In process of time not only the dwelling, but a large precinct round it, was held inviolable.

It was a point of honour with every Ambassador to extend as widely as possible the limits of the region which was under his protection.

At length half the city consisted of privileged districts, within which the Papal government had no more power than within the Louvre or the Escurial.

Every asylum was thronged with contraband traders, fraudulent bankrupts, thieves and assassins.

In every asylum were collected magazines of stolen or smuggled goods.