The good souls who will have it that all goes well at Rome, dwell with fervour on the advantage he possesses in not being a priest.

If he is accused of possessing inordinate wealth, these indulgent Christians reply, that he is not a priest! If you charge him with having read Machiavelli to good purpose; admitted--what then ?--he is no priest! If the tongue of scandal is over-free with his private life; still the ready reply, that he is not a priest! If Deacons are thus privileged, what latitude may we not claim who have not even assumed the tonsure?
This highly-blest mortal has one weakness--truly a very natural one.
He fears death.

A certain fair lady, who had been honoured by his Eminence's particular attentions, thus illustrated the fact, "Upon meeting me at our rendezvous, he seized me like a madman, and with trembling eagerness examined my pockets.

It was only when he had assured himself that I had no concealed weapon about me that he seemed to remember our friendship." One man alone has dared to threaten a life so precious to itself, and he was an idiot.

Instigated by some of the secret societies, this poor crazed wretch concealed himself beneath the staircase of the Vatican, and awaited the coming of the Cardinal.