This is principally due to the poverty of the Cardinals and the parsimony of the Popes.

In the old days, when they gave away more liberally, men of ability flocked from all quarters.

This reduction of the Court dates from the Council; for the bishops and beneficed clergy being now obliged to retire to their residences, the larger portion of the Court has left Rome.

To the same cause may be ascribed a diminution in the numbers of those who serve the Pontiff, seeing that since only one benefice can now be given, and that involves residence, there are few who care to follow the Court at their own expense and inconvenience without hope of greater reward.

The poverty of the Cardinals springs from two causes.