Finally, the worthy bishop called upon all members of his
flock, in consideration of the solemnity of the day, to abstain from
sensual pleasures, in order that they might the more piously and
worthily contemplate the sacred objects submitted to their view, and
digest the spiritual nourishment to be offered to their understandings.
From the specimen we have already given of the character of the populace
of Rome, it will perhaps be unnecessary to say that the great
attractions presented by this theological bill of fare were the relics
and the chandelier. Pulpit eloquence and vigil solemnities alone must
have long exhibited their more sober allurements, before they could have
drawn into the streets a fiftieth part of the immense crowd that now
hurried towards the desecrated basilica. Indeed, so vast was the
assemblage soon congregated, that the advanced ranks of sightseers had
already filled the church to overflowing, before those in the rear had
come within view of the colonnades.
However dissatisfied the unsuccessful portion of the citizens might feel
at their exclusion from the church, they found a powerful counter-
attraction in the amusements going forward in the Place, the occupants
of which seemed thoroughly regardless of the bishop's admonitions upon
the sobriety of behaviour due to the solemnity of the day.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136