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'After we had been at Rome about six weeks our old friend the
priest of Naples arrived； but without his subordinate； for whose
services he now perhaps thought that he had no occasion。 I believe
he found matters in our family wearing almost as favourable an
aspect as he could desire： with what he had previously taught them
and shown them at Naples and elsewhere； and with what the red…
haired confederate had taught them and shown them at Rome； the poor
young ladies had become quite handmaids of superstition； so that
they； especially the youngest； were prepared to bow down to
anything； and kiss anything； however vile and ugly； provided a
priest commanded them； and as for the old governor； what with the
influence which his daughters exerted； and what with the ascendency
which the red…haired man had obtained over him； he dared not say
his purse； far less his soul； was his own。 Only think of an
Englishman not being master of his own purse！ My acquaintance； the
lady's maid； assured me that； to her certain knowledge； he had
disbursed to the red…haired man； for purposes of charity； as it was
said； at least one thousand pounds during the five weeks we had
been at Rome。 She also told me that things would shortly be
brought to a conclusion … and so indeed they were； though in a
different manner from what she and I and some other people
imagined； that there was to be a grand festival； and a mass； at
which we were to be present； after which the family were to be
presented to the Holy Father； for so those two priestly sharks had
managed it； and then 。 。 。 she said she was certain that the two
ladies； and perhaps the old governor； would forsake the religion of
their native land； taking up with that of these foreign regions；
for so my fellow…servant expressed it； and that perhaps attempts
might be made to induce us poor English servants to take up with
the foreign religion； that is herself and me； for as for our
fellow…servant； the other maid； she wanted no inducing； being
disposed body and soul to go over to it。 Whereupon I swore with an
oath that nothing should induce me to take up with the foreign
religion； and the poor maid； my fellow…servant； bursting into
tears； said that for her part she would die sooner than have
anything to do with it； thereupon we shook hands and agreed to
stand by and countenance one another： and moreover； provided our
governors were fools enough to go over to the religion of these
here foreigners； we would not wait to be asked to do the like； but
leave them at once； and make the best of our way home； even if we
were forced to beg on the road。
'At last the day of the grand festival came； and we were all to go
to the big church to hear the mass。 Now it happened that for some
time past I had been much afflicted with melancholy； especially
when I got up of a morning； produced by the strange manner in which
I saw things going on in our family； and to dispel it in some
degree； I had been in the habit of taking a dram before breakfast。
On the morning in question； feeling particularly low spirited when
I thought of the foolish step our governor would probably take
before evening； I took two drams before breakfast； and after
breakfast； feeling my melancholy still continuing； I took another；
which produced a slight effect upon my head； though I am convinced
nobody observed it。
'Away we drove to the big church； it was a dark misty day； I
remember； and very cold； so that if anybody had noticed my being
slightly in liquor； I could have excused myself by saying that I
had merely taken a glass to fortify my constitution against the
weather； and of one thing I am certain； which is； that such an
excuse would have stood me in stead with our governor； who looked；
I thought； as if he had taken one too； but I may be mistaken； and
why should I notice him； seeing that he took no notice of me？ so
away we drove to the big church； to which all the population of the
place appeared to be moving。
'On arriving there we dismounted； and the two priests； who were
with us； led the family in； whilst I followed at a little distance；
but quickly lost them amidst the throng of people。 I made my way；
however； though in what direction I knew not； except it was one in
which everybody seemed striving； and by dint of elbowing and
pushing I at last got to a place which looked like the aisle of a
cathedral； where the people stood in two rows； a space between
being kept open by certain strangely…dressed men who moved up and
down with rods in their hands； all were looking to the upper end of
this place or aisle； and at the upper end； separated from the
people by palings like those of an altar； sat in magnificent…
looking stalls； on the right and the left； various wonderful…
looking individuals in scarlet dresses。 At the farther end was
what appeared to be an altar； on the left hand was a pulpit； and on
the right a stall higher than any of the rest； where was a figure
whom I could scarcely see。
'I can't pretend to describe what I saw exactly； for my head； which
was at first rather flurried； had become more so from the efforts
which I had made to get through the crowd； also from certain
singing； which proceeded from I know not where； and； above all；
from the bursts of an organ； which were occasionally so loud that I
thought the roof； which was painted with wondrous colours； would
come toppling down on those below。 So there stood I … a poor
English servant … in that outlandish place； in the midst of that
foreign crowd； looking at that outlandish sight； hearing those
outlandish sounds； and occasionally glancing at our party； which；
by this time； I distinguished at the opposite side to where I
stood； but much nearer the place where the red figures sat。 Yes；
there stood our poor governor and the sweet young ladies； and I
thought they never looked so handsome before； and close by them
were the sharking priests； and not far from them was that idiotical
parson Platitude； winking and grinning； and occasionally lifting up
his hands as if in ecstasy at what he saw and heard； so that he
drew upon himself the notice of the congregation。
'And now an individual mounted the pulpit； and began to preach in a
language which I did not understand； but which I believe to be
Latin； addressing himself seemingly to the figure in the stall； and
when he had ceased； there was more singing； more organ…playing； and
then two men in robes brought forth two things which they held up；
and then the people bowed their heads； and our poor governor bowed
his head； and the sweet young ladies bowed their heads； and the
sharking priests； whilst the idiotical parson Platitude tried to
fling himself down； and then there were various evolutions
withinside the pale； and the scarlet figures got up and sat down；
and this kind of thing continued for some time。