nourished the poor out of his own Revenues.  
In the year 1258 (according to Gagnin) St. Lewis King of France employed a great sum, to enlarge the said Hospital, and to augment the Revenues thereof, as saith William Nangis in his life. The Chapel was built by a Burgess of Paris named Gudart Mocreux, as appears upon a plate of brass in old rhimes.  
In the year of our Lord 1535. Chancellor Pratte, who was afterwards Cardinal, and Legate in France, made this Hospital be very much amplified by the addition of one spacious room, which is called the Legates Hall. He gave withal a great substance to maintain the poor of the place, the Religious women who serve them, and the Surgeons, Doctors, and to buy Physic.  
In the year 1602. King Henry the great caused the great and little Hall of St. Thomas to be reedifyed. They were begun the foresaid year, and were finished in the year 1606. together with the three massy Pillars which were raised out of the River.  
Thus by many hands and sundry additional endeavours at divers times it grew up at length into a huge bulk; yet for all that, it was neither answerable to their large hearts who have the care of it, nor to the vast number of the poor and needy which continually superabounds. Whereas therefore the Land could afford them no Elbow-room, the place being limited on all sides (viz. with two streets, our Lady's Church, and the river) they forced the River to afford them place by making a bridge over the back of it, upon which they have gained a fair large and long Gallery, and by that again they discovered a way open to a greater enlargement: for having purchased a company of old buildings on the other side of the water, they raised upon their ruins a stately vast, and even a royal, quarter consisting of three most spacious Halls, all of hewn stone. Nor are these and the old Halls divided by the River, but it is even it which affords a fair large Court in the middle of them; which is no less agreeable to the eye, than useful for the sick to take the air, and to air the whole house. All the ancient building consists of four great Halls and seven Offices.  
The Legates Hall, and the New Hall, are appointed for sick women. The Hall of women brought to bed is assigned for their lying in. The Hall of the Infirmary is allotted for men that are most sick.  
The Office of St. Device is for those that are wounded. The Office of St. Thomas for sick men.  
The Office belonging to Dame Prioress, and three other Religious, is employed to wind the Dead.  
The Office of the Washhouse is used to dry the Linen of the sick and that of the Community.  
The Office of the Watchers for those who watch with the sick fifteen nights together.  
The Office of her who keeps the Trunk and the Relics, and dresses the Church for that use.  
The Office of the Porter is deputed to receive the sick, to see them visited, lodged and confessed. who is withal to give out bread and wine for them.  
There is also an Apothecary where Ointments, Salves and medicinal Drugs are kept in a readiness.  
A great Washhouse for all the Clothes in general.  
A little one where thrice a day they wash the Linen of such as are more grievously sick.  
The Vestery out of which the sick are furnished with beds, which yet might rather be called the trash-house, wherein all the poor people's riches, I mean their rags, are kept for their use.  
There are also many more places for the Priests (who are ten constantly, besides many others, who out of their particular devotion come frequently to instruct and comfort the sick) and domestical servants etc. as every one will easily conceive. There are also four Drs of Physic entertained in ordinary with Surgeons to the number of twelve.  
As for the number and quality of those who tend the sick: all the Halls and Offices, and all these multitudes of sick and lame creatures, are looked to, tended and provided for, by the painful and perpetual labours of about a hundred virtuous Nuns of St. Augustine's Order (who make their solemn profession of three Vows, of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, in the presence of the Dean and Canons of our blessed lady, who have all spiritual and temporal jurisdiction in this place): These few Religious Virgins (few I say compared to the vast numbers of the sick) freely renouncing their own liberty, and all hopes of worldly preferment, to become the servants of the most poor despisable servants of God: that I may not say their slaves, since a more abject and slavish life can hardly be devised. Whence Boteras an ancient Poet, admiring the charity and constancy of the said Religious women, who serve the sick amidst so much filth and infection, expresses himself in four Latin Verses to this effect.  

They make themselves the Slaves of sick and lame,  
To dress the loathsome sores we scarce dare name,  
Their Balm is Gore; their Civet, festered wounds,  
Hence th' odour of their Virtue more abounds.   
They wash all the clothes of those multitudes of nasty gory impotent, and even too often impudent, people, even in the most rigorous cold of winter; then they stand in the river all the day long in great stiff boots, not unlike to those of Fishermen, be it frost or snow, with their Beetles in their hands, being many times all garnished round about their habits with Icicles.  
Further they must every one in their turns serve them with their meat, drink, and all things necessary. They must turn and wind them in their bed, make the same, dress their scabs, and wounds etc. watch them amidst the ghastly horror of the night, where Death is domineering in the Hall round about them: Finally assist them dying in great numbers, wind their dead bodies, and send them to their Graves.  
This ample Charity conceived also that it was not enough to relieve poor people in their sickness, and to send them home being pretty well recovered to make place for others, according to the necessity of the place: unless their Charity provided further for their future well being, and re-establishment in their accustomed strength and vigour; relapses being frequently found more dangerous than the sickness itself. Hereupon it was, that those considerate persons took a house not far distant, where those new Convalescents have liberty to pass a longer time in that fresher air, and so wholly to confirm their strength.  
The Good Sisters of the Hostel Dieu have yet two houses more, which depend upon their charitable assistance; viz. St. Lewis in St. Laurences Suburbs, a most spacious, magnificent and truly Kinglike Building, whose Majestical aspect speaks the greatness of a royal Founder, Henry the Great.  
And another called la Santè, a little distant from St. Marzeaux Suburbs. And they are both allotted to the relief of poor people, who may chance to be afflicted with the plague, whom these good Souls have the heroical Charity to tend.  
In their ordinary employ in their Hostel Dieu they freely give themselves over to the most abject and slavish life imaginable. But in this they sacrifice up themselves to the most dismal death possible. So that they put the highest rate upon their Charity that man is capable of, as is made good by our Saviour himself, no man hath a greater Charity than to give his life for his friends.   

CHAP. XIII. Of the Hospital called Our Ladies of the Incurables.  
THere is also an Hospital founded on set purpose for the poor Incurables; where if Christian Charity cannot cure their desperate diseases, she may at least solace them in their continuing afflictions. And this blessed office of Christianity is performed with so much sweetness and affectionate care in this place, that those poor desolate creatures observing that they suffer not alone, but that their brethren in Christ bear a part of their burden with them by compassion, they seem to be half cured.  
The illustrious person who first invented and founded this heavenly habitation, seconded by the bountiful liberalities of his pious Majesty Lewis the thirteenth, who freed them not only of all duties belonging to the Crown, but also gave them his Rights of Entrees of Wine etc. together with a general exemption from all subsidies and impositions etc. This illustrious Patron, I say, was the most religious and eminent Cardinal de Rushfaucaud, who lived, beyond the ordinary course of nature, to fee a good part of this design on foot. To which he contributed bountifully. viz. He endowed the place with a yearly rent in perpetuum of three thousand and six hundred Franks, or three hundred and sixty Pistols, and laid down wherewith to build a fair Church and two Halls in the year 1637.  
The place fixed upon for this most agreeable work was in St. German's Suburbs, in a most healthful and delicious air, consisting of no less than ten acres of ground in one fair piece. There the vast Charity of Paris finds a large field to dilate itself upon. And in very deed it seems it will meet with work enough for a long time, since, as I am told, the Design is to build eight or ten fair large Halls, all to be furnished with beds, as we see at present, with comely white fustian curtains, with each one a straw bed, a feather bed and a good quilt, together with an Altar to every Hall, where those impotent people may hear Mass in their beds. Of all these designed Halls there are as yet only four perfected.  
The excellent Administrators of the place are yearly improving the Revenues, as well by common Charities, which by their singular industry and dexterity they procure, as by the addition of their own means, one of them paying fifteen hundred Livres French, or one hundred and fifty Pistols for himself and his man per annum, and freely contributing as much more yearly out of pure Charity, besides three thousand pounds which he gave the first year to plant and beautify the garden. So that their purely charitable and successful labours, together with their own liberalities, heighten their hopes to such a degree, that they confidently propose to themselves to extend that pious foundation, which was first made for a dozen only (six men, and six women) to four hundred. Nor will it be much to be doubted of (if God grant life to those admirable Provisors, in whose management the place now flourishes); since by their care, liberality, and prosperous endeavours they have already in a few years multiplied twelve, to one hundred and sixty, which are entertained at present. And indeed God's Blessing hath already so visibly appeared upon this holy foundation that since the year 1637, till this present year 1666 (the year wherein this relation was first published) it is augmented by the Charities of Paris, in point of buildings, to the value of five hundred thousand french Livres, and as much more in foundation of beds, making in all a french Million, besides sixty thousand Livres in annual Revenues. That part which relates to the bodily care of the Incurables, and the continual assistances which are necessary for those poor creatures which are incapable in the least to help themselves, is performed by good youngmen (as to the poor men) who out of Devotion subject themselves to that abject employment, taking a reasonable consideration for that holy and hard service. And as to the women, there are modest Secular Maids, who comply with the like good offices with much religion, sweetness and compassion.  
The other duty, which concerns their Souls, is abundantly discharged by the continual sollicitudes of a company of most pious Priests, who live in the place, to be ready upon every call; and who are so absolutely free from all self interest that they pour out their own substance in that Christian Service, in lieu of gathering together any riches thereby. Witness Mr. Despond the Vicar, who hath the chief charge of the Spirituality of the place, who out of his own Patrimony (in a few years that he hath lived there) hath given to the house above twelve thousand Livres; with intention to leave his fair and well chosen Library, which is worth ten thousand more, for the use thereof. In a word the beautiful contrivance of the whole building, the excellency of the situation, and the odour of the admirable Charity practised therein, delightfully allures persons of great worth and honour to reside there, Abbots, Counsellors, &c: Who, after they have given ample testimonies of their abilities in profitably serving the public the best of their years, know to make a holy retreat, and to sacrifice up the honourable rest of what they sometimes were, to God along in that devout Sanctuary, where they build themselves noble quarters during their lives, to be left to the Hospital as Monuments of their Piety after their deaths.  
Most worthily may be added to these that most famous Bishop of Beslay, that Lover of the poor and poverty, which he truly practised; for though he did not actually live with them, yet did his affection and approbation always accompany them, his ambition, as he oft said, never going higher than to be reputed a poor Chaplain of that holy family: Hence he left them what he had, and the relics of what he had been to be interred in their Church. Requiescat in pace.   

CHAP. XIV. Of divers other Charities, which cannot so well be particularised.  
THere are many other excellent works of Charity exercised in Paris. As in that Hospital of the Racquet in the Suburbs of St. Anthony's, which depends on another in the Town behind the Place Royal; governed by a company of good Nuns of St. Augustine's Order, who receive a many good Burgesses in their infirmities and incommodities, and treat them with much charity and goodness, affording them handsome beds, good diet, and all things necessary.  
There are other two houses; effects of the late Charities of Paris: the one for men, and the other for women newly converted.  
The first in St. Victor's Suburbs; the other near St. Eustache's. They are taken in, and maintained gratis for three months' space at least, to be thoroughly instructed and constantly settled in the truth.  
God so blessed the pious endeavours of a good Lady called Madam D'Estang, among the good people of Paris, That she has procured subsistence for two hundred and fifty poor young Maids (which her care hath gathered together); who by her grave prudence are modestly and christianly bred, and carefully kept out of harms way; to which that Sex and those green years are but too incident.  
Multitudes of Girls are taught (for mere Charity) to serve God, to read, to write, to work divers kinds of work, whereby they are enabled to become good Housewives at home, or to gain their livelihood among the Merchants: Taught as well in Religious houses, especially the Vrsulanes, whose proper Profession it is, as in divers particular Congregations (which are common all over Paris) where good Widows and ancient Matrons devote themselves to that pious care.  
To conclude, poor distressed people of the general Hospital, the otherwise deserted Galleyslaves, and the desolate Prisoners, often experience the comfortable visits of the noblest Ladies of Paris: who solace the first with their affable and pious Discourse; and oftentimes deliver the later by paying the sum for which they were imprisoned.  
One of the most principal of pious Works being, the building Churches for God's public Service, and houses of Religious, by whom he may be more constantly, and without all secular distractions, adored. The City of Paris for these is much renowned, the Catholic Piety of which in thirty years' space hath produced at least forty considerable Churches and Chapels with fair Monasteries to the most of them.  

A particular Catalogue of which is here exhibited.  

In St. James' Suburbs are these which follow.  
1. The Institution of the Oratory.  
2. Port Royal.  
3. Vall de Grace.  
4. The Fuliantines.  
5. The Ursulines.  
6. The Visitation.   

In St. German's Suburbs.  
7. Calvaire.  
8. The Carmes  
9 The Jesuits Novitiate  
10. The Misericordia.  
11. The Dixe Virtue.  
12. Chasse Midy.  
13. The Incurables.  
14. Belchace.  
15. The Jacobines.  
16. The Petits Austin's   

In St. Mercel's Suburbs.  
17. The Misericordia.  
18. The Pity.   

In the University.  
19 St. Stephen's re-edified a New.  
20. The Sorbon.  
21. Clermont.  
22. St. Nicholas now making all a New.  
23. Bons Enfants.   

In the Isle de Nostre Dame.  
24. St. Lewis.   

In the Isle de Palais.  
25. The Barnabites.   

In St. Honories Suburbs.  
26. Villevesque.  
27. Conception.  
28. The Assumption.  
29. The Feulliens.  
30. St. Roch.   

In the Town itself.  
31. The Oratorians.  
32. The little Augustine's.  
33. The Nuns of St. Thomas.  
34. The Carmelites.  
35. St. Eustace re edified.  
36. The Carmelites, rue Chapan.  
37. The Jesuits, rue St. Anthony.  
38. The Visitation, rue S. Anthony.  
39 The Minims.  
40. The Carmes Mitigez   
Now if thus much be said for the Piety which appears in the Walls, what might not justly be said for the religious lives of the heavenly Inhabitants? Who endeavouring to follow the Evangelical Counsels (which certainly were not given by Wisdom itself to fall fruitless to the ground; to be neglected by all men, to be imitated by none;) of a more perfect way of life than the mere keeping the Commandments (as these oblige all men under penalty of sin) went and sold, or abandoned, all that they had, and all that they could hope for in this world (to become thereby the poor of Christ, and take up their Cross, that is a penitential life) gave it to the poor, and followed him; by imitating his divine, chastity, poverty and obedience, as far forth as by his grace they are capable thereof. Who have but one heart and one soul in our Lord, one common habitation, one purse, one pantery, and live at such a distance from any real propriety, that these cold words, Meum & Tuum, Mine and Thine (the source of all dissensions) are banished out of their Society. Whose whole application, as well by profession as practice, is to God and godly Studies; whose exercise is to pray and sing heavenly Psalms, Hymns, and Canticles, before the throne of God, day and night; in a word, whose Conversation is entirely in Heaven.   
FINIS.