Skip to main content

Full text of "Interesting Letters of Pope Clement XIV (Ganganelli): To which are Prefixed, Anecdotes of His Life"

See other formats 


This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project 
to make the world's books discoverable online. 

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject 
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books 
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover. 

Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the 
publisher to a library and finally to you. 

Usage guidelines 

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the 
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to 
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. 

We also ask that you: 

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for 
personal, non-commercial purposes. 

+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine 
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the 
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help. 

+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find 
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it. 

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just 
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other 
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of 
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner 
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe. 

About Google Book Search 

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers 
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web 



at |http : //books . google . com/ 



5*- 

I. 



^- f > #- y^^^^A^* • 'j^j 



1 







I 



% \:^^:f}ff^^^^'^^''^ 



■^v'> i V >■'-/ ''■'-< ^ ^':-i ■■ /'r^^^y . 



■/ ./ -..., . - -^/.', 






i 






J i'ji^ jk^ :^^x.^%^tt. cv ^ ^ 



4^ J^^ €^£<f ^ <-«^r-<r»^y. .*«riU.-i/ ir/^ /Ci 






^, \A6^''^ ///.^^^ -. 



'/-':■ 



. > ' .• 



/.'/ 



^•H^ff-j'' 


'/'-' 


^, 


.• * 

i '< 
f ■ * 


'■ 




J^&Z {^ . 


r r' •-"A—i 


'^•^. 


■V. 


'-• *" 


' •' '* 


/t^/^'cC^' 


*'* -/ 


/- 


' »** <• 




VfW 


"7- ^.i C 


•,<- 1 


r r'' 


, , 




/j^ 


/ 


; <♦ <^» / i 




\j. 


•-3 











* -V 



- "^ . ■ - • 'i- v.- 



I — \ ^L, 



K . . .?^ ^/^' /'-'^^ 



L t .^mj.iaifM 






"" J I hi T E R E S T I N G 

.% E T^T E R S 

O F P O P E . , 

CLEMENT /XIV. ,, ->/- 
(GANG AN ELL I.) 

TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED, 



. ANECDOTES OF HIS LIFE. 

V 

'y TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH EDITION PUB- 

^ . LISHED AT PARIS BY LOTTIN, JUN. 



I 


• 




IN TWO VOLUMES. 


L 


VOL. I. 



I DUBLIN: 

APifoted for MefTrs. Price, Whitestome, W. Sleatsr, 

* W.Watson, R.Cross, Chamberlain, J. Potts, 

-.■ Wilkinson, Byrne, Burrowes, J. Hoey, Wil- 

^ LiAMs, W. Colles, W. Wilson, Armitaoe, Wal- 

\ XXm, JSNKIN, WoOAN, MoNCRIEPFE, BURNET, 

^ W«iTE, E.Cross, Fun, Mills, H\ 01.x , '^t.^'ak'^^ 

\ I MiBAiN, Bjatty, Talbot, Grtju^i^^ 'Y » Y^i^\*\*h ^ 

U MMdT.M*DoN^SLL, M,DCC,LXXV\V ,^, 



ANECDOTES 

OP 

GANGANELLI, 

CLEMENT XIV- 

ALTHOUGH the Chair of Saint 
Peter is not looked upon with the 
fame reverence in this country at prefent^ 
as it was fonnerly, yet the Sovereign Pon- 
tiff ftill holds fuch a rank among the Pow 
eis on the Continent, thitt we cannot help 
being aftoni(hed to fee a man of the molt 
obCcure birth^ in our own days, arrive at 
the honour of wearing the trijrfe Crown ; 
and in the myfterious ways of Providence^ 
a petty Monk of the Order of Saint Fran- 
cis acquire (ufficient powdr to annihilate 
the mighty Order of the Jefuits, thofe 
haughty fons of St. %natius, wfaofe cabals 
and intrigues had made them formidable 
for. ages to every Court in Europe, and 
enablai them to eftabli(h a powerful well re- 
gulated Sovereignty in another hemifphere. 
Howfever extraordinary it may appear^ 
it is not the lefs true, that the Ton of a 
phyfidan^r John- Vincent- Antonio Ganga- 

VOL £ B TV^^ 



ii ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
itettr^rwhonras-'Wit-in- the year 1705,, m 
the little town of St. Arcangelo, near R(- 
intnij^^as pforrxptedrto the higheft jrank of 
the Church, and was elefted Pope at" a 
time when the court of Rome was involved 
in the decpeft diftrcfs, from its quarrels 
wyth tt|e kings^ot fra^ce, Spain, Portugal, 
*ftd^&plds.-..li. '. . . / . : j 

ft has almoft always been obferved, that 
thofecn^l^ who -.have a^riired ^t p^wej* and 
confequehce with the Wotld, have emitted 
fome of thofe fparks of genius during their 
in&ncy,' which announced their future ad- 
vancement ; and Clement XIV. is fai4 %o 
Rave giveR fomfe very fignal proofs of gen 
niusi application,' and love of learning, at 
a very earjy period; 

' Wea^etobt that his parents were fur- 
prifed to fee that none of the amufemenis 
with which other children were pleafed, 
could ever Engage him ; but they were 
happy to find him always with z book ia 
his -hand. He began his education at Ri- 
rhini, and acquired the Latin language fo 
loon, thaj at twelve years of age he had . 
an opportunity of addrefling a compliment 
to the Bifhop of Rimini in that language, 
who was fo ftruck with it, that he foretold 
Ganganelli would one day be of great fer- 
vice to the caufe of Religion. 

At the age of eighteen he left Rimini, 
to commence Ws Noviciate in the Order of 

St. 



CLEMENT- XIV. iif 

St. Fraticis, at Utbino, at which time he 
took the name of Francis Laurencfy and 
very foon acquired as much credit in the 
Cloifter^ as ne had formerly done at 
School 

He then ftudied Philofophy and Theo- 
logy at Pefaro, Recanati^ Fano, and Rome ; 
and from beiftg a idtioht very foon became 
a maftcr, and taught the opinions of Sco- 
tus, '«^ithout bdfig a ikviOt adherent to all 
biis dogmas!. He was much belored by his 
pupilsj while he taught Philofophy and 
Theology, at Afcoli, Bologna, and Milan ; 
and at the age of.?lhirty-fivfe Was called to 
Rome fiy His Superter; to teach Thfcology 
in the Coltegd of Stl Bonaveritura. 

Thbugh every town in Italy had fome 
men of genius who owed their inftrudtion 
to Gaiigafrifelli, ' he wiflied to remain im^- 
mured in his Clbifter ; but his talents could 
rtot be concealiedj artd he hiuft foon have 
rifen to be General of his Order^ if he had 
riot affiduotifly prevented his Brethren frcwn 
giving thtir voices in his favour ; though, 
at the fame time, their implicit confidence 
in him was fuch, that he generally obtain- 
ed their votes for whomfoever he thought 
the moft capable : and Father Colombini 
declared, that he owed the honour of be- 
ing General to the recommendation of 
Ganganelli. 

Familiar converfation, amufing books, 
and folitary walks, were l\vs >\C\\a\ x^Vvk*^- 
B z \.v^vc^^ 



,V ANECDOTES QFGANGANELLU 
tions, wheo, he found htn^fcif exbaufted by 
intenfe ftu4iei^- .Aa if merit ajpne was. not 
afuSkienc titjle to the admkation of co- 
temporaries. Sijad pofterity, (pfnetbipg mar- 
vellous muft be introduced into the qbaj:ac- 
ters of gr^t men ; and iu: fuchia country 
asltajy,. itis wt.furprifixig. that thcpro- 
ph^py of a Friar (hould giain credit^, who 
k (aid to have come to Ganganelli d^ri!r>g 
qne^of hjis fcJittiry.waU^'and; falling at Jbis 
teet, to h%ve hc^ed hia benedifUon, as he 
fwfifaw that: he iWpirid one day be pope ; 
teliing him^ ^at the., lame tkne» , that be 
woijld die a; ywlent dearth. 

TbQwgh GanganelU waa mudi of a Re* 
clufe, he .was.vjlrt^d in his Cell by the mpft 
emiufsnt for. rank ;and leaming.f .andfimi* 
la^ty of.genivis recomnncnde(r.him to ,tbe 
ag^eeat}ie Umiberdni GS^ngdift'.XIV.) who 
appoint^ him. one of .the, Council of the 
Hpjy: Q&cc^ obferying^ tbaf be joined an 
amazing memory to exttnjive learmng \ 4nd 
vibat is mx^e [agreeaide^ added \itj,be.is a 
tjmfand times .more ^inodeft than the, mqfi igno^ 
rant J and jo cbearfuli^tbat it could not hejup- 
pojed that be bad ever lived in retirement. 

One day when Ganganelli was going to 
Aflifio, where the founder of his Order 
was born and buried^ he joined a Country- 
man upon the road. . After an hour's con- 
verfation, the Peafant, who had been very 
attentive, faid, It is a pity tbat you are only a 
Lay-lrotber (judging from the negligence 



CLEMENT XIV. v 
of his dreffr f^^ ^^ appears to tHey that if 
^pu hddftudiedj yM might have 'b$m oHofber 
Sixtus ^intus. I have his piUure at bme^ 
^mdltbtrdtym havejnft his fly look. 

The Italians have the ftoiy of Siiftus 
^ititus fo ftrongly imprinted Upon thdr 
ihinds, that cv^n the country ptople ai^ al- 
ways talking df him, and inftilling into the 
minds cf their chiidFen the hopes of bdtig 
Pope, becatife Si!Ktas Quimus was elevated 
frbiii the meaneft condition to b^ Sovereign 
Pontiff. 

It was high time that Honours (hould 
cotnd in queft cf Ganganelli, who had a1^ 
ways fo folicitoufty avoided, that a kind of 
compulfion was neceffary to make him ac- 
cept them. The appretiators of true merit 
being willing to do credit to the Sadred 
Collegp, recommended him to Clertieiic 
XIM. by telling him, that Ganganelli was 
moJUntniMei learned^ and diligent ^ and tb^ 
it wmild be doing b&iiour to the Purple to make 
him Cdrdindl. 

The Sbvereigh Pbntiff was eafily f>re- 
yaHed upon. Befkles its being agreeabte 
to have wortJiy people recommended to 
hirii, he knfew the merits of the Cdiinfel- 
ior of the Holy OfBoe, both frorti his own 
ttofer^itioh, ^itd the attention of has pre- 
cfeceflc* Beriedia XtV. 

Cardinal Ri?ttctoic6i the Pope^s Nephevt^, 

fent ifcimediately to the Gohvcnt of the 

B^ Holy 



Yi ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
Holy Appftles . for Ganganelliy i that ' ■ he 
might, aanounce the intentions . of ibe 
Pope. . * . I . ; / 

* After having aiked him, . if he was^conip 
fcious to himfelf that he had difcharged his 
duty properly, and had nothing to re* 
preach himfelf with, ;he proceeded to tell 
him, in a manner . fi^Hicijent to intimidate 
•him, ^Vthat a number 'of things had beea 
** jfaid.of him to the Holy Father; — that 
** from the dread of his being too much 
** affefted with it, he hefitated to inform 
** him of the orders of his Holinefs ; but 
**:iie could not help letting him know, that 
'**. it was the Pope's pjleafore, that he ihould 
*^ abfolutely — ye^ abfolutely — be made 
"Cardinal." 

- Ganganelli was thunderftruck at the un- 
ivelling of the fufpence he was thrown 
ito by the manner of the Cardinal, . who 
oade him imagine, at firil, that fomebody 
liad prepoflefied . his Holinefs againfb him ; 
and falling at his feet, faid, U is no nffef^ 
tation of bmnility^but^a perfe£l convicim of 
my ov>n unwortbinefs^ which engages me to 
declare to^ you^ ihat J by no means de/erve ibis 
honour. I froteft tn youj tpat this promoiion 
will do no credit to ^ bis Halin^^, and will 
rai/e envy^' which muft difturb my quiet. If 
the Pope wijhes to dignify ofifOrdt^ with the 
Purple^ there are more than ten perjons in our 
Houfe^ who J in every refpea^ are more dejer^ 
ving of this Jingulaf favour. 

The 



CLEMENT- XIV. vi; 

The- Cardinal replied, tliat hisHolinefs 
having forefeen his unwillingnefs, had po- 
sitively ordered him to fubmit, under pain 
of difobedience< Ganganelli could no 
longer refuie, and went trembling to ac- 
quaint the Brotherhood with the news. 
His HoUmfSj fays he, bos appointed me a 
Cardinaiy but do not you ftartle at this new 
dignity. I will continue always to live with 
youy likii one of you, always as your friend 
andfervant, norjball you ever perceive thai 
Ibave changed my condition^ • 

It was on the 24th of Sept. 1759, that 
he became a Member of the Sacred Col- 
lie ^ and though he employed the twenty 
thoufand livres given yearly by the Pope 
to the Cardinals of the Religious Orders to 
fupport the rank, yet he was neither lefs 
poor nor \e& modeft than he had been for- 
merly, and kept his word with his Brotherr 
hood mod (leadilj^ If he quitted his Cell 
to take an apartment in the firfi: Dormitcb* 
ry, it was becaufe-he was often obliged to 
receive vifits of ceremony.. Ah Englifti 
Peer, who frequently vifited him, ufed to 
fay, / cannot find the CardinaLGanganelli % 
J find him only a Friar ^ filled with bumiUty^ 

It is faid, that a General of one of tho 
Religious Orders, having been to vifit him, 
left a bill upon his table for four thoufand 
Roman crowns payable at fight; he imme- 
diately fent it after him, declaring pofitive- 
ly, that he knew no other riches but po- 
B 4^ vert^ u 



vni ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
ircrty: befides, it would lay him ufidet 
obligations, aiid he was unwiiUng to con- 
trad any new engagements. 

His learning and knowledge were faf 
from being limited. He did riotconfiiie 
his ftudies to Theology and Ac Qmon Lawj 
but was well acquainted with the belles* 
lettres, politics, and found philofophy, aiid 
even found inftrudion in his Very iuntife- 
ments. 

Neither the clolenefs of hts retirement, 
nor the afliduity of his application, ntiade 
any impreffion upon the natural gaiety of 
Ganganelli. Every mattj fays he, has Jtme 
veaUh wbicb is bis natural inberitanccy md 
wine is cbearfulnefs\ wbicb is the onlypatfi' 
mony my parents left me^ hut nvbicb fvahit 
'more than all the treafures of tbis world. 

He had a great love for foreigners, moi^ 
particularly for the French, and ufed fre- 
quently to repeat whh pleafiire an incident 
which happened while he was a Friar at 
'Bolc^na. He met in his Cloifter an agree- 
alyle young petit-maitrejuft come from Ly- 
ons, who faid to him, // is only for want cf 
^fometbing to do^ Fatber^ tbat I am walking 
"bercy for I canH endure tbe Monks. Perbaps^ 
jir^ rtplied Ganganelli, you may like tbem 
better in tbe Refe£lory\ and iffo^ I intreat 
you to come and take Jome refreftment. He 
accepted the offer, and they entered into 
a converfation, with which the young man 

was 



: ; e V E M E N T «IV.- k 
was fo: pleafed, Uiat he remained tifv'o 
nipnthsat Bologna, Only .for thcpkafiMe 
of feeing .Gangaobll^, and by Us perfuafi- 
on returned to bis friends^ from whom he 
had run av/ay^ and by whom he was ten- 
derly bdovedw Gangatfelli (umtihed huto 
likewife with money for his jt>arney% and 
^did Mm ail the offices of a iresd friend. 

Kotwithftandmg the fti'ength of genius 
and uncommon ^gpoid qualities of Ganga** 
nelli, attrai5ted almoft univ^&l bammage^ 
yet thefe was no room to imaging, that he 
^ver would be chofen Pope. . Befides the 
.fireedoth with which he had given his opir 
nion with r^rd to fome proceedings oC 
the Court of Rome, which did not gain 
him the good-will of the Giirdinals, he had 
given advice fo oppofite to the fentiments 
of the Pontiff and his Secretary of State^ 
on the fubje£t of Parma and the aSair of 
the Jefuits, that he was no longer confult* 
ed. Clement XIII. was very well difpofed^ 
but he had the misfortune to lofe his Secre- 
tary of State, and to choofe a fucceflor 
who was too much the declared friend of 
the Jefuits; and tliis vei^ foon produced 
fbmedifagreeable confequences. Portugal 
redoubled her complaints, and the affair d£ 
Parma completed the mifchief; the King; 
of France feized Avignon, and the Kang 
of Naples Bencvento. 

Ganganelli was tenified at the ilorm 
which was gathering on all fides, and faw 
B5 ^&& 



X ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
the depth of the tomb that was to bury 
the Roman glory<,' if no endeavours were 
ufed to calm the tage of^ or if they perfif- 
tedi in oppofio^ the Kings. : 

Clement XIII. fecKng hanfelf prdTed by 
the Houfes of Bourbon and Braganza^ 
who earneftly infilled on the fuppreflion of 
the Jefuits, at laft appointed a meeting of 
the Confiftory, that he might acquaint them 
with the neceflity of fiibmitting to the of* 
fended Kings ; but the preceding night, on 
the 5d of February, he unexpettedJy died. 
His death, which ftruek his party with dif- 
limy, proved a confolation to the Romians^ 
who were chagrined at the lofe of Avignon 
and Beftevenio, and,; feeing the rage of 
the powerful Sovereigns ready to burft- up- 
on their heads, llad no hopes but in a new 
reigri. ■ The death of every Pops occafi- 
. ons matter both of }oy and forrow. 
^ i The meeting of the Conclave in fuch a 
^rrt'icai fituation, v^as like a clouded fky,. 
w" r-ather aterapeft^ The Cardinalsv met;, 
bimoftall of thehi, however, were of dif- 
ferent opinioris. Some were for chufing a 
PontifFwhowould ftruggle againft the pow- 
er of the Kings ^ while others were equally 
^efirous of elefting one that would prove 
agreeable to them r both parties difputed 
N^ith- great' zeaL 

The choice of a Pope is always a work 
of labour, on account of the number of 
■••';..• . voices 



CLEMENT XrV^ xj 

voices neccflary to determine the Eleftiori. 
The Sacred College is commonly compofed 
of three parties ^ the Pious, the Pojiti^, 
and the Indifferent. The firft contend 
obftinately for ele(!iting him whom they be- 
lieve to be the moit dcferving -, the fecond 
are determined by their interefts, or the 
influence o£ the crowned heads; while the 
third are blown about by every wind ; 
which gave rife to the true faying, That be 
who goes Pope inlo the Conclave^ always comes 
mit a Cardinal. 

Ganganelli was unconnected with any 
Party, and almoft fingle, when he was 
afked by fome of the Cardinals if he chofe 
to be Pope: As you are too few to nominate 
mey anfwered he, and too many to know my 
fecret^ you Jball know nothing. 

The Emperor was at this time in Rome, 
and vifited the Conclave^ but did not {peak 
a word in favour of Ganganelli, , nor even 
fufpedl that he would be eledt^d. Ado- 
niihed only at feeing him in a black habit, 
he took him only for a Friar ; when Gan- 
g-^nelli in alow voice faid. He is a Religious 
of the Order of Saint Francis^ and wears the 
livery of poverty. 

Pafquinades, which have always been in 
ufe at Rome, and more particularly during 
the fittings of the Conclave, were at this 
time multiplied on all* fides. As they ge- 
nerally declare the prevailing opinions, it 
nciaynot-be amifsta take notice of fome 

which 



1 



xS ANECDOTES OP GANGANELLI» 
which chra£terifed Ganganellli. One m 
Latin applied to him thefe words of the 
I i8th Pfalm, Super docentes me inieUexi ; ^ I 
** know more than my inftrudtors.** Ano- 
ther in Italian rej^efented him as having 
leeth to bite, and a good nofe to finell : 

A ientipermorjicare^ 
E bum nazQ per /entire. 

Thefe were the nK>re flattering^ as fa* 
tires .at th^t time fpare nobody. Son^ of 
jl^ Cardinals were reprefented as not be* 
ing able to fpeak, — Ab nefcio Jwjui^ and 
others as only having a human form — Ani^ 
^fVg^JibAens facipn hminis^ &c. &c. 
.•The Conclave lafted three months and 
fgme.di^ys, and became tumultous from 
the difficulties which occurred in nomina- 
ting a Pontiflf* The Jefuits had a number 
qf Caidinals who were attached to them 
and' dreaded' tl;ie fuppreflfion of their order ; 
while their opinions were counterbalanced 
by Qthers^ who found means to unite the 
^pfeof politics with religion, . to fupport 
^he rights of the Holy See, and yield at 
the fame time to the defires of the Sove-^ 
reign Princes. ,.-1^1 

The Cardinals attached to the Houfe of 
Bourbon knew, thattho* Ganganelli had 
no hatred againft the Jefuits, he never cul- 
tivated their friendftiip ; that while Profef- 
for 9f Thcolo^ he had frequently com- 
bated 



CLE ME NT XIV. xfii 
bated thdr opinions, am) explained him- 
felf opeiily upon the neceffity of coming 
to an agreement with tilt Kings i ^nd that 
he thought, whenever iany relfgioua C^- 
der became obnoxious to the Catholic Pow* 
ers, it ought to be fupprefled. Befides this, 
there was a Friar with whom he had fre- 
quently correfponded upon the tranfadtions 
of Clement XIII. who thought that it wag 
for the intereft of the Church to acquaint 
the French Mnifter with this correfpon* 
dence. His manner of thinking, there- 
fore, being found totally different from 
the late fyuem, and it appearing extremely 
. probable that he would lecond the views of 
the Houfe of Bourbon, Louis XV. Mve 
pofitive orders to Cardinal de Bernis to 
Jupport the cledHon of Ganganelli. Dc 
Bernis, a man of great abilities, having 
drawn off Cardinal Rezzontco and his par- 
ty to the fide of France and Spain, gain- 
ed an important viAory, inafmuch as it 
decided the eleftion in favour of Ganga- 
nelli, and feated in the Chair of St. Peter 
the man that was moft worthy to fill it. 
Thus of old did the eloquence of Aaron 
frequently ferve to accomplifh the defigns 
of God, 

We may judge from this fimple narra- 

»tive of fafts, whether there could be any 

foundation for the contemptible fatires 

which faid that Clement XIV. obtained 

the Triple Crown on condition that he 

>KQUld 



XIV ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
woi;ild fupprefsthe Order of Jefuita. Gan- 
ganelli defpifed honours too much, and his 
confcience was too delicate, to fubmit to- 
fuch conditions. But the fate of the great- 
e;ft men is to have two chara<5ters : while 
they are extolled by fomc, they are de* 
famed by others. 

On the 1 9th May, 1769, the Sacred Col- 
lege, finding that GangahcUi would be 
agreeable to the Kings, and knowing him 
to be both learned and virtuous, proclaim?- 
ed him Sovereign Pontiff. He was then 
feen to appear Uke a rainbow in the Hea- 
vens, iiTuing from a thick cloud to an- 
nounce the return of fijie weather. He 
was defirous to have taken the name of 
Sixfus VI. but in gratitude to Clement 
XIII. who had made him Cardinal, he took 
the n^me of Clement according to aaold 
eftabiifhed cuftom. 

He was fo litik dazzled with his promo- 
tion, that next morning he could fcarcely 
be awaked ; for,,mDft unlike an ambitious 
man, he had never flept more founds 
Wlicn the cereinohy of the adoration was 
oyer^ he was alked, if he was tired ? and 
replied in his ufual humble, natural man- 
nei", 'That be had never feen that ceremony 
more at bis eafe ^ particularly as be recoUeBed 
how be bad beenfqueezed on a fimilar occafion^ 
when be was only aftmple Friar. 

It is incredible how the people rejoiced 
when they were informed of his being cho- 

fen. 
i 



• C L E M E N T XIV. %r 

fen. Nothing but ihouts. of joy were 
heard ; and as a Venetian lady wrote to 
her friends^ ** the world was tranfported 
*'. ; with joy, as if the Goklen Age. was to 
**.freturn/* But alasl it was only the 
dawn of a fine day, which was to end 
with the morning* 

He was defired to fend a Courier to in- 
fotm his fillers of his promotion ; but he 
was content to write by the poft,. faying 
they were not ufedto receive ambai- 
iadors. 

No Pope was ever eledted in more tem^ 
peiluous times. Portugal was about to 
xhoofe a Patriarch, and lay afide all com- 
munications with the Pope V and the Kings 
of France, Spain, and Naples,, threatened 
totak^ feme ftcps fatal to the Court of 
Rome. Venice propofed to reform their 
Religious Communities without paying any 
attention to the Holy See. Poland want- 
ed to diminilh the privileges of the Nuncio, 
and to check the papal power ; while the 
Romans themfelves murmured at feeing 
their poffeflions fall into the hands of ftran- 
gers. And to complete all thefe misfor- 
tunes, a madnefs was fpreading far and 
wide, which attacked Kings and Pontiffs, 
and even God himfelf, by ranking Chrif- 
tianity in the fame clafs with fuperftitioua 
chimeras. What a profped for the Head 
of the Church! 

Clement 



xvi AT^ECDOTES OP GANGAN^LLF, 

Clement XIV. began his Tfeign by tfd^ 
dirdfiiij^ vows to Heaveii for the neceOitiei 
of the Church and State ; ahd, in th^ ntet 
^^ace, by writing to the different Monartte^ 
to ftiew his pacific difpofiidon. He ftp- 
)>binted Cardinal Palavitini to be his Se- 
cretary of State^ as a Mihifter agreeable 
to the Kings ; but with an ihtention to 
'govern by hirhfelf, and to preserve his in- 
tentions in inviolable (ecrecy from the whole 
world. 

The affair of the Jefints was urged daily 
hy the different Princes and their Ambaf- 
'fiidors; but fuch was the nioderate ffMrlt 
of Ganj^anelli, whofe love of juftice ntSade 
him weigh every grievance with the mi- 
nuteft attention before he wduld decidcf, 
that four years were employed in the cxa* 
mination. 

Like an indulgent parent, he took the 
firft fteps to lead to an accommodation with 
•Portugal, and fucceeded in re-eftabli(hing 
the ancient friendfhip which had fubfifted 
between the two Courts. 

Fie was crowned in St. Peter's the 4th 
"of jfime 1769, amidft the loudeft accla- 
mations ; and on the 26 ch of November 
following, he took poffeffioh of Saint John 
de Lateran, with all the magnificence which 
lifually accompanies that pompous cere- 
rtibny. 

His love of peace, and his foUicitude to 
5cco/i3modate matters with thc^ offended 



J). 



CLEMENT XIV. STii 
Kiogjs, made hiovcxpfiit feme ceremonies at 
a tkne when they wexe (p[])e£ted with their 
niiial eclat ; and as, tlu& was the effiaft of 
bis own Authority, wjtl^iit any ptesnckm 
confultation^ the Caidinak concluded, that 
be was. not to be led, nor even bis inten* 
^^ns to be divioed. : . .. 
' Though he was happy in his native ^mr* 
plicity of manners, . Ganganelli knew 
when to aflume the manners of a Sovereign 
Pontiff,, and haw to difplay the auguft 
chara£ter with the. greateft dignity ^ as was 
(een when the Duke of Gkucefter vifited 
Rome. Indeed, ftrangecs of every coun^* 
try and every rank niet with .the moft en- 
gaging reception, and were all anxious to 
^ a dBiciple of Saint Francis who had been 
preferred to the Roman Princes^ and tbs 
K>ns of King^, in an age moft unfavoura* 
bte to his profeflion, \ 

That he might neither be betrayed, nor 
have his intentions difcovered, he treated 
with the Kings himfelf ; and by his atten* 
tion to the wants of the peopk, guarded 
againft the evils by which the £ccleiiaftical 
^te had been diftrefied in the time of Ms 
predeceiTor, frbin the viHany of monopo* 
Uzers, who had Jent the provifions to Ve* 
nice wHeh (hotdd have fupplied theRo« 
mans. 

The Cardinal^ murmured ttt his want of 
confidence ^ but he (aid, Thai a Sovereign 
'wbotkUa number of^onfidanis^ was itifaUiblj 



xviS ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
vernedj and often betrayed j— / fleep fmmd 
wbenmyfecret is my own. 

His manner of Uving was as abftemious 
when he was Pope, as. it had been while 
he was Friar at the Convent of the Holy 
Apoftles. When he was told that the Pa- 
pal Dignity required a more fumptuous tah- - 
bfey he anfwered, That neither St, Peter nor 
St. Francis bad taught him to dine fplendidJy ; 
and when the head cook of the Kitchen 
came to beg that he might be continued ; 
he faid to him, Tou Jball not lofe your ap^ 
pointment^ but /' will not lofe 'my health ta 
keep your hand in^ 

He was reproached with bcir^ toa iw 
dnlgent in granting Briefs of Seculariza- 
tion ; but 1^ conudered a difcontehrted 
Monk as a perpetual difgrace to the com- 
munity. The greatcft- fetisfedlion he de- 
rived from his bein^ appointed Cardinal^ 
was the power of fbiaaetimes affifting his 
neighbour; and he never went abroad 
without giving fome inftances of his libe- 
rality, which were always accompanied 
with the moft pleafing language. 

A proof of his having the refolution, if 
he had not the feverity of Sixtus Quintus^ 
was his arrefting the Marquifs of ■ for 
having, given thie Count of — — a box 
on the ear in public, and fending him in- 
ftantfy to the Caftle of Angeki^ to renaain 
there for feveii years. Yet no nqtan Ihewed 
greater fenfibility than he did when he 
■ was 



C ;L E M E N T XIV. xix 
was i^forjr73e4o(.a,.<:i|]iMhal being fe^ 
to die,: • '. . i.i • 

He.^ifyMtfigtd every kind of fUttery, 
and no man was^eafier with bis friends; He 
wq^kl dUpute with; the learned, talk poli- 
tics:^ with the politician, converfe with the 
fpr^^ig^^ns^ and befodable with his brethrea 
of; St^ Francis. One evening be faid, I 
have bfm, a Prnu€ and a Pope all d^. Tbaf 
Ink^npf be quite ffSicatid^ I nat/l bf Father 
Qang^neiU agaiu.'-'^Cmey let us cbat as 104 
v^ed.to do. 

.,: To the little artifices pra<5li(ed by nar- 
rqw minds to obtain their ends, he was a 
ijtranger. TJiough peculiarly calculated for 
a Cojort, which is accufed of being the ve- 
ry vortex of intrigue and. chicane, he ne- 
ver deceived the Politicians, but by re- 
maining filent; for when he fpoke ho, ut- 
tered the trath, He was too upright a 
fxian to a£t by finifter means, and had in- 
deed, tpo great a genius to (Und in need 
of them. 

No.one knew better when to feize the 
proper moment, when he was neither flow 
nor precipitate. " Thjc hour is not pome^* 
he \fopld fty,:whenhe was folicited tohaC- 
ten ibme operation. He wrpt^ to Qardinal 
jStpppaniji - 1 ,™ftrnft:; my vivacity, and 
*^ jthereforei (hall niot anifwer.till the end of 
** a week, cpnoerning what ypur Eminency 
*' requires oJF me. Our imagination i» often 
" our greateft enemy; I am driving to 



n ANECDOTES OP GANGANELLI, 
^ weary mine before I a£t. Bufitioft, Hkk 
** fruit, hath its time of maturity, acid^ we 
^ Ihould never think of difpatehitig^ it, 
^* when it is only half ripe.'' 

His manner of reading reiembled Un p* 
tfaer operations; he abftaiiied from bocrioaii 
if he found himfelf difpofed to refledfc \ an4 
as Sovereigns are led by circumftance^ 
firom whence we may conclude that aU men 
)are born dependent, he often kjept vigils 
great part ot the night, and ilept in the 
day-time, ** Their Rule, he ufed to fay, 
*• IS the compafs of Monks and Friars; 
^^ but the wants of their people is the cldclt 
•* of fovereigns : be it what hour it may, 
/* if they want us, we muft attend tfcem,** 
in bujfola di fraii i la lf3fd regola^ ma il W* 
fc^m delpapoh h Voroligio drifovrani^ 

This maxim, when he was Pope, ofteh 
tore him from his books. He then read 
only to edify, or to relax from bi^neffi. 
He was of opinion, that all the books Jh 
^ ^^ the world might be reduced to fix tlKHita^ 
' ^ ' volumes in f^o, and tteii thofe of die pre- 
fent age were nothing but paiiifings, which 
daubed had found mt art of cleaning, ih 
order to prefent diem in die propereftlnght 
to public view. 

It is to be lamented thait he produced wv- 
thing in the literary way^ thdiigh fonie 
bftve afcribed to him p^rt of die works g^ 
Benedia XIV. We (houUlhCve foiiiid in 

- His 



CLEMENT jOV. ni 
hf» writings the pfaiegpi of the Germanfl^ 
blended with die yivadty of the Itafians : 
but he was So thoroug^y perfmded that 
l^b^ was too cQwy wjiters, that he wan 
always Fearful of increafing . th^ ntunber. 
He jjaid but day, i&niiing, f* Who , knowtf 
•• whether Bxcj^tbef;FjrBiic^ may not one 
^^ day take it i^tohis ixid t^ write? i iho\M 
^* not hep the Jeaft icUtoqiihed to fee feme 
^* Work m his manner; but &irely it wili 
^ not be an hiflory of my ragouts, or the 
*' hook muft be very concifei" 

Wh^n any one mentioned to him the 
fitifaionable produ^oos that aj^peared a- 
gaiiifl: Chriftianity, he would 6y, ** The 
** more thepe are, the moje the ^orld will 
^* beixm»incedrftheneceflitypfit/* He 
ohferved, " That all the Writers who c^ 
** fx^ed Chriftianity, knew only how to dig 
** a ditch, a:nd that was all they could fup- 
« ply its place with/* He fcid, « That 
J-** Mr. Voltaire, whpfe poetry he admired, 
^^ attacked Religion fo often, only becaufe 
** it was troublefbme to him i and that J. 
** J. Rcmfleau was a painter, who always 
" forgot the heads, and who excelled only 
•* in the drapery/* 

He explained himfelf one day upon a 
Work called ?& S}/lem of Nature^ and ad- 
ded, ** What^urts me is, that the more it 
•* is foundedjfapon falfe principles, the more, 
** in an age ike ours, it will gain reputati- 
^ on and readers ^ and it will receive an ad- 



xxii ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
^* ditibnal value by its" being TeribtiflY 
^* refiited." He afterwards obferved, 
*^ that the Author of this "bad Book is 
** a madman, who imagines, that by 
'-^ changing the matter of the- hi^xxk^ 
^ he can difpofe of it juft as he pleales, 
** without refledWng, that no creatures can 
^•breathe but by exifting in God : tirip/o 
^'vmtnus^ tnovemur (S 'fiimus. ''But evcfy 
^* a;ge is diftinguilhed by a new-flihgled 
^' mode of thinking. ' After the^ttmes ot 
** fuperftition, are come the days of ihfide- 
^* lity; and the man who formerly adigired. 
** a multitude of 'gods, n6*r: am£ts n^t 
•• to acknowledge any one. Virttie, 4i6c, 
" immortality, anniMlmiort, ■ all ibpear jtb 
** him fynonimouBternns, provided ibraeMlj 
** Pamphlet ferves him as Jt ramparii ftgainu 
*• Heaven ; and it is in the^very bpforii :of 
*^ Religion that thefe fcandalous' opinions 
" originate and multiply. Whilft lt*li- 
'* gion was perfecuted by the Pagani^,- a 
" Pope had at lead the glory and the 
^' good fortune to defend it at the price 
"of his blood; but now that he cannot 
'' fly to martyrdom, he is unfortunately 
'* compelled to be the forrowful witnefe of 
" error and impiety. 

' Thefe excellent refleftions he made in 
the prefehce of a Commander of Malta, 
from whom the Author had them, and 
who afliired him, that the Pope was ever 
ready to facrifice himfelf for the good of 



CLEMENT XIV. xzlii 
Relidon, and the, iuterelt of the Church, 
conudering his Jife as no objed when thefe 
. were called in queftion. 
. ' It was folely ifor the glory of the Church 
thjSLt he from time to time created feveral 
Cardinals,, without paying any attention to 
their private connections. 

Their infticution, w hich commenced in 
the ninth century, had no other objeft - 
than the benefit and -honour of Religion. 
They conftitute the Council of the Sove- 
jreign Pontiffs, when they have occafion 
jfbr ad vice i aud^ there were at all times 
amongft them.pejrfons of eminence, whofe 
zej^l, ^dded to their kuowtedge, proved 
of infinite ufe to the Church and State. 
Some carrie4 their i^puurage and their faith 
to the. extremities of the worlds others 
with jthe approbation of Princes, gpverned 
with wi(Uom the mofl: flouri(hing Empires. 
The latell pofterity will remember with ad- 
miration, jhe Amboifes, Ximenes, Riche- 
lieu^ and Fleurys, and confider them as 
thebulwarl^s of thofe kingdoms where they 
a6ted as Mnifters. 

If Clement XIV. did not make any com- 
plete promotion of Cardinals during his 
Pontificate, it is to be fuppofed that he was 
reftrained by oth^r powers, or that he was 
pu?zled to feleft proper fubjedts. He 
might probably rather choofe to come to 
no determination, than to difpleafe any of 
his old fr;iends, who flattered themfelves 



^dt ANECDOTES OF GANGAN£LLf/ 
With the hopes of obttining the Pitfple, 
iind neveithefefi might not be worthy ot it; 
The good qualities becdTary m friradQiips 
are aot fiifiicient for arGardinaL It is a dig* 
nity: that has too mudi influence upon tne 
Onirch to be beftowed at random. 

To judge proi>erly of the genius of C3e^ 
merit, Wemoutd^ view him with (bme friend^ 
and pardci)Iarly tbe Cardinal de Berhis^ 
(yhiHe difietent periods of life feem to have 
been diftincuilhed by the mofl: flattering 
ejpocfaaff, and the moft delicate works of go> 
ttiiis) conferring upk>n the'f\ft>je£ts of the 
times, and the means of ifeconcilinK the 
intereft of Religion with thofe bf the 
Prinoes. When the greateft lights had be^n 
thrown by thefe l^ Cbunfellcm u{>on the 
fubjeA in debate, Gan^nelli, asthe ^f¥- 
mum mobile of their deliberations, decided 
with manly refolutiom The flighted error 
would have been of the moft dangerous 
consequence. The chief point in^ queftion 
was to weigh the rights of the Sovereign 
Pontiff, the motives upon which he adted, 
and to keep within the bounds that fup* 
port the equilibrium between the Holy Fa- 
ther and the other Potentates. 

The more arduous and difficult are the func- 
tions of a Pope, the riioreheftands in need 
of repofe to enable him to fuftain his laboiusu 
Caftlegandolfo, built by the Chevalier Ber- 
nini, four leagues from Rome, near the Lake 
Albano, which commands the moft agree- 



■'' C L E M EN T XIV. »r 
able profpcdtsj is the ufual fummer refi- 
dehce of the Sovereign Pontiffs. 
^ Clement failed not to repair thither in 
the months of May and Odober, the moft 
proper feafons in Italy to enjoy the plea* 
lures of the country ; and it was here, to 
be intimately acquainted with him, wc 
Ihould view him anatomizing an infedl, an- 
alyzing a flower, purfuing the phsenome- 
ria of nature, by degrees rifmg up to her 
Author, and at length talking a general 
view of Earth and Heaven : or, retiring 
within himfelf by private meditation ; or, 
at other times, familiarly converfing with 
his friends and intimates. 

His imagination was raifed at the fight 
of thofe beauties that jprefent themfelves in. 
the neighbourhood of^Rome to the recol- 
ledlion of the antient Romans, who had 
fo boldly trampled upon the foih he re- 
called to his memory the mofl fublime and 
ingenious paflTages of the ancient Poets up- 
onthe OGcafion. ' There are few Italians of 
any education, who are unacquainted with 
4he Works of Ariofto, Dante, TaflTo, Pe- 
trarch, and Metaftaiio ; even the women 
amufe themfelves with the perufal of thefc 
Poets, and can quote them occafionally. 

His Philofophy ferved his imaginatioii 
as an excellent fecond ; it recalled to his 
. memory ^he different fituations of his life ; 
at one time in a flate of obfcure tranquil- 
lity, then forcibly agitated \wth&^^x^^ 
Vol. I C ^vs^\^;:^* 



xxvi ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI. 
dignity : like a pilot, who, after a calmfe- 
rene morning, in the evening finds him^ 
felf in a violent hurricane, accompanied 
with thunder, hail, and rain. 

Sometimes, weary of meditation, he 
would retire with an old Convent Friend, 
Brother Francis, into fome private arbouj 
where they could not be feen. There Ibme 
Cloyfter anecdotes amufed them, and they 
feemed in a perfedt ftate of equality. One 
day, Clement pointing to him, repeated 
thefe words : " He has kept his habit, and 
" is happier than I am, who wear the Tia- 
" ra. It was decreed I fhould be a Pope, 
** and I very much fear (here he paufed)— 
" however, we muft fubmit to the will of 
/^ God/' 

He was once entertaining himfelf in this 
manner, when fome Amba&dors were an- 
nounced to him. They found him as fe- 
rene and compofed as if nothing agitated 
his mind ; but he could not help laughing 
in his fleeve at the perplexities he excited 
'in the curious. 

While he was at Caftlegandolfo, on 
giving a fplendid repaft to fome Grandees 
of Spain, he laid afide his Sovereign au- 
thority, and joined them in a friendly man*- 
ner when feated at table, without fufFer- 
ing them to rife to falute him. 
. The Public imagined he had loft fight 
of the grand affair of the Tefuits, whilft, 
according to the cuftosu ot xh^Cowxx.^^ 



CLEMENT XIV. xxvii 

Rome, he only fought ta gain time. He 
fometimes fearched the archives of the Pro- 
paganda^ te confult the Memoirs of Car- 
dinal de Tournon, of M. Maigrot, of La 
Beaum6, and of the Jefuit Miflionaries. At 
'other times he had read to him the accufa- 
tions of the Society, and their vindications. 
Every important publication, pro or con^ 
refpefting the Jefuits, he attentively exa- 
mined ; whilft equally diftrufting the eu- 
logiums and the farcafms paflTed upon them, 
he was biaffed neither by their Panegyrifts 
nor their Satirifts. No man was ever more 
impartial Equally abftrading himfelf from 
his own inclinations as well as all prejudi- 
ces, he judged in the fame manner upon 
the occafion, as pofterity neceflarily muft. 
" Let me (faid he to the Sovereigns, who 
" prefled him to determine) have leifure 
^' to examine the important bufinefs upon 
'^ which I am to pronounce. I am the com- 
'' mon Fatherof the Faithful, particularly of 
" the Religious j and I cannot deftroy a * 
'' celebrated Order, without having hav* 
" ing fufficient reafons tojuftify mein the 
^^ eyes of all ages, and, above all, before 
;« God" 

The people, ever idolizing him, ceafed 
not to blefs his reign; and their per feve- 
rance in doing fo, conftitutes his greateft 
eulogium. It is well known that the Ro- 
mans eafily change from enthufiafm to ha- 
tred • that they have often calumniated 
C Z *^^^ 



xxvlii ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI. 
thofe Pontiffs whom they have flattered tVi^ 
moft ; and that a Pope, to pleafe theriT, 
.fhould not -reign above three years, IX7/ 
:happy, on account of their lazinefs, ihcy 
conftantly hope, that a change of mafteis 
jnuft be attended with an increafe of hap- 
pinefs-; juft as fick men are apt to fancy 
that they ihall be much eafier when they 
are placed in another pofture. 

The glory of Clement would not Tiavc 
teen con>plete, if he had not contributed 
;to the embellilhment of Rome, a city fo 
fufceptible of ornaments, and fo fertile in 
.riches proper to decorate it. Willing, 
therefor^, to purfue the paths pf Sixtus V. 
Paul V. and Benedidl XIV. he conrpofed ^ 
.Mufeiun, comprizing every thing that 
could gratify the curioiity of Antiquaries 
and Travellers ; that is to fay, of the fcarc- 
cft curiofities that have been tranfmitted by 
the Ancients. 

It might be faid, on this occafion, that 
Home, defirous of honouring his Pontifi- 
cate, was eager to difplay themafter-pieces 
of art which lay concealed within her bow- 
els. Scarce a year paifed without vafes, 
urns, ftatues of exquifite workmanlhip be- 
ii\g dug \ip, to enrich the fuperb coUedtion 
begun under LambertinL Here, with the 
glance of an eye, we may fee the triumph 
of the Chriftian Religion, by the fragments 
that were ufed in the Pagan facrifices, and 
the rains of all thofe prophane divinities. 



CLEMENT XIV. xxix 
whofe ftatues are no longer held in eftima* 
tion, but in proportion to the mafterly man*- 
ner with, which they are executed. 

When Clement could relax from the va- 
riety of bufmefs in which he was engaged, 
he vifited thofe monuments with Foreigners 
of diffindlion, and celebrated Artifts, rather 
as a Sovereign, who confidersit as a duty to 
embellifli his capital, than as an amateur 
who gratifies his tafte. This he faid to the* 
Chevalier Chatelus, a worthy defcendant of 
the immortal d'Aguefleau, as well on ac* 
count of his wit as his extenfive knowledge. 
After conv^fing with him upon different 
fubjedls, he added, that being *^ born in- 
" a village, and brought up in a Cloy fter, 
** where the love of the arts was not infpir- 
" ed, he could not acquire the neceflary 
*' judgment to' determine as a Connoifleur 
*** upon the monuments he had collefted ;^ 
** but that, a& a Sovereign, he thought 
** himfelf obliged to difplay the fineft mo- 
** dels to the eyes of Artifts and the Curi- 
** ous, that they might know and imitate 
"them.*' 

If he did not always reward the Learned, . 
as thfi^ might think they had a right to ex* 
pe£t from fo enlightened a Pope, circum:- 
fiances fliould be adverted to.. The mul- 
tiplicity of bufinefs in which he was engag;- 
ed, joined to the Ihortnefs of his reign, 
did not afford him leifure to engage in thofc 
gurliiits which would have given him the 



MX ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
greateft pleafure. Moreover, a Pope can- 
not always adl agreeably to his own incli- 
nations. There are incidents that tie up 
his hands. Neverthelefs, .he was always 
found attentive to beftow Bilhopricks upon 
thofe only whom he knew to be men of 
learning ; and to this reafon may be afcrib- 
ed his fo frequently promoting Priefts of 
his own Order. 

A Pope is generally very circumfpedt in 
the nomination of a Biftiop. He Knows 
that the proper government of a dioccfe re- 
quires judgment and abilities; for which 
reafon the Italian BiQiops are ufually as hum- 
ble as they are learned, and as charitable 
as they are zealous. They are conftant re- 
fidents, and live in friendfliip and cordiali- 
ty with tlieir Curates ; for they muft not be 
confounded ^yith thofe Monjignori known, 
in Rome under the titles of Prelan\ and 
who frequently, not being even in Orders, 
fill fuch polls as Laymen might occupy, 
and ferve the Pope in his various funftions. 

Clement was not lefs attentive in the no- 
mination of his Nuncios.: he was defirous 
that his Ambafladors (hould do him honour, 
as well by their manners as by their learn- 
ing, and particularly by their love df peace. 
And if he appointed M. Doria his Nuncio 
to the Court of France, notwithftanding 
his youth, it was becaufe he was convinced 
that his extraordinary virtues had outftrip- 
ped his years, and that his merit already 



CLEMENT XIV. xxii 
correfponded with the celebrity of his name. 
It was not till after the confequence this 
Prelate had gained in Spain (where he was 
the bearer of the confecrated child-bed li- 
nen), that Clement named him Nuncio in 
France. He fent him there as an Angel of 
Peace, capable of maintaining the harmony 
between the Father and the eldeft Son of 
the Chiirch. 

Religion has often fufFered by an in- 
difcreet zeal ; and in order to prevent 
it for the future, ,as far aa polFible, Cle- 
ment, whofe prudence ever dictated all his 
fteps and refolves^ obferved the Evajnge- 
Hcal toleration which the divine Legiflator 
made ufe of towards the Saducees and the 
Samaritans. He ufed to fay, ** We too 
*' often lay afide Charity to maintain Faith ( 
" without refleding, that if it is n6t allow- 
** ed to toUeirate error, it is forbidden to 
^* hate and perfecute thofe who have un- 
^ fortunately embraced it.'* 

He watched attentively over the Ponti- 
fical treafurea. iSefides paying all the ex- 
pences of the Conclave when he*- was chor 
fen, fome debts of the Ap<3ft6lical Cham- 
ber, and all thofe of his predeceflbr •• he 
cftablifhed fome mahufaiflures, and amply 
provided for the- expchces of the ftate, 
while he gave penfions to decayed gentle- 
men and iieilv coftyerts; f ''* 

While Gangandli- found the tf^afures pf 

the ftate fufficient :to fupport the public ex:- 

C 4 ijence^ 



xxxM ANECDOTES OP GANGANRLLI, 

pences, and to do many adtsof gencrofityy 
be was likewife at confiderable expence in 
receiving the Piincefs Dawager of Saxe^ 
and the Brothers of the King of England, 
whom he entertained raoft royally. 

But what redounds more to his credit, 
and is very Angular in the hiftory of a Pope, 
he never once thought of raifing his own 
family at the public charge, but on the con- 
trary, feemed totally to negleft them ; al- 
though, it had been the praftice of his prc- 
decelTors to raife their nephews to the high- 
eft honours. 

The hiftory of Nepotifm, which has 
been the rock upon which alraoft all the 
Popes have fplit, teaches uu, that the more 
devout they were, the more they enriched 
their Nephews, and raifed them to the 
greateft hoaours. 

No man ever fet a more ftriking exarn^ 
pie of difintereftednefs. He even declined 
to accept of a finie fnufF-bgx; and pulling 
out his old one from his fleeve^ faid it had 
been his companion in his cell for forty 
years, and he never would have another. 

Rome had long fuftered from Qiiacks, 
who pradtifed without, interruption ; but 
Clement XIV. foon put a ftop to the prac- 
tice of all who were not regularly approv- 
ed. 

An^inftance where he (hewed unufal 
vigour, was upon hearing that one Pif/^r 
Andrea bad fraudently exported fome grain 

to 



C L E M ET N T XT7. j^y^ 
to Fiumicino, in the Pope's own galleys. 
Forgetting his natural mildnefs of temper^ 
and feeing only thf^ danger to which his 
people might be expofed Iw fuch villany, 
he could not contain himfelf; Send bim to 
prifon^ faid he, and let bim be immediately 
tried^ tbat tbe Public may knoWj tbat it is 
deatb to me to fee tbe fubfiftcnce of myfubje£ls 
diminijbed. 

After the ftridteft examination of every 
argument which could be produced cither, 
againft or in fdvour of the Jefuits, during 
an enquiry which continued, four years, 
Clement XIV.' at fetft named a commiffion 
confiding of five Cardinals, fon^ Prelates, , 
and Ad^vocates, to aflfift him in the execu- 
tion of his defignv>and after the matured, 
dfeliberation, figned the Brief on the 21 d 
of July, 1775, which fuppreffed that fa- 
mous Order. On. the roth of Augud fol- 
lowing, at nine o'clock in the evening the 
Commiflioners appointed for the execution-, 
of the Brief, accompanied by a Notary, 
and attended by a guard, went ta the dif- 
ferent Hou£bs oT Jefuits ; and . having af- 
fembledthe Brethren, read to them the 
Brief of their extindkion ; at the fame time 
telling them, that the Apodolicai Cham- 
ber would fiirnifli each: or them wkh a fe- . 
cutar habit, pay the travelling expences of 
thofe who chofe to quit Rome— that their 
books and effeds fhould be delivered to 
C 5 them 

i 



J 



sxxiv ANECDOTES OF GANGANELLI, 
them — and that they fliould have penfi- 
ons. 

As the Jefuits had a great (hare in the 
education of youth, the (hutting up their 
fchools might have proved of bad cofife- 
quence, if Clement had not given a new 
proof of his attention, genius and abilities. 
Having (hut himfelf up for fome days, and 
(ketched out a plan of education worthy of 
the greateft matter ; he caft a rapid eye 
upon fome Priefts and Friars who by their 
talents and example were capable of repla- 
cing the Jefait teachers, and immediately 
inflituted them ProfefTors ; fo that, to the 
aftoni(hment of Rome, there feemed to be 
fcarce any interval between the departure 
of the Jefuits and the coming of their Suc- 
ee(rors; the fchools being again opened 
at the very inftant when the Public thought 
they muft have remained (hut up for a long 
time. 

The fuppre(rion of the Jefuits having 
taken place, the Kings and the Venetian 
State immediately accommodated the dif- 
putes which had fubfided fo long between 
them and the Court of Rome. 
J I Clement naturally po(reiring a robuft 
conftitution, and the regularity in which 
he lived, promifed a long life; but the mul- 
tiplicity of intricate affairs in which he 
was involved, agitated him fo much, 
that his health could not fail to be affedted. 
In the month of April 1774, ^e was (irft 

obferved 



CLEMENT" XIV. xxxvj 
obferved to decline, and foon after was 
tormented with cruel pains in his bowels, 
with which he langiiiftie^Tof five months, 
without thePEy Hcians being'^ble to dlfcover 
tlie caufe of his diforder, or to afford him 
the lealT relief. Upon hia death, which 
liappehed" on the zzd of September, his 
body turned inftantlj black, and. appeared 
in a ftate of jJifffeFadlion, which induced 
TEe people prefent ^to impute his death 
to the effeft of poifon ; and it was 
very generally reported that he had 
fallen a facrifice to the refentment of 
the Jefuits. 

Thus died Francis-Laurence Ganga- 
ganelli, aged fixty-nine years, ten months, 
and twenty-two days, after having ar- 
rived at the higheft dignity in the moft 
turbulent times, without having been for 
one fingle inftant dazzled by his ele- 
vation, or difmayed by the troubles he 
had to encounter. His life was a model 
for future Popes ; and his death a leiTon 
to all good Chriftians. 

He was of an ordinary ftature, had 
a large forehead, black and very thick 
eye-brows, lively eyes, and a longifh 
face. 



PRE- 
i 



F R E FACE 

By MCA:RACCIO^.X 



>Tr^HE attonilhing fale of thefc Letters 
p fufficiendy proclaims their merit. 
Their authenticity- cannot be doubted^ if 
we would judge of them merely from 
their ftriking conformity witbthe know- 
kdge^, genius^ and condu£tx)f Clement 

XI v: 

Eefide the honourable teftimonies which 
Foreigners^ and. the Learned in every part 
of Europe rendered, to GaiiganelK bdFore 
he was advanced to the Papal Chair, as to 
a perfon of the greateft afiability and in^ 
partiality, with the moft enlightened under- 
ftanding, and moft pacific turn of mind; 
the fuppreilionof the Bull/» Qena Domini^ 
and the perfed haonony which he re-efta- 
bliftied between the Court of Rome and 
the offended Kings* muft (hew the world 
that this immortal Pontiff was not led by 
opinions or prejudices, hut that he really 
thought too much refpedk could, not be 
paid to Sovereigns who had been. on. all oc- 



xxxix PREFACE, 

cafions the protcdtorsof^the Holy See, and 
that the Popes can never be more powerful 
than when fupported by the Houfe of Bour- 
bon. 

' Th&. Letters of Clement XIV. are fully 
authenticated by his conduft and by his 
fentiments. They difplay the fame religi- 
ous _principles whigh he always taught in 
public ; the fame maxims which he oblerved 
in his life; and the fame'underftanding 
which made him keep at a diftance whate- 
ver favoured either of fantacifm or fuper- 
ftition. 

But what more evidently proves that 
thefe Letters are not counterfeit-, — ^Ihad 
copied a number of them of the year 1758 
at Florence, from the originate which were 
communicated to me by the Prelate Cerati 
and the Abb6 Lami. and was defirous to 
publilh them in the year 1762, when I re- 
ceived the following anfwer from P. Gan- 
ganelli (then Cardinal), whofe confent I 
wiflied to obtain ; an anfwer which at pre- 
fent lies before me, and which I can (hew 
to any one who is defirous of feeing it. 

SIR, 

THE Letters which have been communica-- 
ted to you at Florence were written in hqfte^ 
and by no means deferve the honour you are 
inclined to confer on them by a publication ; 
/ moji earnejily beg of you^ therefore^ not to 

give 



PREFACE. xl 

give tbem to the Public. What I have vivrit-- 
ten can haik no other merit than candour and 
truth. I am not the lefs obliged to you^ and 
Jball always acknowledge the affeilionyou have 
Jhewnfor me. IJhallfeek every opportunity 
9f ^^fttfyii^S ^y gratitude J and proving to you 
with what ejleem I declare myfelf 

Tour fincere humble Servant^ 
F. Laur. Card. Ganganelli. 
Rome, 19th Sept. 1762. 

It is evident, then, that from the year 
1762, j^had genuine Letters of P. Ganga- 
ndli ; and it is not lefs evident, that thofe 
which have come to my hands in the courfe 
of the laft year, have fuch a refemblance 
to thefe, that they cannot be miftaken.- — 
The Author of the Journal des Sciences 6? 
des Beaux-Arts iays, with reafon, " That 
if they will only acknowledge three of the 
Letters to be thofe of Clement XIV. it is 
neceflary they (hould all be fo ; for the fame 
foul and the fame genius had dictated the 
whole." Connoifleurs are not to be de- 
ceived, and with only a little tafte and 
practice, copies are to be diftinguiftied from 
originals as eafily in Letters as in Painting. 
The foul of Clement XIV. is feen over the 
whole, and That cannot be copied. Be- 
fides, what is there extraordinary in all 
this.? That Ganganelli, who having at- 
tained to be a Cardinal, and afterwards to 
be Pope, by his merit j who was declar^ 



lA P- R E F A C E. 

inafuUConfiftory, by the famous Father 
Berti, ia a ]^hlic A£t, to be a perfon of 
whom Rome (hoiUd be vain ; who was boafl^ 
ed of as a mofb eloquent Pan^yrift by a 
number of towns in Italy;, marked out by 
the great Lambertini (B:nedi£t XIV.) as a 
fubje£t of the hisheft hopes ; in (hort, cit- 
ed as a man of rare accompIiQunents by 
every Writer in Italy : what is there, I fry, . 
extraordinary iniiis having wrote ingenioua 
and learned Letters ? If the fpirit of Party 
had not wilhed . to. pais Ganganelli upon = 
the world for a man of middling .i>arts, this 
matter would never have been dii^u^. 

If Clement XIV had left a numerous fami- 
ly; if a fpi^t of party had.been difcernible in. . 
Aefe Letters ; or if the mediocrity of the 
Work had required a refpedtable name to^ 
impofc upon the Public; paffion or intereft: 
might be fufpedted ; but in the prefent cafe^ 
we are obliged taacknowledge the truth. 

It is with great injuffice that the Italiansc 
are accufed of knowing nothing but fuper- 
ftitious devotion. . The moft excellent book . 
of; enlightened piety. M'hich we have, was 
wrote by. Muratori; and nobody is igno- 
rant of Benedict XIV. having proved both 
by his difcourfes and writings, the foverdgn 
contempt in which he held^ every thing 
which was only a trifling attention to church 
ceremonies ; and that the Sacred College 
had always men of the brighteft parts. 

It 



PREFACE. 3di 

It is no lefs certain, that among the Re- 
ligious in Cloifters,, efpecially in. Italy, mar 
ny individuals, may ba found who havo 
knowledge, principles, and extenfive views^ 
yet want opportunities* of difplaying their 
talents to become great men.. For exam- 
ple, place P. Gardil, a religious Barnabitc,. 
and Preceptor to the Prince of Piedmont^ 
in a confpicuous light,^and you will unquef- 
tionably fee genius and learning (hine forth^ 
with a piety totally free from Pharifaical 
zeal and party-fpirii. To difpute the abi- 
lity of the Italians to write fenfible^ inge- 
nious Letters,, is to. betray an. ignorance of 
their character.. 

Theobje<5lionmadieto^this Work, " that 
" there are people at Rome who know no- 
" thing of them,*' does not deferve to be 
refuted* We do not call in friends and. 
neighbours as. witnefles when we fit down 
to writer, andte happens daily, that even 
thofe with whom, we live do not know our 
cbrrefpondents., 

** It would be more honeft, fay they, te 
** mention the fource from whence thefc 
** Letters were obtained." But asthis is a 
matter of confidence,, and, the people from 
whom we received theip are unwilling ta 
appear., we cannot betray their fecret. U 
requires, no great exertion of mind to.divinc 
the motives of their difcretion ; they will 
one day declare them, and it. wilLbe feen 
ho:^v well they were.founded*. 

The. 



adiii PREFACE. 

The inaccuracy of the dates, whidi arc 
correded in this Edition, had no other ori- 
gin but in the great hurry of the Printers: 
the greater thefe faults, the lefs ought they 
to be afcribed to the Editor. 

The great number of Italian words found 
in the firft Edition, having difpleafed many 
people of tafle by their breaking the dif- 
courfe, or introducing a medley which was 
not in the original Letters, I have retrench- 
ed almoft all the citations, or rather have 
traaflated them into the text. 

I have retouched the Letter? to Louis 
XV. Madame Louifa, thel>uke of Parma, ' 
&c. when it will be fcen (as far as the jtyle 
of Roman Chancery could admit of it) that 
they truly refemblc the other Letters'. I 
have likewife reviewed the Italian, and have, 
found fome faults in the tranflation which 
will not apprar now,^as the thoughts are 
given in their proper fenfe. It appeared 
to me, that as all the three warrants ad- 
drefled to Monfignor Girault, his Holinefs's 
Nuncio, on the fubjeft of Madame Louifa's 
profeflion and taking the habit, exprefled 
the fame thing, one was (ufficient. 

If the Suppkmetit^ which the Public have 
impatiently expected, has not appeared, it 
is becaufe the Works of Ganganelli are -not 
fabricated in France, as has been reported, 
and that authentic Pieces are ftill wanting 
to complete it. Thofe which I have alrea- 
dy, with fome that are promifed, will en- 
able 



PREFACE. -aliT 

able me to give another Volume, quite dif- . 
tinft from, but not lefs interefting than, 
the Letters; where fome curious anecdotes 
and pieces of fingular eloquence will be 
found. M. L'Abbe Fabri, Nephew of 
Clement XIV. will undertake to publi(h 
the Theological Treatifes eompofed by his 
Uncle, which are in the highefl: efteem.- — • 
In his Letter to me from Rome,' of the 6th 
of February lafl, he fays ; Li quali di qui a 
non tnolta i Jiejfo mandero alia luce. 

Nothing more remains to be faid, tlian 
that Pofthumous Works are almoft al- 
ways fufpefted ; and though a decree gif 
Parliament was obtained formerly by 
Monf. Boffuet, Bifhop of Troyes, affirm- 
ing to the Public, that certain produdtions 
which he publifhed under the name of his 
Uncle, the Bifhop of Meaux, were truly 
the works of that great Prelate ; yet there 
are many people who will not believe it. — 
It is to be obferved, however, that fome 
prejudice, party fpirit, or perfonal intereft, 
generally leads people to contradict and 
deny what they are ignorant of. 

Thefe letters will be admired in fpite of 
every objection ; and the more they are 
known, the more honour will they refledt 
on Ganganelli, on the Age, and on his 
Country; becaufe the memory of the 
Righteous ought to be eternal, and becaufe 
he has nothing to dread from prepofTeffion 
or prejudice. 

TVs. 



^tr: P" R E P A C E. 

The Gounterfeits, whidi multiply on all 
bands, and fwarm with errors, oblige me 
to repeat here again, that the only exa^ 
and corre£k Edition is that which is to be. 
had ait Lottin's, jun. BookfeUer at Faris^ 
figned with his name. 

N. B. The counterfeits we fpeak. of, iii 
printing the Life of Cltment XIV, have had. 
the. aukwardnefs to make their impreflion 
from the firft Edition,, which is exceeding- 
ly imperfect when compared'^with the lait ^ 
and this- Life, which they have jpined to the 
two Volumes of Letters, they have diftri- 
b^itcd, and declared every where to be aa 
*&ditida augmented nlore thaaone^hirdL. 



£E Ti- 



LETTERS, &c. 



LETTER! • J.^/i. 

TO M. DE CABANE, JKNIGHT OF MALTA. 
Sir, 

THE folitude wHich you have formed 
to yourfelf 'in your own bread makes 
it unneceflary to 4eek another. Cloifte;« 
are only to bepreferred in proportion as the 
mind becomes more recoUedled there, for 
-the merits of a Monaftery are not in the 
•walls. 

The Convent of La Trappe which wc 
have in Italy, to which you purpofe retir- 
ing, is nolefs orderly than the one of the 
fame Order in France^ but wherefore quit 
the world while you can improve it ? It 
will remain for ever wicked, if abandoned 
ty all the good. 



% LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

Befides, is not the Order of Malta^ in 
which you live, a religious Order, and ca- 
pable of purifying you, if you dtfcharge 
your duty in it ? 

We ought to deliberate well before we 
take upon us a new load of obligations. 
The Gofpel is the beft guide for a Chriftian; 
and to admit of our beinjg buried in foli- 
tude, the vocation ought to be well tried. 

There is fome thing * extraordinary in 
whatever takes us out of the common road 
of life, and in embracing the life of a Monk 
we ought to dread fome illufion. I truly 
honour the Monks who follow the inftitu- 
tions of the Chartreufe and La Trappe, but 
only a few of thefe Orders are wanted. 
Befides the difficulty of finding a great 
number of religious, truly fervent, they 
ought to be apprehenfive of injuring the 
Hate, by rendering themfelvesufelefs mem- 
bers of fogiety. We are not born Monks, 
we are born Citizens. The world requires 
people to contribute to its harmony, to 
make empires flourilh by their talents, 
labour, and morals. 

Thefe profound folitudes, which (hew no 
exterior figns of life, are only graves. St. 
Anthony, who lived long in the defart, did 
not m.ake a vow to remain always there. 
He quitted his retreat, and came into the 
middle of Alexandria to combat Arianifm, 
and difperfe the Arians ; becaufe he was 
convinced tliat tb.e ft ate and the caufe of 

reliejlon 



CLEMENT XIV. 3 

religion were to be ferved by actions more 
than by prayers. When he had accom- 
pliftied the purpofe of his miflion, he re- 
turned to his Hermitage, in forrow for 
having preferved the little blood whiqh 
old age had ftill left in his veins, and that 
he had not fuffered martyrdom. 

When at La Trappe, it is true, you will 
pray to God day and night; but cannot 
you diredt your thoughts continually to 
him, though in the middle of the world ? 
It is not in words that the merit of prayer 
confifts ; our fovereign Lawgiver tells us 
himfelf, that it is not the multiiiiJo of 
words which can obtain for us the favour 
of Heaven, 

Many refpedable Writers have not hefi- 
tated to impute the remiffhefs in Mo- 
nafteries to a tirefonie repetition of forms 
of devotion. They thought, with rea- 
fon, that the attention could not be pre- 
ferved, during too long^ prayers, and that 
bodily, labour is of /?ij|ffre advantage than 
continual pfalm-fingirig. 

The world would not have exclaimed fo 
much againft the MonHs, if they had been 
*Yeen ufefully employed. The memory of 
thofe who cultivated wilds, and enriched 
cities with Ikilfiil produdtions, or afcer- % 
cained hiftorical fadts or the dates of 
events, are ftill refpefted, 

TheBenedidines of the learned Congre- 
' gation of St. Maur in France, which we 



^ LETT ERS OF GANGANELT-I, 

vulgarly called Maurini, have acquired laft?- 
ing honour by the publicatiojn df ^9, num- 
ber of works both curious andufeful. The 
celebrated P. Montfaucon, who is <mc 
of their greateft ornaments, filled all Itdy 
with the fame of his learning, when he 
dedicated his application entirdy to the 
ftudyiof antiquity. 

St. Bernard, the reformer of fo many 
Monafteries which follow bis rules, ren- 
dered himfelf very ufeful bcjdi to religion, 
tod Ws <:ountry ; not when he preached 
* up the Crufades which could only be 
juftified by -the intention ; but when he 
gave ufeful advice both to Popes and 
Kings, and compofed his immortal works. 
■He had not become a i^^ather x)f the 
-Church, if hehad done nothing but jpray. 

Father Mabillon, in his famous treatife 
t)n Monaftic Studies, appears to me to 
-have fully triumphed over the Abb6 de 
^anc6, who aflerts that Monks (hould 
only ftudy contemplation and pfalmody. 
The deftiny of man is to labour. There 
is but one flep from a speculative to an tdk 
life^ faid Cardinal Paleotti, and nothing .is 
more eafy than to make that ftep. 

You will do more good by relieving the 
-poor, and .comforting them by your dif- 
courfe, than by burying yourfelf in a de- 
fart. John the Baptift, who was thegreateft 
•of men, quitted the defart to declare the 

kingdom 



CLEMENT X!V, 5 

kingdom of God was approaching, and to 
baptife on the banks of the river Jordan. 

Do not ima^ne, my dear Sir, that ia 
fpeaking of a ufeful life, I want to make an . 
apology for the religious Mendicants, at the ^ 
expence of the Anchorets. Every Order 
has its rules ; and the maxim here (hould 
be, that be vstho dotbnot edtflejb^ Jboulimt 
defpife bim who dotb tat : but I own I efteem 
the Brother Minors the more, becaufe they 
join the a^ve life of Martha to the con- 
templative life of Mary ; and I believe, 
whatever certain enthufiafts may fay, the 
aftive life is much the more meritorious. 

St. Benedift was fenfible that we ought 
to be ufeful to our country, and in confe- 
quence inftituted a feminary for Gentlemen 
at Mont-CafEno, He knew what fort of 
laws the love of our neighbcnir infpires. 

If, however, in fpitc of all I have faid, 
you ftill feel a fecret infpiration which calls 
you to the monaftic life, you will do what 
you think proper ; for I (hould be afraid to 
oppofe the will of Ood, who leads his fer- 
vants as he pleafeth, and often by uncom- 
mon means; 

I wifli; F could be with you at TivoK, to 
meditate fti fight of that famous Cafcadei ^ 
which^ drviding iitto'a thoufiind different 
torrents, and filing with the gieateft impe- 
tuofity, prefents to the mind a lively pic- 
ture of this worlds and its various agitations. 
Vol. I. D I 



6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLT, 

I wifh you agreeable holidays, and ^iq, 
more than Ciceronian eloquence ^can ex- 
prefe, Sir, 

your mod humble, &c. 
Fr. L. Gai«(gahelli. 

At the Co NAT E«T -of the Holy Appitljb^» 
39th 06t. 1747. 

My humble refpe^ tp the. moft worthy 
Biftiop. 



LETT E R IJ. 

TO THE ABJ3E F£RGHEN- 

MoNs. A^n^, 

YOU cannot do better to divert youp- 
felf from your troubles and embar- 
raffment than to vifit Italy. Every wellr 
informed man owes an homage to this coun- 
try, fo ddervedly boafted ot; and it wiU 
f'ive me inexpreffible.fati^fa^ion tp fee you 
ere. 

You will inftantly fee the great bulwarks 
giv?n us by Nature in the Alps and Appe- 
nin^B, which fepara^e us from France, and 



CLEMENT XIV> 7 

have .made them give us the name of Tra- 
montanes. They are a m%jeftic range of 
mountains, which ferve as a frame to the 
magnificent pidture within them. 

Torrents, rivulets, and rivers, without 
reckoning the feasi, are objeds which pre- 
fent the moft curious and iaterefting points 
of view to foreigners, and especially to 
painters. Nothing can be more agreeable 
than the moft fertile foil in the fineft cli- 
mate, every where interfered with ftreams 
of mnning water, and every where peopled 
with villages, or ornamented with fuperb 
cities. — Such a country is Italy ! 

If agriculture was held in equal efteei^ 
with architcdture i if the country was not 
(li vided into fuch a number of governments 
all of different forms, and almoft all weak 
and of little extent 4 mifery would not be 
found by the fide of magnificence, and 
induftry without adtivity .-, but unfortuna'te- 
ly we .are .more engaged in the embellilh- 
ment of cities, than in the culture of the 
country; and uncultivated lands every 
where reproach the idlenefs of the people. 

If you begin your route at Venice, you 
wHl fee a city very fingular from its fitu- 
ation ;— .it is precifely a great (hip jefting 
upon the waters, and which cannot be ap- 
proached but by boats. 

The Angularity of its fimation is not the 
only thing that will furprtJe you. — The in- 
habitants in mafque for four or five months 
D z *>c^ 



8 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
in the year -, the laws of a defpotic govern- 
ment, which allow the greateft liberty in 
their amufements ; the rights of a fove- 
reign without authority ; the cuftoms of a 
people who dread even his (hadow, and 
yet enjoy the greateft tranquillity^ form in- 
confiftencies, which in a very extraordinary 
manner, muft afFedt foreigners. There is 
fcarcely a Venetian who is not eloquent ^ — 
colledions have been made of the bons 
mots of their Gondoliers, replete with true 
Attic fah. 

Fcrrara difplays a vaft and beautiful foli- 
tude within its walls, almoft as filent as {the 
tomb of Ariofto, who was buried tjiere. 

Bolc^na prefents another kind of picture: 
there the Sciences are familiar even to the 
Fair Sex, who appear with dignity in the 
fchools and academies, and have trophies 
crefted to them daily. A thoufand differ- 
ent paintings will gratify your mind and 
eyes, and the converfation of the inhabi- 
tants will delight you. 

You will then pafs through a multitude 
of fmall towns, in the fpace of more than 
a hundred leagues, each of which has its 
Theatre, itsCafin (a rendezvous for the no- 
lility\ a man of learning, or fome Poe%. 
who employ themfelves according to their 
fancy, or their leifure, 

you will vifit Loretto, made famous by 
the great concourfe of pilgrims from other 

countri^s^ 



CLEMENT XIV. 9 

countries, and the treafures with which the 
church is magnificently enriched^ 

You will then dcfcry Rome, which may 
be feen a thoufand years, and always with 
new pleafure. Tnis city, fituated upon 
(even hills, which the Ancients called the 
Seven Miflrefles of the World, feems to 
command the univerfe, and boldly to fay 
to mankind, that (he is the Queen, [and 
the Chief.J 

You wilTcall to mind the ancient Romans^ 
the remembrance of whom can never be 
effaced, on cafting an eye on the famous 
Tiber, which has been fo often mentioned, 
and which has been fo frequently fwelled 
by their own blood, and the blood of their 
enemies. 

You will be in extacy at the fight of St. 
Peter's, which Connoiffeurs fay is the won?- 
der of the world, being infinitely fuperior to 
the St. Sophia at Conftantinople, St. Paul's 
at London, or even the Temple of Solomon. 

It is a pile * which extends in^ proportion 
as you go over it, wJiere every thing is 
inmienfe, yet appears of an ordinary fize. 
The paintings are exquifite, the monumen- 
tal fculptures breathe, and you will believe 
that you: fee the New Jerufalem come down 
from Heaven, which St. John fpeaks of in 
the Revelations. 

* In the original the words are, c'eft un valjfeaa^ it 
is a vefTel ; but the uncouthnels of the expreflion made 
tke Tranflator i^dopt the word piU, 

D a ^^\| 



lo LETTRES OF GANGANELLI, 

You will find, both in the great, and in 
the detail, of the Vatican, which was eredt* 
cd on the ruins of falfe oracles, beauties 
of every kind that will tire your eyes, 
while they at the fame time charm you. — - 
Here Raphael and Michael Angelo, feme- 
times in a fublime, fometimes in a pa- 
thetic manner, have difplayed the mafter- 
pieces of their geniiis, by expreffing in the 
moft lively language the whole energy of 
their fouls •, and here the fcience and geni- 
us of all the writers in the world are de-> 
•pofited,, in the multitude oF works whfch 
compofe that rich and immenfe Libra- 
ry/ 

Churches, palaces, public fquares, pyra- 
mids, obelifks,, pillars,, galleries, grand 
fronts of buildings,, theatres, fountains, gar- 
dens, views, all, all will declare to you that 
you are at Rome ; and every thing will at- 
tach you to it, as to the city, which of all 
others has been univerfally admired. You 
Will not meet with that French elegance 
which prefers the beautiful to the fublime ;. 
but you will be amply recompenfed by 
thofe ftriking views that every inftant muft 
excite your admiration. 

Laftly, in all the figures of painting or 
fculpture, both ancient and modern, you 
will fee a new creation, and believe it ani- 
mated. The Academy of Painting, filled 
with French ftudenjs, will (hew you fome 
who are deflined tp become great Matters 

in 



C L E M E N^ r XIV: II 

in their profeffion, and who by coming to 
ftudyhere, do honour to Italy. 

You> will admire the grandeur and fim- 
plicity of the head of the Church, the fer- 
vant of fervants in the order of humility, 
and the firft of men in the eyes of the 
faithful . The Cardinals who furround hiriiy 
will reprefent to you the twenty-four old 
men who furround the throne of the Lamb, > 
modeft in their manners, and inftructive 
by theif morals.. 

But this magnifieent profpeft will ter- 
minate with a view of groupes of Mendi* 
cants, whom Rome improperly (tipports^ 
by bellowing mifapplied charity, inftead , 
of employing them in ufeful labours ; thiifi 
it is that the thorn is feen with the rofe^ 
and vice too ffequently by, the fide of vir^ 
tue. 

But if you wifh to fee Rome in all her 
folendour, endeavour to be there by the 
read of St. Peten The illumination of the 
church begins with a- gentle light, which 
you will eafily mtftake ftw the refleftion of 
the fetting fun :■ it then fends forth fome 
pieces of beautiful architedture, and afters 
wards finiflies with waving flames, which 
make amoving pidture, thatlafts till day- 
break. AH this is attended with double 
fireworks,^. the fplendour of which is fo 
bright, that you would think the ftars had 
been plucked from heaven,, and burft up- 
on- the dearth. 



12 LETTERS OF GANGANELtl. 

I do not mention to you the ftrangesne- 
tamorphofis which has placed the order cf 
St. Francis even in the Capitol^ and has 
produced a new Rome from the nuns of 
the old V to (hew the world that Chriibani* 
ty is truly the work of God, and that he 
has fubdned the mofl famous conquerors 
toeftablifti it in the very centre of their 
poiTeffions. If the modern Romans do 
not appear warlike, it is becaufe the nature 
of their government does not tnfpire them 
with valour; but they have Ae feed of 
every virtue, and make as good foldiers as 
any, when they carry arms under a foreign 
power. It is certain that they have a great 
Ihare of genius, a fmgular appitude in ao- 
quiring the Sciences ; and you would ima- 
gine they were born Harlequins, fo expref- 
five are they in their geftures^ even from 
their infancy. 

You will next travel by the famous Ap^ 
plan Way, which by its age is become 
wretchedly inconvenient, and Jyou will ar- 
rive at Naples, the Parthenopeof the an- 
cients, where the aflies of Virgil are depo- 
fited, and where you will fee a kurel grow- 
ing, which could not poffibly be better 
placed. 

Mount Vefuvius on one fide, and the 
Elyfian Fields on the other, will prefent a 
moll matchlefe view to you ; and after be- 
ing fatisfied with this delightful profpeft, 
you will find yourfelf fnrrounded by a 

multitude 



CLEMENT XIV. 13 
multitude of Neapolitans, lively and in- 
genious, but too much addidted to plea- 
fure and idlencfs, to become what they 
otherwife might be. Naples would bt a 
delightful place, if it was hot for the crouds 
of people of the lowed rank, who have 
the appearance of unhappy wretches, or 
robbers, though often without being either 
the one or the other. 

The churches are magnificently deco- 
rated, but their architcdture is in a wretch- 
ed tafte, and by no means comparable to 
the Roman. You will have a fmcular 
pleafure in traverfmg the environs or thte 
town, which is mod delightful, from it« 
delicious fruits, charming views, and finfe 
fituations. You will penerate into the 
fkmous fubterranean city of Herculaneuitl, 
which was fwallowed up in a former agfe 
by an eruption of Mount Vefuvius. If 
the mountain happens to be raging, you 
will fee torrents of fire iflue from its bow- 
els, and majeftically overfpread the coun^ 
try. You will fee a coUedion of what- 
ever has been recovered out of Herculane- 
um, at Portici ; and the environs of Puz- 
zuolo, fung by the Prince of Poets, wilt 
infpire you with a true paffion for poetry. 

You muff walk with the ^neid in your 
handj and compare the cav6 of the Cu-» 
maean Sybil and Acheron with what Virgil ^ 
has faid on thofc fubjefts. 

You will return by Caferta, which from 
D5 its 



14 EETT ERS OF GANG ANELLI, 

decorations, marUe% extent, and aque- 
dudts worthy rf ancient Rome, is the 
fineft place in Europe ; and you wiB make 
a vifit to Mount Gaffino, where the. fpirit of 
St. Benedid has fubfifted uninterruptedly 
above a dozen ages, in fplte ofthe immenfe 
riches of that fuperb naonaftery. 

Florence, from whence the fine arts have 
iffued, and where th^ir.moft magnificent 
malber-pieces are depefited, wiUprefento- 
ther objedts to your. view. There you will 
admire a city, which, according to the rer 
mark of a portugvfefe, ji&ewW only bejbewnon 
Sundays, it is fo handfome and beautifully 
decorated. You wiU every where trace the 

2 )lendour and elegance of the family of Mer 
ici, infcribed in the Aiinals of Tafte asthe 
reftorers of the fine arts^ 

Leghorn is a well inhabited fea-port^ of 
great advantage to Tufcany. Pifa always 
has men of learning, oa every fubj^ft, in 
its fchoolsi. Sienna, remarkable for the 
jxirity of its air and language, . will intereft 
you in a very fingular manner. Parma^ 
Placed in the midft of fertile paftur^si will 
(hew yoaa. theatre which can contain fourr 
teen thoufand people, and where every one 
can. hear^ what is faid, though fpoken in a 
whifperu Placentia will appear to you wor- 
thy of the name it bears, as its delight-i' 
(ill frtuation. rauft cagtivate every tra-r 
veller. 

You 



CLEMENT XIV. 15 

You will not forget Modena, as it is the 
country of the famous Muratori, and a 
city celebrated for the name which it hasi 
given to its fovereigns. 

You will find at Milan the fecond church, 
in Italy, for fize and beauty i. more than 
a thoufand marble (latues decorate its out- 
fide, and it would be a mafter-piece, if it 
had a proportionable front. The fociety 
of its inhabitants is quite agreeable ever 
fince it was befieged by the French. . They 
live there as they do in Paris, and every 
thing, even to the. hofpitals and church- 
yards,, prefents an air of fplendour. . The 
Ambrolian Library muft engage the curi- 
ous i and the ambrofian ritual no lefs en-? 
gage the churchman, who wilhes to know 
the ufages of the Church, as wellas thofe 
of antiquity. 

The Boromean. Ifles will next attradt 
your curiofity, from the accounts you muft: 
have had of them. Placed in the middle 
of a delightful lake, they prefent to your 
view whatever is magnificent or gay in- 
gardens. 

Genoa will prove to you that it is truly 
fuperb in its churches and Palaces. There 
you will fee a. port famous for its com- 
merce, and the refort of ftrangers. You 
will fee a Doge changed almoft as often as 
the fuperiors of communities, and with-- 
fcarceany greater authority. . 

And 



»6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

And lailly Turin, the refidence of a 
Court where the Virtues have long inha- 
bited, will charm you with the regularity 
of its buildings, the beauty of its ^uares^ 
the ftraightnefs of its ftreets, and the fpirit 
of the people ; and there you will agreea- 
bly fini(h your Journey. 

I have been juft making the tour of 
Italy,^ nioft rapidly and at little expence, 
as you fee,^ to invite you to it in reality ;— 
^tis fufficient to Jhich paintings to fuch a 
mafter as you. 

I make no mention dF our morals to 
you; they are not more corrupt than among 
other people, let Malice fay what it will ; 
they vary only their (hades according to 
the difference of the governments. — ^The 
Roman does not refemble the Genoefe, nor 
the Venetian the Neapolitan -, but you may 
fey of Italy as of the whole worlds that, 
with fome little diflindiions, it is here as it 
is there, a little good and a little bad. 

I do not attempt to prejudice you in fa- 
vous of the agreeablenefe of the Italians, 
nor of their love of the Arts and Sciences : 
you will very foon perceive it when you 
come among them ; you of all men> widi 
whom one is delighted to converfe, and to 
whom it will always be a pleafure to fey 
that one is his moft humble and moft obe- 
dient fervant, 
/ I have takeh the opportunity of a leffure 
moment to give you fom<t Vii^%» ck€ m^ 



C L E M E N T XIV. i^ 
^ouatry ; it is only a coarfe daubing, which 
n another hand would have been a beau- 
tifiil miniature: the fubjedk defetves it^ 
bat my pencil is not fofficiently delicate for 
the execution. 



LETTER ni. 

TO ONE OF HIS SISTERS. 

THE lofs which we have had of Co k 
manyrcIaSons^and^ftfiehds, my dear 
Sifter, declares to us that this life is only 
borrowed^ and that God alone eflentially 
poflefleth inamortality. What ou^t to be 
our comfort is, that we fliall be reunited 
in, if we attach ourfelves conftantly to, 
him. 

The troiAleayou fpeak of ought to be 
more preqoSiman plcafures, if you have 
faith. Cklvary is in this wwld the proper 
place for a Chrittian, and if he mounts up- 
on T^boji it is only for an^inftant. 
^ MyTiealth continues with its ufuat vi- 
gour, becattfe Fneither live too fparing nor 
ttjSTull ^ fc»netimes my ffiomach inclines 
to be fick, but I tell it that I have not lei- 
fure, and it leaves me in qiuet. Study ab- 
forbs thofe trifling incanveniencies which 
mankind complain of fo ft^t!pftxi\X^ . \x. 



iT LETTERS OP GANOANELLI, 
often happens that we are indifpofed, thro' 
idlenels ; — many women are fick, without 
knowing where their complaint lies, be- 
caufe- they have nothing to do:-*^they are 
tired of being too welt, and this fatiety is 
oppreffive to people of fafliion. 

1 am very glad to have fuch good ac- 
counts of little Michael. It is a plant which 
will produce excellent frmt, if carefully 
cultivated. All dfependls upon a' happy cul- 
. ture ; we become every thing or nothing, 
j according to the education we receive. 
/ You regret that we do not fee one ano- 
ther; but neither our figures nor our words 
form our friendftiip. Provided our affec- 
tions and thoughts unite us, what fignifies 
our perfons being at a great diftance? 
When we love one another in God, we 
fee one another always, for God. is over 
all : he ought to be the center of all our fen- 
timents, as he is of our fouls. 

I embrace you moft cordially, and am 

fenfihle of the value of the Letters you 

write tome;, they recall the memory of a 

Father I knew but too little,, and of a 

, Mother whofelife.w^ a^conftantleffon of 

j virtue. I have never failed to remember 

them at the altar, nor my dear filler, to 

. whom I am beyond all expreffion, 

.: . A^ moft, humble and affedionate, . &c. 

■ LEX. 



CLEMENT XIV. 19: 



LETTER IV: 

TO MONSIGNOR BOUGET, PRIVATE CHAM- 
BERLAIN TamS HOUNESS. 

My Lor D^. 

I Will not fail to attend your kind invi- 
tation, as from one in whom fenfe,. 
knowledge and gaiety are happily united. 
If ever melancholy comes to lay hold of 
me, I will court your agreeable converfit-- 
tion, of which Bfenedidt XIV. fowell knew 
the value, and which would have made 
the fame impreffion upon Saul, as David's 
harp.. You have a talent for. narration fo 
rapid and engaging, that even trifles, from 
the turn you "give them,, become matter, 
of folid converfation. . 

It is a long time fmcewemeLat Mounts- 
Trinity. Oim: Eathera the French Mfr 
nims deferve to have frequent vifits paid 
to them 5 it is impoflible to be too ftrongly 
attached to them, when they love both 
fcience and fociety ; and this Attachment 
grows the ftronger.when you are with them. 

When you come to fee me, Iwill (hew 
j^u my refledtions upon a cafe in which you 
arc interefted. There are of all kinds in 
the Holy Office, fome to make us laugh, 

and 



30 LETTERS OF GANOANELLI, 
and others to make m cry^ but don't bcr 
afraid, I (hall not read of the melancho* 
ly kind to you. The great art in being 
well with fociety, is to fcrve evefy one acr 
cording to their tafte. 

Gaiety is the true medicine for the ftu^ 
dious; the mind and heart (hould be di- 
lated, when it has been contrafted by ob- 
ftinate toil. Bloflbming is as neceflary to 
the human mind as to trees, to make it. 
recover its verdure, and fkmriflijbut there 
are people like rofe-trees without flowers, 
who prefent nothing to your view but bark 
and prickles. When I meet fuch,^ I do not . 
feeak a word, but pafs by as qukk as pof- - 
ably I can, for fear of being ftung. 

Gaiety retards old age v there is always 
a reviving frefhnefs which accompanies 
gaiety, inftead of the pale wrinkles that 
are he produce of cares. 

Benedift XIV^ would not enjoy fxich 
good health, if he were not always gayj 
he lays down his pen.to give vent to fome 
BonsmotSf and rcuimes it without ever be- 
ing fatigued. 

You are in the right to graft the Italian 
gaiety upon the French ;; it is the way to 
Hve to a hundred. That you may do fo 
I fmcerely wiih, for I am more than I can 
tell. 

My Lordi 

Your moll humble, &c» 



C I- E M E N T XIV. 21 

LETTER V. 

TO THE MOST REVEREND ABBE OF MONTE 
CASSINa 

Most Rev. Sir^ 

YOU do mc too much honour in con* 
fulting me about the dates of your 
two manufcripts. I believe them to be of 
the ninth century^ by comparing the cha- 
racers in which they arc written, with 
thofeof diat age; and befides^ there i& 
one of our Authors cited who lived at that 
time, whom few people know, and whofe 
fragments upon the fervice cf the. Mafe 
ftUlexift. 

U is very generous in you to take the 
ffseble Jjghts of a little Francifcan upon 
that fubjedk, while you are the Chief of an 
Order perfedly verfed in antiquity, and 
f¥hich has given the moft fhining and ho- 
nourable proofs of it, in all parts of the 
world. 

We ftiould be great triflers, were it not 
for the Benediftines, faid Innocent XL : 
(Odefcalchi). Befides their being an ho- 
nour to the Holy See, and the different 
churches for whole ages, they have been 
the fathers and prefervcrs of hiftory. It 

is. 



%z LETTERS 6t GANGANEILI, 

is with them that Monarchs have founds 
their, mod auguft and interefting titles*, 
and fcience and faith have beenr uninter- 
ruptedly prefervediamong^ them, while the 
thickeft clouds of ignorance feemed-to 
©verlhade the univerfe. Though rich and 
powerful, they have never been feen cabal- 
ling in Kingdoms, nor meddling, in in- 
trigues that could be hurtful ;. on the con- 
trary,., they have proved of great affifliance 
to ftatesj: and we may fay, that notwith- 
ftanding all the wealth and honours they 
have received, public gratitude has- ftiB 
left them unpaid. 

If I can anfwer your intentions, I wiH 
moft willingly go to that famous retreat 
which has produced, a. world.of faints and 
leaxned men. It would' feem^ that dn 
treading the ground which thefe great men 
inhabited, one partakes of their merits. 

It is impoifible to add to the profound, 
lefpedt with which I am, &c. 

Romey 5 March, 1 748. 

LETTER VI. 

TO MR. STUART, A SCOTCHMAN. 

IHavefolIowed-you-in idea, my deareft 
Sir,. both by fea, and upon the Thames. 
As long as my travels in England are ideal, 



CLEMENT MV. 23 

populace will' net iofiilt me ;. whereas^ were 
ItQ appear there in perfon, and in my religi- 
ous habit, God knows how they might treat 
me. You muft allow that, the Popes are 
good fort of men -, for were they to make 
reprifals, they would infift that every 
Prieft and Monk Ihould have leave to en^ 
' ter London in their habits, or that no Eng- 
lifliman (hould be received into Rome.. And 
who would fufFer moft : You in the firft 
.place, my dear Sir> who love to vifi't Ita- 
ly from time to time -^ but I proteft to you, 
I fhould be ftill more morti&edahan you, 
fi3r I am moft fincerely attached to the 
Engliftination, and have received both plea- 
fure and advantage from the converfation 
of its inhabitants^ who diftinguifli. themr 
felves by their zeal fDr the culture of arts 
and fciences. I am defighted with your 
famous poets and your eminent philofo- 
phers', in converting with them I find 
within me a. certain, elevation of mind ; 
methinks I growfublime, and periOeive the 
world,, beneath me.. I fometimes make 
nodlurnal vifits to Newton, and at a time 
when all natur:e fleeps, I wake to read and 
admire him. No one like him ever united 
jQmplicity with fcience. His character and 
gjenius werefuperior to pride andoftentation. 
I conclude, that at your return you will 
bring me the little manufcript of Berke- 
ley's^ that illuftrious wrong-bead^ who 
imagined there was nothing really ma^ 

terial 



24 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
terial in the world, and that all bodies were 
merely ideal. What a view would it ex- 
hibit of the human intelledt, if the 
learned, who had hitherto bewildered 
themfelves in the variety of opinions, 
(hould at laft find themfelves of one mind,, 
and that this reafon, which has fo long 
remained incognito^ (hould come at Jength 
to enlighten them with its beams 1. How 
furprifed would they be, and at th^ fame 
time mortified, who had the vanity 
to imagine they were more than infiMred!: 
The world ki all ages has been the fcenc 
ofdifputes and errors; and we ought to 
think ourfelves happy amidil fo roznf 
clouds of coutradidtion, to have fuch an 
unerring light to lead us the right way : 
I fpeak of the light of Revelation, which, 
in fpite of all the efforts of i»fidelity, 
will never be extinguilhed. Religion, like 
the firmament, fometimes may appear ob- 
fcure to us, but at the fame time is not 
kfs radiant. The paffions and fenfes arc 
vapours which fpring from the womb of 
our corruption, and intercept the rays of 
celeftial truth ; but the man who reflects, 
without being alarmed or alloniftied, waits 
the return of a ferene and chearful flcy. 
We have feen the fogs raifed by Celfus, 
Porphyry, Spinofa, Collins, Bayle, &c. 
difperfedf, and we may be affured that 
thofe of modern philofophy will fliare the 
fame fate. In every age fome Angular 



CLEMENT XIV. 15 

men h^ve appeared, who fometimes by 
violence, and fometimes by fanaticifin^ 
Teemed to threaten the annihilation of 
Chriftianity; but they have paffed away 
like thofe tempefb which only ferve to 
fhow the face o£ heaven mote bright and 
ferene* 

It is for want of principles qf folid know- 
ledge that fome men are dazzled by fophif- 
try^ and the moil trivial objedions appear 
unanfwerable to the ignorant. In religion, 
every thing is united and combined; and 
the moment we quit our hold of the leaft 
truth, we find nothing but a dark abyfi. 
Such men, inftead of concluding, from the 
view of the wonders they enjoy, that God 
can undoubtedly confer much greater hap* 
pinefs after this life, judge that the Divini- 
ty, all-powerful as he is, can go no further, 
and that this world is of courae the ne plus 
ulira of his wifdcnn and power. 

I (hould be curious to fee a work which 
could prove demonilratfVely (and fuch a 
one might be eafily compofed, provided 
the author were acquainted with natural phi « 
lofophy and theology,) that the world, fuch 
as we fee it, is a periFed riddle, of which ^^ 
there can be no folution without religion. 
It is rdigion ~which can account to us for 
the imtnenfity of that heaven, of which the 
unbeliever cannot divine the ufe ; for the 
miferies which we fulEFer, of whvcVv the. Phi- 
hfopher cannot aflign the caufe-, ^ot^^ 



%6 LETTERS OP GANGANELLl, 
growing defires which agitate us, and whdc — 
impctuofity we cannot calm. 

We have frequently (ketched out thcfe -= 

great fubjedts when we have difcourfed fa 

miliafly together, fometimes attiic Villa • 

Borghefe, and fometimes at the Villa N e - ■ 

groni. That time is paft, and a part ot ~ 

our lives with it, becaufe every thing^^ 
pafleth away, except the fincere attac h - 
ment with which I am with all my heart. 
My deareft Sir, &c. 

RoMB, 1 3 May, 1748. 



LETTER VII. 
TO SIGNORA BAZARDL 

I Pray you not to confult rae about the 
religious ftate, wlrich your fon propofisi 
to embrace. If I tell you that he cannot do 
better, you will Bftlieve it to be the into- 
fefted language of a man fpeaking in h- 
vour of his Order/, iflanfwcr ontnexon- 
trary, that he had better not think of it, 
you will conclude it is the advice of a Friar 
difgufted with his fituation, or convinced 
that themonaftic life is a life of mifery. I 
will not therefore fay either Yq«, :or No.-— 
Every object has . two feces ; you fliould en- 
deavour CO difcover and adopt that which 
is bed. 
-. If 



C rL rE rM E N T XIV. 27 

Si Iforefaw ;tfaat a candidate would be- 
come eminent cither in learning or piety, i 
vrould employ every eiffbrt to determine 
him.) but when I do not know wlwit niay 
happen, I am .extremely referved, and ne- 
yer ddvife any one to become a Friar. 

I have the honour to be^ &c. 

J^QiiE^.ijthMayy 1748. 



LETTER Vin. 
TO THE PA^EiATE CERATI: 

IWill not |>ardon your depriving the 
Public of a .multitude of anecdotes 
which are familiar to you, and which,^ 
if collected, would prove extremely inte- 
refting. .Henceforth when Lfee you, I will 
take my .pencil and write. What would 
beccone of Science, were all the learned to 
piitfue your plan ? Converfation might be 
brilliant) but reading would not be £0 by 
any means. 

MonfignortTerati ought to think, that 
while, he fpeaks, he is only ufefiil to thofe 
who are about him; but if he would write, 
hcmayproveof feryiceto the moll diftant. 
A good book becomes the patrimony of 
.the whole world, and equally finds its way 



s» LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
to the Ruffian and the Italian. The Pope 
ought to oblige you, under pain of excom- 
munication, to give the PuWfc by means of 
the Rreis, aH that knowledge which you 
now withhold from them. But perhaps, 
having feen foreign countries, you may 
have become fuch a Tramonsancj as to think 
of eluding the judgment of a Roman de- 
cree. Cardinal Porto Carrero faid to me 
lately, when fpeaking of you, he has feen a 
greai deal^ read a greai ied^ and retains eve^ 
ry thing ; but that will heofnoufe to us^ be- 
caufo be will carry his knowledge with Jbim to 
the other world. 

Too much has been written, and I am 
^ieved when I refleift upon all the produc- 
tions which licentious fpirits have brought 
forth; but we fliall never think tiiat'too 
much can be wrote, if the writers were p 
produce the excellent things which you 
know. As for me, 1 will have it printed, 
that they cannot admireyou too much, nor 
jrepeat too often how niuch 

I have the honour to be, He. 



LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. 29 
LETTER IX. 
TO THE MARQUIS CLERICI, A MILANESE. 

ALLOW me to inform you, that 
Jacques Eiovi is in the greateft mir 
fery. I dd not acquaint you with his be- 
ing one of the Pope's foldiers, for that 
would be a poor title of recommendation 
to an Auftrian Officer : but I remind you 
of his having fix children ; that he has kept 
his bed thefe nine months, and laftly, that 
he is yourgodfon. 

Generoftty, which chiefly marks your 
charader^ and which only feeks opportuni- 
ties of giving, has here an opportunity of 
being gratified. If you were one of thofe 
ordinary fouls who never oblige but with 
relu£kance,^ I (hould not think of importun- 
ing you. I do not love to obtain benefits by 
force 4 I wifh them to flow freely from their 
fource, and to have their principle in mag- 
nanimity^ 

I think I fee you fmile at the different 
complexion of this letter from thofe daily 
written to you by the gentlemen of your 
own profeffion. The fignature of Frere 
GanganelU can have no other merit in your 
eyes, except that of (bowing with what 
profound refped 

I have the honour to be, &c. 
Rome, 9th Sept. 1748. , ^^ 

E LET- 



y^ LETTERS OF GANGANELIk 

L LT T E R X. 

TOMADAM ♦** 

TRUE devotion. Madam, ndthci — 
confiftfi \jx z carelefs iair, 4ior in a— 
brown habit. Moft vcnariea imagine, tho'^ 
I don't know why, that cloaths of a dark- 
colour pleafe the cdeftial beings more than, 
tbofeof a lighter and more lively hue^ 
yet we find me Angels are always painted 
either in white or blue, I do not love 
piety which proclaims itfelf ; modefty does 
not depend upon colours; if it be decent 
in drds and manner, it is what it really 
ought to be« 

Obferve, moreover, that the lady who 
talks fcandal in an aflembly, or appears 
peevilh, orTn an ill humour againft man- 
kind, is moft frequently dreffed in brown. 
Singularity is fo little allied to true devotion, 
that we are ordered in the Gofpel to wafti 
our faces when wefaft, that we may not 
appear remaikable. 

I am therefore of opinion, Madam, that 
you (hould make no alteration in the form 
or colour of yourdrefs. Let your heart be 
direded to God, and all your adlions re- 
late to him j and that is the fum of reli- 
gion. 

The 



C L E M E M T XIV. jt' 

The wcMfld would not have ridiculed 
religion fo muchf had not it votaries given 
room for k« Almoft always inflamed 
with bitter zeal, they are never fatisfied 
except with themfelves; and they would 
have every one fubmit to their whams, be- 
caufe their piety is often the tSt6k, only of 
capnce. 

Every perfon who is truly pious, is pa- 
tient, gentle and humble ^ uniufpedting of 
ill, never fplenedck, and conceals mttti 
he cannot excufe the faults of his neigh- 
bour.— Every truly pious perfon laughs 
wib tbofe that laugh^ and ^uoeeps with tbtm 
thai v^eepj according to the advice of St. 
Paul, to be wife with fobernefs^ becaufe 
there (hould be temperance in all things. 

In fine, mie devotion is charity, and 
without it nothing we can do is of ufe 
to falvs^on. Falfe devotees do little left 
injury to the caufe of religion, than the 
openly prophane. Always ready to kiiv- 
die againft thofe who do not agree with 
them in their humours and opinions, they 
have a refttefs, impetuous, perfecuting 
xeal, and are commonly either fanatical or 
fupcrftitious, hypocrites or ignorant. Jefiis 
Chrift does not fpare them in the Gofpel, 
that he may teach us to be on our guard 
^ainft them. 

When you find. Madam, that there is 
neith^ rancour in your heart, nor pride 
in your mind, nor fingularity itv y^^^ ^<^ 

E Z \VS8L 



3* LETTERS OF GANGAN^L-U, 
fions, and that ypUrobferye the precepts of 
God and his church without .affectation or 
trifling, you may then believei vyouare in 
the jway of ,falvation. 

'^ Above all iMngs, make your domeftics 
ha{]py by abftaining from tormenting thetn. 
They ate counterparts of ourfelves, and 
we mould conftantly lighten their yoke,; 
the Way to Jbe 'WcU ferved, Hs to have al* 
ways a ierene countenance. True piety is 
at all times tranquil, while falfe4evotion is 
incciiandy Jiraryingj. 

Support your nieces acoording to their 
lamk, but domox. exadt of them to do pre* 
ciiely.<as you do^ becaufe you han^ a par** 
ticufar tiim for mortification. 

This^tade would ^require a whole let- 
ter. Young people are often di^fted 
withipiety^ becaufe toorgreat ^ erfe£tion is 
required^ and works of penitence. even 
tore ourfelves, wheo they are not moderate. 
The common way of lif^ is the mpft cer- 
tain, though perhaps not therJiioft perfed: 
, -^t is being too violent, to forbid all vi- 
fiting and relaxation, ^ake care that 
your ghoftly iFather be not too myffical, 
. and that his inltruftigns do not end in 
making you icrupulous, rather thana^ood 
Chriftian. 

Does piety require us to be felf-rtormen- 

tors? HcKgion teacheth us what we (hould 

• do, and rwlmt we ought to believe; and 

. hert can be no better inftrudtor than the 



G t E M E N T XIV.' 3^ 
Gofpel. Mingle folitude with fociety, 
and get acquainted with fuch only as will 
neither lead you to melancholy, nor to dif- 
fipation. 

Vary your reading. There are feme books 
for recreation, which may fucceed the more 
ferious. St. Paul, in giving rules for de- 
cent converfation, permits us to fay thingi 
that are chearftil and agreeable; qiugcum^ 
que amabilicti 

It were to ferve God like a Have, to ima- 
^ne we are always^ofFending^ The Yoke 
of the Lord is eafy, and his burden is light* 
Love God, fays St. Auguftine, and do 
what tbou wilt ; becaufe then you will do 
nothing but what is agreeable to him, and 
you will aft with refped to him, as a fon 
towards ar father whom he loves. 

Above all things, be charitable; and the 
more fo, as you are in a fituation to aflift 
riie poor, Religipn has- humanity for a 
bafis, and they who are not diaritable can- 
not be Qiriftians* 

I do not by any means advife you to 
give to conunujiities : befides thatlhcy da 
not want it,, it is not jufl to impoverifli fa- 
milies to enrich them. There is a conti- 
nual outcry againft the rapacioufnefs of 
Monks, and you (hould not give occafion 
for new complaints upon^ that fubfeft. Our 
reputation ought to be our greateft riches, 
which (hould be founded on difmterefted- 
hefs, and the praftice of every virtue. 

E 3 Mxhou^K 



34 LETTERS OF GANGAI*ELU, 

Although a< friend to my profeiTiony I 
fliall never engage any one to make pre- 
fents to us j nor perfuade any body to be- 
come a Monk : I dread giving room for re- 
proach and repentance, as I dread tiring 
ou, (hould I prolong this epiftle, which 
as no other merit in my eyes, than the 
opportunity it procures me of affuring you 
of the refpcft with which I have the ho- 
nour to be. Madam, &c. 

Rome, 2 January, 1749* 



nj 



LETTER XI. 

TO THE REV. FATHER ♦♦*, A FRANCISCAN 
FRIAR. 

My DiAR Friend, 

FO R three days together I have been 
fcribbling over all that you feem to 
defire. I have endeavoured t^ introduce 
into this difcourfe, the pathetic, the fuk- 
lime, the fimple, and the moderate^ fo a&ta 
have where- withal to pleafe different taftes. 
You muft endeavour not only to learn it 
well, but to pronounce it well ; — not mere- 
ly for yourfelf, but likewife for your hearers 
who will he both numerous and refpedtable. 
This littk work will favour of hafte, 
but then it will have the more fire. My 
imagination kindles like a Volcano, when 
I am exceedingly hurried ;. I colleft all my 
ideas, thoughts,, pttce^uoxv^^ ^xA <s.w\i' 



€ I. E M B N T XIV. 35 
mentSy and the whole together bubbles in 
my h^ and upon my paper, mod fur^ 
prifingly. 

Notwitbftanding the warmth which you 
will find in this production, I have arrang- 
ed it as weU as I could. I (hall be fati(^ 
fied with it, if you are iatisfied, and I moft 
earneftly wifh it. 

The war burns more fiercely than ever, ' 
and they write me from Flanders that the • 
towns fall like tiles in a flomu God fend 
the French may always prove conquerors i 
You know how much I love that nation, 
and how much I interefl myfelf in its fuc- 
cefs. I (hould certainly have been born 
in France :-*it is the turn of my heart and 
mind which makes me think fo. 

Do not tell any one that you have heard 
from me. The Monks are acute, and 
they will fufpeft that your difcourfe came 
from me, if you by any means rccal me to 
their remembrance. 

I am always wrapt up in my own 
thoughts, which are either open or referved, 
according to the work which Providence 
impofes upon me, or accident produces. 
My day is often an unintelligible chaos ; 
—I muft pafs from one talk to another ^ 
«nd thefe' extravagances are more unlike 
than white is to black, or day to night. I 
tlien throw myfelf into the vortex of the 
Brotherhood, talking and laughing ab hoc 
i^ ab bac^y becaufe I muft tetiew rcq ^'x&r 
E 4 ^xv«.^ 



v^ 



36 LfeTTERS OPGANGANELLI, 
ence, I am fo much exhauil^d. I fre* 
qpently leave the old folks to chat with the 
young ones, where we joke like children : 
it is the beft way of refrefhiagourfelves af- 
ter quitting deep ftudy, and it was the 
method of the celebrated Muratori. 

Adieu! Love me, becaufe you ought, 
fince I am, as I have been, and always 
ftall be, yowr beft frknd. 

From the Convent of the Holy Apostles. 



LETTER XII. 
TO A CANCMSi OF OSIMO. 

Sir, 

RELIGION fhut up in the bofom of 
God from all eternity, produced it- 
felf the moment that the univeffe fprung 
from nothing, and came to repofe itfelf 
in the heart of Adam. There was the firfl 
temple upon earth ; and it is from thence 
that the mod fervent defires are continu- 
ally exhaled towards Heaven. Eve, form- 
ed in innocence as well as her hu&amd, 
partook of the ineftimable advantage of 
bleffing every inftant the Author of their 
being. The birdsunited their warbtings, and 
all Nature applauded the heavenly concert. 
Such was religion, and fuchits worfhip, 
*till fin came into the world to (lain its pu- 
rity ;-^then innocence fled tiway, and Pe- 
nitence 



<: L E ME N T XIV. 5> 

nitence endeavoured to fupply its i^ce* 
Adam, banifhed from an earthly paradile^ 
found no longer any thingbut briars and 
thorns, where he had formerly gathered 
the fairefi flowers^ and moft: excellent 
fruity. ^ ^ 

The juftl Abel offered hisown heart as 
a burnt-offering to God, arid fealed with 
his blood the love which he had for truth 
and juftice. Noah, Lot,' Abraham, Ifaac^ 
and Jacob,, ferved as guides to one ano- 
ther in observing the law of Nature, as the 
only religion which at that time was f)lea-^ 
fing in the fight of God. 

Mofes appeared like a new ftar feen 
fhiningupon'Moimt Sinai, at the fide of 
the fun of Juftice; and the ten Command-^ 
men is were given him to be obeyed with- 
out any Alteration. Tliunder was the ex- 
ternal fign of this new alliance, and the 
Jewifli people became the depofrtory of a 
law written by Wifdom itfdfl 

Nbtwithffanding the zeal of Mofes and 
Jofliua, and ak^the leaders of the people 
of God, the Chriftian religion alone could 
produce worftiippers in fpirit and in truth. 
Every thing which was efteefned holy be- 
fore that time, already belonged to it ; and 
when it was prefented to the world pro- 
cecdmff from the Incarnate Word, it was 
tftablimed on the ruins of Judaifm, like 
a beloved daughter, filia dileSla^ and it 
changed the face of the whole world. 

E 5 N5\0«.^ei 



jt LETTERS OP GANGANELLK 
Wicked deiiies weie ferUdden^ as well 
^ as wkdbed adions^and the pureft and moft 

*' jftiblime vktues fprung firoia the blood of 
a nmltinide of B4artfrs^ 

The Church fmcttded die Synagt^oe^ 
and the Apolllea who were ks fnllais, had 
fiicceflbrs who weie to tranfinit their office 
to the end of time. According to that 
heayenly pla% and diU dkine oeconomy^ 
the fulmance iucoeeded ta the fhadbw;. 
£>r theold law was only ibe type of Jefua 
Chrift V and the evidence of it after cteath^. 

'- will be the reoompence of fai^ God wilt 
be feen as he is, and the faithful will, reft 
eternally with him. 

Behold ki what manner yw (hould^ fet 
out in your work upon relig|on;r-go %e> 
its fource, and (hew its excellence ;. s^cend 
with it to heaven^ from whence it defcend- 
•d, and whither it will return^ 

Religion will never be perfeftly cfta-^ 

^ blifhed till it has no other principle but 
charity; for neither knowledge nor exr 
terior magmficence conftitute its merits 
but the k>ve of God alone. It is the ba£ls 
of our wor(bip, and if we are not periuadr 
ed of this truths we are only the images of 
tirtue. 
^ I confider religion as a chain, of which 
God is ^ firft link, and which readieth 
to ieternity. Without this tie every thing 
is diflblved and overthrown ; — ^men. are 
features only deferving of contempt ;?— 
^. the 



CLEM E N T XIV. 39 

the univerfe not worth our attention ; for 
it is neither the fun nor the earth that makes 
- fts merit, but the glory of being a part of 
the Supreme Being v and aCccx>rding to tlie 
words of the Apoftles, to fubfift only in 
Jefiis Chrift. Omnia per ipfutn 6? in ipfo 
conjlant. 

Take care that ther^ be nothing in your 
work which is unworthy of your fubjedt j. 
and when you rtieet in your way fome fa- 
mous unbeliever, or celebrated herefiarch, 
overthrow him with the courage which: 
truth infpires, but without virulence or 
oftentation. 

It is fo agreeable to fupportthe caufe of 
a religion which has united every tefti- 
mony of heaven and earth in. its fa- 
vour, that it ihould not be defended but 
with moderation. Flights of genius have 
nothing in conrunon with truth. // isfuffici^ 
ent tojbew religion fucb as it is^ faid the holy 
Charles Borromm6, to make the neceffity of 
it be known. Men who would give upr 
religion^ muft either be reduced to eat 
acorns, or return to their original ftate of 
violence and war. 

I have ftudied religion, more than forty- 
five years, and am always more and more 
itruck with it.. It is too elevated to be of 
human, invention, although the wicked fay. 
it is. Fill your niind with die fpirit of 
God before you begin to write, that you 
may not make «fe of vain words. Where 

the 



4D LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 
the heart is not perfedtly confenting with 
the pen which expreffeth holy truths, it is 
feldom that the Reader can be afTedted. 
Penetrate their fouls with the fiime fpirit 
which God himfelf brought upon earth, 
and your book: will produce wonderful 
effedts. 

What has made The Imitation of J$fys 
Cbrifi io valuable and afTedting, is, that 
^ the Author (Gerfen, Abb6 of Verceil \vk 
Italy) has transfufed into it all that holy 
charity with which he himfelf was divinely 
animated. 

Geribn is commonly confounded with 
Gerfen : neverthelefs it is eafy to prove, 
that neither Gerfon nor Thomas k K^mpia 
were the authors of that matchlefs book ; 
and this I own gives ves/t infinite pleafiire, 
becaufe I am delighted with the thought 
of fuch an excellent work being wrcrte by 
an Italian. There is an evident proof in 
the fifth Chapter erf the fourth Book, that 
it was not a Frenchman who wrote The 
Imitation. It is there exprefled, that the 
Prieft clothed in his (aeerdotal habit carries 
the crofs of Jefus Chrift before him ; now 
all the world knows, that the chafubles * in 
France differ from thofe in Italy,^ in this^ 
that they have the crofe upon their backs ; 
but I will not write a deffertation, being 
content to affure you that I am, &c. 

RoMi» 6th Feb. 1749. 

# Cbafi>bles are a kindo? co^^\i\i\^\!tiA'tT«:^ 
linear at Afa/s. 



C L E M ff N T joy. 4tc^ 

LETTER XIII. 
TO COUNT ALGAROTTI. 

THE Pope is ahvays great, and al- 
ways agreeabte by his bons mots. 
He faid the other day, that he always loved 
you, and it would be a great pleafure to him 
to fee you again. He fpeaks of the Kin^ 
of PnidQia with admiration ; and it muft 
be owned that he is a^monarch whofehiilo* 
ry will make one of the nobleftmonum^nts^ 
• of the eighteenth century. Confefc that t 
am very generous, for he laughs at the 
Court of Rome and the Monks, as mucb 
as poffible. 

Your laff letter is full of philofophy ; — 
I> have (hewn it to our common friends, 
i^ho find in it the fire of Italy, with the 
phtegm of Germany. This mixture works 
wonders ii^ the eyes of men of fenfe and 
genius. 

Cardinal Querinf wilb not be &tisfied> 
without having you fome time at Btefcia ; 
he told, me one day^ that he would invite 
you to come and confecrate his Library ; 
he is enriching it as much as he can^ 
doubdefe that it may be worthy of you. 

You will enliven Bologna when you re- 
turn J the Mufes are not afleep, but they 

1 



4Z . lETTERSF OP GANAKFELLI^ 
utt not fo animated as they were formerly v 
fijch a fpiri t as yours- is ^ii^nted to ele£trify 
the Academicanfi;. 

Rome does not make me forget that 
town where I pafled fo much time* The 
remembrance of the learned men I knew 
there, rendees k always prefents If the 
wiU of die Pontiff did not keep me tied 
here^ I woiUd wtUinglv fp and end my 
days there, i^ng notmng in the career 
wUdi I have to pais, that can^ be miore 
agreeable or more advantageous. I' fliould 
poflEbfs myfelf,. and be perfedUy content, 
tfiough it be but a veiy fmall pofleffion^ 
The domain^ of my knowledge is of {o 
litAc extent, that by deducing my&lf with- 
m my own fpbere,. X am^ confined to the 
fimpieil mediocrity. 

Natural Philofophy telb me from time to 
tiime, that I neglect her ; — I anfwer^ I am 
a> greater lofer than you. But what would 
you! have loe do ?' Theology is become my 
fiivereign, and I mruft obey her without 
referve. They who do not know hei;^fup» 
pofe htt to be a chimera,, or an. idol ;. but 
for me, who confider her under every re- 
lation, and in her whole extent, I acknow- 
ledge her to be the true light of the foul, 
and tlie life of the El^d. Nothing that 
flows from God, nothing that he fays, no- 
tlung that he relates to him, can be trifling 
or indifferent. There is no harm in my 
Pleaching to a philofopher who does not 

com- 



€ L E M E N T XIV. 4^ 
commonly go to church, and whofe re- 
fdence at Potzdam has not fandiified him^ 

There are three men of you theiie, whofe 
talents would be of great tervice to rdigi* 
on, if yotk^ would change their dire£tion.f-»> 
Tou, Nfonf. Voltaire, and Monf. Mauper* 
tuis; but that k not the t6n pJF the prdfent 
age, and you will be in tiie faihion. 

In expe&ation of thii?* miracle, whichk 
God can bring about fome time or another,, 
althou^ there is little appearance of it, 1 
have^the honour to be wkh the hig^ieft re** 



^ LETTER XIV. 
TO THE ABBE LAML 

1 Would gladly reviCt Frefcati, that de* 
lightful dwelling, where the multitude 
of jei3 if CM fhooting up towards Heaven, 
without interruption, is a lively image of 
the elevation, and humiliation ot weak mot* 
tals .r— I have tired my limbsand my eyes 
by walking and obfetving them. The 
country is not agreeable but as we open 
the two great books of botany and aftro- 
nomy^^ the one under our feet, the other 
over oar heads. 

It is wonderful to obferve how the foul 
is elevated one moment to a ftar^ and the 

next 



4*: LETTEHS OF dANGANELCI. 
next fidls down to a grain of fiind; how 
k expands over the immenfity of the hea-^ 
v^ens, and how itflirinks^ back upemitfelf ; 
lioW it analyfefrthe li^t^ anatomifes^an in^- 
fe6t ; how inceflfant are its^^iffies, yer how 
limited its faculties ! We may 6y then 
with Dantg, tbat tbeftmVis Pbegreaii^ wtm^ 
dir of tbeuniverfe: 

The ftudy of Natnre is neoeilary to 
know Ae Author of Nature % and- the 
great Newton (aid^ that an aftronomer or 
Anatomift i^folutefy c^uld not be an 
A&theift^ The air is not perceivable, al- 
though we every where fed its influence ; 
i> is an image or God himfelf^, who^thou^ 
iiivifible, informs u§ fyery inl^ant of his 
prefence andiadtiom 

I have recovered a new. life in the counrt- 
try. to dedicate it more than ever to bufi- 
nefs. One of the ancients laid, that Death 
Ihould find an Emperor ftanding; an^'I 
addi that he Ihould find a Gounfellor of 
the Holy Office with his pen in his hand: 
Yon* wilt allow that thave not placed my- 
k\i anaifs. 

That laft moment is approaching every 
inflant, and time is altnoft nothing. Tte 
paft, the prefent, and the future are fo 
near each other, that one has not leifure to 
diftinguifti them: The year has fcaroe be^ 
gun its courfe when it is at an end. 

I have never wrote a lingle word, nor 
made a (ingle comma, withoixt looking 



CLEMENT XIV: 45- 
it as a point cut off from my life. This 
manner of thinking is the beft means of 
driviag away Ambition ; but I do not be- 
Keve that (he will ever come to knock at 
my gate. ' I defpife Fortune too much for 
her to make me any advances. 

But it is a fmgular good fortune that I 
can afliire you of all the attachment with, 
which I am, 8ec. 

RoMB, 1 2th Od. 1749. 



LETTER XV. 
TO A CARMELITE Nim. 

IT appears, my reverend Mother, that 
God Almighty has preferred mountains ^ 
as the propereft places for difplaying his* 
glory and his^ mercy, h fee by the Scrip- 
tures, that mount Sinai, Mount Tabor^ 
the Mount of Olives^ and Mount Calvary, 
were the mod priviledgcd fpots in the 
world, on account of the miracles which 
were wrought there : and L fee in the Hif- 
tory of the Church, Mount Caffino and 
Mount Carmel as the fouree of two re- 
ligious Orders-, who do- honour to religion 
by their penitence. 

Holy Therefe, your illuftrious Refor^ 
metnXf. is one of the grealeft. fo>3L\^ ^^>a}t 



46 LETTERS OF GANfGANELLIp 
God hatb railed up for the gpod of Chri£^ 
tianity : a parent of the Churdi ficMr her 
knowledge and writings ; and a model of 
penitence by her anfterities. There. i& not 
a cloud which can in the leaft obfcure her 
actions. Always with God to ftudy him ^ 
always with the faithful to inftru£t them ; 
and always in the &me degree of perfecs 
tion ; (he is a prodigy of fcience and of 
ianftity. 

Her works are not fltfHciently known ; 
—the beft is undoubtedly the wonderful 
faarniony which reigns amona^ (b many 
illuftrious females^ to whom (^ is a fup- 
port and model. 

You have no occafion for any inftruc* 
tibns» my reverend Mother, but what have 
been given b3r this great Saint. She bath 
iaid every things (he hath forefeen every 
^ng, and (he hath taught every thing. 
The Nuns cannot choofe a better director ^ 
. «nd it is to her that they (hould addrels 
themiehres^ if their piety has none of thofe 
too keen alOfedions which hurt true devo-^ 
tion. 

Confult holy There& then, and not Bro« 
^ ther Ganganelli, who is the weakeft perfon 
I know. I can only glean after thofe who 
have reaped a full harveft; and all the 
correfpondence that I can have with you, 
is to beg that you will be fo good as to 
pray for roe. The prayera of the Carme- 
btes ar^ the moft agreeable perfume which 

can 



C L, S M £ N T XIV. 47 

aicend to the throne of Go(L But not to 
intemipt that fiknce any longer, whidh is 
prefcribed von, I (hall content my (elf with 
adding: to4liis letter the refpe£i with which 
Ifhallbe, all my life. 

Your mod hmnble, &c. 
At die C«jf TBNT of the H#lt AfostlbSj^ 

LETTER XVL 

TO CARDINAL VALENTI, SECRETARY OP 
STATE. 

IVtosT Emikent, 

THIS letter is the Application of a 
poor Monk, who prays for a poor 
man» who is lefs than nothing in the eyes 
of fiich a Lord as you ; but a fubjedl wor- 
thy erf" all youp attention,, if you look upon 
him with that Chriftian philofophy which 
places mankind on a level,, and diredts all 
your anions. 

The fubjeft in queftion is Dominick 
Baldi, a domeftic who has been long atr 
tached to your fervice, and who has been 
difiniffed for a felly of paffion. As he 
comes from the place where I was born,, 
and I know him to have a number of good 
(qualities, efpecially hi&iingulai; attachment 

to 



i|« LETTERS OF GANGANBLLr,. 
to yon, I venture to fui>pUcaie you in- Ms 
fkvour. 

My Lord, you have a great (oul, and'I 
iam^fure of (bccefs, if you will only hearken 
a little : — your heart wfll be my beft inter* 
ceflbr with you. Men* are not angels ;— 
fervants have their faults,, and^fohavie their 
mafters., 

I ftiould have foliated this &vour in 
gerfon ;. but probably Lihould. hav^ been 
obliged to wait in an anti'<:Kamber, on ao 
count o( the people aiKi. bullneia which 
befet you, and I have not time to lofe. 
There are fo many burdens of every kind, 
impofed upon me,^ that: I ha^e neea of all 
my couraro not to fink under them. 

I£ you hearken to my gcayer^ my^ gra« 
titude ffi^l be as laiting and extenuve, as 
the profound refpeCfewith whidi I am 
Your Eminence's 
moil humble^ tec 



LET- 



X: L Er M E N T XIV. 49 

1L E T T E R XVn. 
TO THE SAME. 

I AM quite vain that an atom fliould fix 
the -attention of jour Eminence, and 
that a poor wretch who had only fuch a 
pitiful >reGommendation as mine, fhould 
be received again into your fervice. This 
goodnefa does you the more honour, as rt 
ihews you to fe a great man without pre- 
judices, that is to fay, a phoenomenon. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
Home, 2id of the Month. 



LETTER XVIII. 

TO THE rPRELATE GER ATT. 

CHAINED down by my 'profeflion, 
tormented with bufmefs, and hur* 
ried away by the times, I cannot difpofe 
of my days foas to be^able to join you. 
I am fb much engaged, .that I have only 
fix hours in the day. t wifli to God that 
all thofe whofe time hangs heavy upon 

their 



i9 LETTERS OfF OAHdANELLt. 
their haads could nuke a prefeat of their 
ipaie moments to me ; not that I might 
I lead a longer life, butdiatlini^ give my- 
/ fdf up to ftiidy mor6 at my eaie» withcmt 
the dread df .beconliqg too contempla- 
five. 

You are happy in being at Phrertice, 
vhereyou have uo court to make except 
to monuments, Hbriiriesy or learned men, 
«ul where there is no ^nger of being iN 
received. 

I will imme^ately fend ytw the naono* 
rial you defire ;-^it fliall be Written with 
all pofltble moderation, becauie it is eon»- 
formaUe widi charity, and becaufe works 
written wMi paflion, thot^h they have 
truth on their lide, do ho fort of good. 
. In ^te of all thdr elegies on the plea-*, 
fures of gardening, it is impoffible for me 
to be fond of them ; I know nothing but 
meadows and liekis. When I have need (^ 
a walk, chance finds me a thoufand little 
charming paths where I exceedingly love 
to wander^ 

ThePope tmly di&harges lis duty, in 
vindicating the memory of Cardinal Nort. 
It would be crtiel to declare a man a here- 
tic, becaufe he follows the opinions of 
the Auguftines or Thomifts; that is to 
fay, dod^rines folemnly approved by the 
Church i but when we are impelled by fa- 
naticifm, we fee nothing, land become deaf 
to reaibn. 



C L E M E N T XIV. 51 
The good Biffaopof Spoleti?o ftill enjoys 
excellent health; he writes to me with as 
much gaiety as if he were only twenty. He 
is like the Pope (Benedia XIV.) who is 
never fad. — He complains that the Her- 
mits who live almoii: under his eye are too ^ 
d il^gated : — it is tf^rowing evil in almoft 
air the communities i — they no longer 
ftudy but in extpMfts . Provided they have 
only die fcarf-fldn ofjthc Sciences, they 
diink th5g5§^]^^eat do^ I dotft 
know to what this will lead us, but I am 
a&aid we (hall infenfibly fall back into the 
ignorance of the tenth century* Science 
is like the moon, which after being feen 
in full, Ihews only her half, and at laft be- 
comes intirely hid. 

Sleep, which I muft not negledt, tells me 
that we muft par t What comforts me is, / 
y^riiat my ^riendlhip for you never fleeps, '^^ 
) and that I am day and night irrevocably 
y -^^-Your moft humble, &ic. 



LET- 



Sz LETTERS OF GANGANEiLF. 

4. E T T E JR XIX, 

TO COUNT ♦ ♦ ♦. 

Sir, 
^ WAS too much the friend of your Fa- 
X ther, and am too nniuch your friend, to 
let you go^ftray as you now do, without 
recalling you to yourfelf Is it pofTible 
:that that dear chfld whom I have feen fo 
gentle, good and virtuous in his father's 
houfe, has fo totally Forgot What he was, ,as 
to become rude, infolent, and irreligious? 
It is with the utmoft difficulty I can per- 
fuade my (elT that it is fo ; but I am fo ofteii 
aflured of it, and by the company with 
whom you aflbciate, -that 1 can no longer 
doubt. 

I beg of you to come and fee me, and 
in the efFuuonV of a heart which tender^ 
loves you, I will tell you, not what anger 
iuTpires, not what prejudice fuggefts, not 
^ wlAt is bitter in reproaches, but all that 
the fincereft attachment can didtate, to 
^withdraw you from that abyfe into which 
bad t:ompany has hurried you. 

You will neither find me an imperious 
monitor, nor an angry pedagogue, but a 
friend, a brother, who will fpeak to you 
as he would to himfdf, with the fame le- 
nity, and with the fame calmaefs. I know 
that youth is fiery, aud t\v2L\. xh^re is great 



CLEMENT XIV. 97 
difficulty in efcaping from the ways of the 
world, when wc are rich^ and given up to 
paffions. But do not honour, decency, 
reafon, and religion fpeak more powerfliliy 
than the pafHons and fenfes ? 

What is man, my dear friend, if he 
takes no counfel but of his corrupted 
heart : Alas ! 1 find within me, as well as 
you find in yourfelf, wherewithal to lead 
me aftray, if I did not hearken to my con- 
fcience and my duty ; for illufion and cor- 
ruption are the only portions of humanity. 

I expedt you with the greateft impatience, 
to ftretch forth my arms and embrace you. 
Do not ftartle at the fight of my cloifter 
or my habit. On account of my profeffion, 
I oug;ht to be the more charitable. We will 
bewail togedier the lofe of a father who 
was fo neceflary to you ; I will endeavour 
to give you fuch advice as to make him 
live again in you, by the excellence of 
your morals. Do not difgrace his memory 
by the fcandal of a diforderly life. 

There is nothing loft yet, if you will 
deign to hearken to me; for I am confi- 
dent that the plan of life which I will trace 
out to you, will reftore every thing as it 
fhould be. Do not be afraid ; I will not 
fend you to do penance either with the Ca- 
puchins or the Chartreux, for I do not 
love violence. God will infpire us : God 

Vol. I. F does 



sT 



98 LETTERS OF GANGANEULI. 
does not abandon thofe who return to hint 
I (hall not llir abroad to-jnorrow, that I 
pay receive you. 



LETTER XX. 
TO THE SAME. 

IS it poflible, my dear Sir, that you not 
only did not come to me, as I requefled 
you would, but that you took care to 
be denied when I came to fee you ? Alas ! 
what woold your father fey, to whom you 
promifed in nis dying moments, that you 
would place intire confidence in my ad- • 
vice, and that you would always make it 
your duty to cultivate my friendfiiip.? 
Once more, what would he fay ? Am not 
I the fame perfon who have carried you fo 
often in my arms, who with the greateft 
plealure have feen you growing, who have 
given you your firft inftrudlions, and to 
whom you have teftified the ftrongeft at- 
tachment, on a thoufand occafions ? 

Would you have me fall upon my knees, 
to induce you to reftore to me your friend- 
Ihip ? I will do fo ; — nothing (hall be too 
much for me, when I am to recal a friend 
to his duty. 

If 



CLEMENT XIV. 99 
If you hiad not a noble heart and a good ^ 
underftanding, I ftiould defpair of your 
reformation, and of my own advice ; but 
you have inherited a worthy foul, and an 
uncommon iagacity. Do you imagine that 
it can bie a pleafure to me to find fault with 
you? None but falie devotees find feris* 
faction in puttmg themfelves into a paf- 
fion* I have happily read the Gdlpel, 
which, is the rule both of your condudt 
and mine, enough to know how Jefus 
Chrift received fmners, and how attentive 
we ou^t to bi^, riot to extinguifh ^the 
fmoaking lamp, nor to break the bruifcd 
reed. I have not forgot that John the Evan* 
gclift got ore horfeback, notwithftanding ^ 
his advanced age, to fearch after a young 
man whom he had bred up, and who 
avoided him. Befides, have not you long 
known me ' for a man who is neither 
haughty nor peevifti, and who can compaf- 
fionate human frailty ?' The more you • 
avoid me, the n»ore I. (hall think you guil- 
ty. Do not hearken to your companions, 
but let your heart fpeak, and I ftiall in- 
ftantly fee you. Mine prompts me never 
to abandon you. I will perfecute you be- 
caufe I love you, and I will give you no 
reft till we are reconciled. 

It is becaufe I am your beft friend that 
I feek to find you, at a time when fcarce 
any of your relations will hear your name 
mentioned. 

F z ^ 



loo LETTEIIS OF GANGANELLI, 

If you dread my remonftrances, I fliall 
fay nothing to you, becaufe I (hall be con- 
vinced that you will accufe yourfelf, and 
allow me no time to (peak. Try. at leaft 
one vifit -, and if it is not agreeable, you 
fhall never fee me more. But I know 
your heart — I know my own — and I am 
certain, that after one interview you will 
have no defire to leave me. 

I ought naturally to have a ^eater 
afcendency over your mind, who have 
known you thefe twenty years, than all the 
young aflTociates who (ufround you, to de- 
vo\J your eftate, and are your friends only 
to nun your health and reputation. 

If my tears can afFedt you, I proteft to 
you that they flow at this inftant, and from 
the moll precious motive in the world- 
Religion and Friendfhip. Come and dry 
them up ; it will pirove to me that you ftill 
remember your father, and are fenlibie to 
the diftrefs of a friend. 

Rome, ill February, 17 50.* 



s >» 



LET- 



-1 

CLEMENT XrV. loi 



LETTER XXI. * 

TO THE ABBE NICOLINI. 

Sir, 

/^TT^HE pi£ture of infidelity you have 
\ drawn alarms, without aftonifti- 
ing me ;— befides its being foretold, even 
to the leaft iota^ in the noly fcriptures, 
the mind is capable of going aftraj^ the 
greateil kngths, when the heart is once 
corrupted. From a defire that there fhould 
be no God to puhifh crimes,^ the wicked 
conclude that he doth not exift— Z)/>// im- 
pus in cordcfiio^ Non eft Deus,, Deiftn leads 
imperceptibly to atheifm; we have no 
compa(s, when we have no religion; it 
is tte only prop by which we can be rea- 
fonably . fupported. 

Notwithftanding the dreadful confe- 
quences. of this new philofophy, I am of 
opinion that we ought not to exafperate 
thofe who profefs it. There are people 
unconvinced who defervedto be pitied, be- 
caufe, aft6r all, faith is a gift n-om God. 
Jefus Chrift, who thunderwl at the Phari- ^ 
fees, faid nothing to the Sadducees. Un- ^ 
t)elievers will be much' eafier led back by 
gentlenefs than by feverity. They affedt a 
haughtinefsto thofe who wound them kcen- 
F 3 \i> 



102 LETTRRS OF GANGANELLI, 

ly ; and the more fo, becaufe they are an- 
fwered frequently with much worife reafon- 
ing than is found even in their own dif- 
courfes and writings. The.moft petty Ec- 
clefiaftic eagerly fets about attacking them, 
without tanking, that though his zeal is 
kudahle, his underftanding by no means 
keeping pace with it, he may do more 
harm than gdod. 

Converts are not made either by decla- 
mation or inveftive. Examples^ re^fon, 
and moderation are wanted, and we ihpuld 
begin by allpwing, thiat religion has indeed 
jnyfteries which are incomprebenfible, and 
which cannot all be explained. There is 
a chain reaching from heaven to earth, 
and unlefs we keep hold of the Jinks we 
iball nev^ confute infidelity. Vague 
declamation is not reafoning. To contend 
with able men in the arts of fophiftry, 
knowledge, method, and preciUon are 
wanted. 

When I meet with people who have the 
prejudices of this new philofopby-, wjiidj 
happens pretty often, I begin by infpiring 
them with confidence, and (peak to them 
with the ^reateft candour. They are fen- 
feble of this, if they have had onlythe flight- 
eft tindure of ediication^ and that at Icaft 
leffens their prejudices. 

Every impetuous zeal wh^ch would 
bring down fire from heaven, excites only 
hatred. The Church has the reputation, of 



CLEMENT XIV. iV 
being of a perfecuting fpirit, in the eyes of 
unbelievers, from many of its minifters 
fliewing a too ardent zeal. A good caufc 
fupports itfelf;— fo that Religion needs 
only to produce its proofs, its traditions, 
its works, and its gentlenefs, to be re- 
fpeAcd. Chriftianity of itfelf overthrows 
every fe6t which may be inclined to 
fchifm, or which breathes a fpirit of ani* 
mofiiy. 

I firequently meet with people who 
really deteft the whole body of the Clergy^ 
and thafe are juft the people whom 1 en- 
deavour to be well with. If I had leifure 
and abilities to combat the new philo- 
fophy, I have the prefumption to believe 
that no Philofoplier would complain of me. 
I would lay down principles which could 
not be denied^ and when I met in my 
way with thofe too celebrated men who 
profe& infidelity, I v/ouM Ihew them 
with the greateft candour, that they have 
not taken the holy Scripture in their true 
fenfe, or that they have no good reafons 
for denying their authenticity. 

I am fenfible I (hould not convert them, 
fmce it i§ God alone who enlighteneth the 
underftanding and changeth the heart ; but 
at lead they would not be fo apt to inveigh 
againft the defenders of Religion. We 
-muft- endeavour to gain fomething^ if we 
cannot gain all. 

F4 If 



i#4 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

If God bears with unbelievers, we ought 
to bear with them, fince they make a part 
of his plan ; and by them religion appears 
ftronger, and the faith of the righteous is 
cxercifed. 

It is not at all furprifmg that ages of fu- 
perftition (hould lead the way to an age of 
infidelity ; — but thefe are tempefts which 
pafs over, and only (hew the face of hea- 
ven more pure and ferene. 

The more that unbelievers increafe, the 
more ought the Minifters of the Gofpel to 
be attentive to render religion refpeftable 
by their love of ftudy, and the purity of 
their morals. Behold a number of things 
which you knew before. — My pen leads 
me on infenfibly ; — it is a fault with which 
I frequently reproaeh it, but it will not 
correal itfelf. I beg your pardon for it, in 
favour of my intention, and in confidera- 
tion of the pleafure I have in affuring you 
of the refpedlful and fincere attachment 
with which"! am, &c. 

It is fome time fince I had any accounts 
of M. Cerati. I am the more uneafy, be- 
caufc he (hould have anfwered me upon 
fomething of confequence. 

Rome, 28 February, 1750. 



LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. f05 



LETTER XXIL 
TO CARDINAL CRESCENCL 

Most Eminent, 

YOU have folvedthe cafe of confcieixce 
as it ought to be, conformably with 
the opinion orthc wifeft Dodlors, and ef- 
pecially according to the fentiments of St. 
Thomas, whdfe fuffrage is of the greateft 
weight. 

The holy Office hath not condemned 
the men his Eminency fpeaks to me of, as 
really having, commerce with the Devilj 
but for abunhg the moft holy words of 
the fervice of the Mafs and the Pfalms, 
to carry on their extravagant operations. 
It is known that forcerers now-a-dajrs 
are not fupernatural agents, and that a 
belief of Necromancy (though according 
to the Scripture the Devil is a red being) 
is almoft always the effeft of fuperftition,. 
or the work of a troubled brain. 

I kifs your hands with the profoundeft 
refpedtj, in expedtation of the moment 
when we (hall kifs your feet, if the pro- 
phecy fttributed to St. Philip of Neri 
takes place, as it is commonly reported. 

FR. L. GANGANELL^ 

RoM£t 1 ft March 9 1750. 



io6 LETTERS OF GANGAKELLI. 

LETTER XXIII. 
TO A GENTLEMAN OF RAVENNA. 



I 



COULD never have (ufpefted that you 

would apply to an obfcure Monk like 

me to decide a family difpute. There are 
a great number of learned Lawyers here,' 
who can give you a proper opinion. 

Befides my incapacity in this af&ir, I 
do not love to give advice in fecular mat- 
ters. I remember that St. Paul prohibits 
every minifter of the Lord from interfering 
in temporals. A man who is dead to the 
world (hould not intermeddle in the affairs 
of it. Every religious Society that negleds 
this maxim, will fink into oblivion looner 
or later ;— as every Monk who intrudes into 
families to know their fecrets, to regulate 
marriages and teflaments, is equally con- 
temptible and dangerous. 

We have too many duties *of our own, 
to have leifuie to bufy ourfelves in other 
people'5 affairs ; and at prefent we (hould 
be detefted, if we dared to attempt it. . We 
made Boife enough formerly, by flriving 
©nly to preferve the ufe or property of 
©ur own rights ; let us not meddle now-a- 
days with the inheritances^ of the world. 
St. Francis, who preached up difintereft- 
ednefe and poverty, would anathematize 

us. 



CLEMENT XIV. ^oy 

us, if he {aw us attempting to undertake 

the province of fecular affairs. 

All that I ought, or can do, is to exhort 
you to peace and concord, and not to (hew 
a criminal avidity for the things of this 
life, which paffeth away, and leaves us no- 
thing but our works. Let us endeavour 
that they be good, that we may not appear 
before God empty-handed. 
Roue, 3d March; 1750. 



I 



LETTER XXIV. 

TO CARDINAL Q^UIRINI. 

Most Eminent, 
LOVE to fee a Library in your Emi- 

neacy's hands ; — one is certain that it 

will not be covered with dull, nor remain 
unemployed. By the manner in which you 
fpeak to me of it, and the difcernment I 
know youpofTefs, itwili be worth the admi- 
ration of tfie curious. I (hall always re- 
member the having paffed a day with your 
Eminency and Cardinal Paffionei, and a 
number of learned men ;— — it will be the 
faireft and mod precious epoch of my life. 
I then faw the moft learned men in Eu- 
rope, and I drank at the fource from the 
two fined intelleftual rivers in the world. 
There they a^tated the moft important 

queftions, 



!o8 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 
queftions, without affedtation, obftinacy 
or pride. Only the half-learned and half- 
wife make themfelves noted by their obfti- 
nacy and vanity ; but what ftruck^me moft 
is, that genius, which does not always ac- 
company learning, feemed there to fpring 
from the womb of fcience, like lightning 
from heaven. 

I (hould have been glad to fee our mo- 
dern Philofophers with thefe two great 
men ; and the more fo, as they would 
have been delighted with their modera- 
tion. Some time ago I reminded Cardinal 
Paffionei of this anecdote j and his memo- 
ry, which is very great, and alwaya ready,^ 
repeated fuccinftly all tfiat was (aid at that 
time. 

I very much wilh, my Lord, to be able 
to accompany you to Mount Caffino. You 
muft appear radiant there, like Mofes up- 
•n Mount Sinai: — it is your center, and 
the cradle in which you have acquired the 
greateft knowledge, to perpetuate the fuc- 
ceffion of fo many iUuftrious men as have 
fprung from thence. 

It appears to me, my Lord, if I dare 
make that confeffion to you, that your laft 
letter to the Proteftant Clergy, is a little 
too dry. Your Eminency knows better 
than I do, how neceffary it is to ufe fweet 
Qil to gain over profelytes! Nothing 
can be added to the profound refpedl with 
which 

I atriy &c. 



CLEMENT TflV. lo^ 



LETTER XXV. 

TO R. P. ORSI, A DOMINICAN, BUT SINCE 
BECOME CARDINAL. 

My Rev. Father, 

I HAVE been twice to call upon yow, 
widiout having the happineis to find 
you, although you are fo fedentary a reclufe. 
I wanted to thank you for the book you 

. fent me. I congratulate Italy on the hap- 
py production with which you have en- 
riched it. M> Fleury had occafion for a 
writer to fill up the chatftns in his hiftory ; 

•for it muft be confeffed, notwithftanding 
the refpeft which I have for his memory, 
that he has (lightly touched a number of 
very important fads. Perhaps he was not 
pofleffed of fufficient memoirs for fome 
articles : we fhould weigh the clmrge well 
before 'we condemn fo great a man. 

In the mean time, I cannot pardon his 
having faid almoft nothing of the Church 
of Ravenna, fo celebrated in the annals of ♦ 
Italy by a multitude of incidents relative 
to its Exarchs. Sometimes it is dangerous^ 
to be follicitous of being too concife ; — 
this gives (ketches only, inftead of fini(hed 
pieces. 

We reproach IVl. Fleury with being too 
zealous for the liberties of the Gallican 

Church ^ 



no LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
Church ; and the French will accufe you, 
my reverend Father, of fupporting the ul- 
tramontane opinions too warmly. 

See then how difficult it is to write to 
{deafe every Government; but fenfible 
men give up to the French and Romans 
their different pretenfions, fo that the faith 
be not affeAed. Every country has its 
opinion, as every individual his wnim* 

I wi(h that your labours may meet 
with a brilliant recompence, not for your 
glory, but the glory of the Church; 
you have no occafion fbr the purple to 
render you illuftrious. As for me, I think 
myfelf the moft honoured of men, when you 
receive with cordiality the . (incerc and rc- 
fpeftfiil fentiments with which I am irre- 
vocably, &c. 
Rome, ixth June, 1750. 



LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. iii 



L L T T E R XXVL 

. f O A P R E L A T E. 

My Lord, 

I HAVE written fo much, that my hand 
ought to be tii^d; but it has more vigour 
riian ever, while it is employed in cxpref- 
ling the fentiments with which you infpire 
me. 

Notwithftanding hw occupatiolis, I have 
done all that you preicribed. I have feen 
the perfon you mentioned •, — I have got 
the better of her refiftance. — She will take 
care of the little orphan, as you dcfire. 
Other people's misfortunes render me fin- 
gularly eloquent \ then my heart, foul, and 
mind, fpeak all at once. 

The Monks are reproached with being 
felfifti ;--in that cafe, I fhould never have 
been one ;— but it is a calumny which I 
will not attempt to refute. The mean- 
neffes of human nature are to be found in 
Cloifters, only becaufe th^re are men 
there : — yet there are men every where. 
This does not prevent our feeing a great 
many virtues in a Monaftery. I proteft 
to you> I am afharaed of myfelf when I 
obferve fome venerable perfonages with 
whom I live, : who are employed in no- 
thing but doing good offices, from niorning 

till 



Ill LETTERS OP GAMGANBLLl, 
till night. The world judges of Com- 
munities vjpnly from Ibme (caadab which 
unfortunately blaze abroad, without at- 
tending to the talents and the yirtvies which 
areperpetuated there. ' 

The monadic life would be very, ho- 
nourable, if it was duly hohouied': and 
men powerful both in words and in 
^irorks would be found there, en. every 
occafion. Eniuklaoii is ablolutely -nDoef- 
4iry in a Qotfii^, to preferve « loVe of 
ftudy ; as ambition is its fcandal and 
ruin. There ifr no greater m^mfter in 
Church or State th^ an hypocritical 
ambitious clergyman, who, proteffing to 
Jbe humble, is pufiS^ up with pride; — 
zjpsba who, woarii^ an oiitiide of po- 
verty feeks only to enrich himfelf^-^ — 
a faUfe devotee, who announces himielf the 
fervant of God, yet is. only the flave o( his 
ownpaffions. ' 

When I think that there are Mbnks^ 
who fly to deftrudion to obtain a wretched 
fuperiorityof rajik or preferment, fubjeft 
to a thoufand vexations and a thouTand 
inconvenienGies, I cannot define naan ; and 
I fay, that he damns himfelf for a very 
little matter. t 

O my dear folitude! my books and liiy 
labours! what vexation would it giverne, 
were I obliged to give you ttpi, ta mix 
in the turauk of bufinefs and honours ! 
Even the title of Majefty should not make 

amends 



(rf 

CLEMENT XIV. 113 

amends to ai man for the liberty he lofes 
when he becomes a king. 

I was taught to believe from my ear- 
lieft days, that the honour of having an 
immortal foul is the greateft poflible glory ; 
and happily I have retained the leffon, 

I would not fay this to all the worlds 
for there are very few capable of compre- 
hending it } but you, who have a relilh 
for the ineftimable pleafitres of exifting 
and thinking, underftand me. I em- 
brace you with all my heart, and am 
without rcfervc. 

Your friend, 
and fcrvant. 

RoMBi 6tli November, 1750. 



LET- 



1 1* LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

LETTER XXVII. 
TO MONSIGNOR HENRIQ^UEZ. 

My Lord, 

YOU deigatoconfultme, while it is I ra- 
ther that have need of your counfel. 
Your underftanding'and piety are known, 
and every one conreffeth that you are the 
beit ^ide, and the mod learned Dodtor. 

However, to fhew my obedience, I mufl 
fay that the depofit ought to be fent to 
Peter y although, it was deftined for him 
by Jobttj folely an account of his attach- 
ment to the Roman Catholic religion, and 
tho' he has unfortunately changed his 
faith. 

It is only neceflary to acquaint him with 
the intention of his benefactor, when he 
made that bequeft in his favour. But I do 
not think that the perfon charged with the 
depofit, can withhold it from him becaufe 
he has changed his religion. 

You fay, my Lord, that there are peo- 
ple who maintain that it may be made a 
gift to fome JMonaftery j and I dare af- 
fert, Monk as I am, that it would be an 
unjuft appropriation : — in the firft place, 
becaufe it fhould be given to him to whom 

it 



CLEMENT XIV. uj 
It was bequeathed ; fecondly^tecaufein the 
partition of property^ families ihould always 
have the praercncc ; thirdly and laftly, be- 
caufe the poor, who have no means of fiib- 
fiftance, ought chiefly to be fupported. 

Providence is the refource of Commu- 
nities, and their dependanCe ou^tto be 
rather upon That, than on human means. 
All religious Orders are only eftimable as 
they imitate Jefias Chrift ; but we too often 
have • feme worldly views for the fupport 
of Monaiieries, without reflcaing that the 
true jCbrUlian has no permanent habita* 
tion ia this world, and that nothing hap- 
pens but as it pkaietb God. 

Ncverth^^fs I fiibmit my judgment to 
yourPj^ never having any obftinate attach- 
ment to my own opinions. I diTplay them 
conformably to die d}<5tates of my oon* 
i£ieace,'and I take every poffible precau- 
tion to be iiiformed ; for tbenc is no evil 
we ut fiot capable of, even while we pur* 
pofe doing good, if we have no odier 
guide than aa igaonant devotion. 

I have the honour to be, &c* 



LET- 



ir6 LIETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

LETTER XXVIIL , 
TO THE ABBESS OF A MONASTERY. 

My MOST? Rev. Mother, 

FR O M the narrative which you have 
fent me, it appears that you cannot 
conveniently take vigorous meafures. If 
your Nuns are become diflipated> and they 
lead you as they pleafe, there is an end or 
fill rule, ttffipation, and efpecially the 
Parlour, are the ruin of all Convents of" 
Nuns. RecoIle£tton and application 
only can preferve order in the different 
Communities. The Cloifter is* an in- 
fupportable yoke, while the world is to be 
feen, and the more frequent opportunities 
the Nuns have of converfing, the more they 
muft become difguiled with their condition. 
I fuppofe that you frequently aflenible 
your Community, and, like a good mother 
who loves her children^ fpeak the e& 
fufions of your heart to them, upon the 
neceffity of fulfilling their duties. I 
would then have you to endeavour to per- 
fuade them, that your confcience re- 
proaches you for your ill-placed lenity; 
and that if you are obliged to appear 
more fevere, it is becaufe you have a 
foul to be faved. 

When 



CLEMENT XIV. ,,7 
When your Nuns find that you are not 
governed by any harfhnefe of temper, but 
by a dread of failing in your duty to God, 
they will hearken to you with refpedt, or 
will be of the number of the foolifli Virgins 
who have neither oil nor light in their 
lamps to go and meet the bridegroom. 
This would be the moft afFefting mis- 
fortune that could happen; and then, 
when you have exhaufted every refource 
which pnidence and charity didtate, you 
muft employ the lawful authority of a 
Superior to reform them. 

feutj my reverend Mother, I prefume 
tHat you ^ill not have occafion to come to 
^his extrerhity. They will murmur againft 
you for fpme time, but the anger of Nuns 
pafleth like a ftiower,^ provided there be^ 
no cabals nor parties^ but then God 
only can difpel them. 

it is difficult to refift a Superior, who 
prays, begs and humbles herfelf; who em- 
ploys tears, rather than reproaches, toafFedt 
and perfiiade. Ah! I wim to God that this 
was the ordinary language of all Abbeffes ! 
But alas ! there are too many, who, intoxir. 
cated with chimerical rank, without merit,, 
but having a great deal of caprice and 
haughtinefs; live apart from their Nuns,. 
and pafs much of their tipie at their toilets, 
and in the parlour. Thefe are foolifli 
Virgins (yet perhaps they do not deferve 
that name), who are the ruin and fcandal 



ti9 LETTERS OF GAhTGANELLI. 

of Communities,, and abide in them only 
Hke vrafps in a hive, to devour the honey 
and to breed confufion. 

In aiking ray advrce, Madam, you have 
hnpofed upon me a fevere talk, for I have 
no talent for diredting, Nuns efpe- 
cially. I think like our Father St. Fran- 
cis, pardon my fincerity, whofaid, ibai 
God has debarred us from having tjoivesy that 
we may he mfpired witb a defirz of being re- 
hgious ; bat I am afraid tbe Devil bss given 
m Sifters to torment us. He knew how dif- 
ficult it is to direft Nuns, afthough there 
arefome among them exceeding docile, 
and of excellent undetflartdrags ; — there 
is not even a ffngle Community in which 
tftere are not fbme worthy; of ttaf hrgheft 
encomiums. 

After all this, Madam, I muft beg of 
you not to addrefs me again upon. this fub- 
ytOi ; and the rather, becau(e I have not 
time to answer you, and that \ can lay no- 
thing better than what your rules tell 
you. Talk but little with your Dircftors, 
and a great deal with God, and peace will 
flourifti again in your Abbey. I wilh it 
on your ov/n account, and foj the' honour 
of religion, being wth all poffible re- 
Ipeft, &c. 

Rome, lothofNav. 1750. 

LET- 



7 ' 
CLEMENT XIV. 119 

LETTER XXIX. 

TO THE ABK: LAMI, PERIODICAL WRITER 
AT FLORENCE. 

1 Always read your writings with plea- 
fure, my dear * Abb6, but I wi(h you 
would always give the reafons of your cen- 
iiires. Inftead of fayrng, for example, tbaf 
iie fiyk of fucb a work is incnrre^-^ that 
there are trifles whicb disfigure the beauty 
of the hook \ you fliould plainly fhcw it. 
Rules have always need of examples. 

How would you have ah author corredl 
himfelf, and tne Public adopt your man- 
ner of judging, if you only cenfure vaguely, 
and do not point out the place where the 
writer has forgot himfelf ? 

There is hardly any book of which it may 
not be faid, that it contains fome carelefs or 
afFedted expreffions. When you fpeak in 
general,, it gives room to believe that you 
have only glanced your eye over the work 
of which you are giving an account, and 
, that you are in hafte to get rid of the 
trouble. 

Another orniffion is, your not (hewing 
the beft parts of the work. The good 
tafte of the Journalifl (Reviewer) requires 
that he fliould be attentive to this. If a 
work is not worth the trouble of reading, 
it is better not to announce it at all, than 

to 



Ito LETTERS OF GANGANELU, 
to rail at the Writer. It is illiberal to abufe 
a work merely to make the Public merry at 
the expence of the Author. 

It were to be wiftied that Rome would 
adopt the pradtice o( Paris, and that we 
(hould have feveral periodical ftieets ap- 
pear fucceffively. We have only a mife-r 
rable Diario (Journal), which contains no* 
thing but infipid AiifF, without the leaft in- 
ftruftion. The duty of an enlightened 
Reviewer is both neceflary and honourabk, 
in a country where letters are cultivated. 
Nobody knows better than I do what a 
country owes to a Writer who ties himfelf 
down to give an analyfis of the books that 
are printed, every week, or every month, 
to make known the genius of the nation. It 
is the leaft expenfivc, and the moft com- 
pendious method of extending knowledge, 
and of teaching to judge foundly. 

I fhould have no idea of the ftate of lite- 
rature in France, if Jt were not for the 
French Journals, which my friends are fo 
obliging as to fend me. When they are 
fevere without fatire, exad without trifling, 
juft and never partial, they difcharge their 
duty to the fatisfaftion of the Public. 
Mine is compleat, every time that I can 
renew to you the fentiraents of efteem and 
afFe&ion with which 

I am, &c. 
Rome, 2d, March, 17 50. 

LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. 77 



LETTER XXX. y 

TO COUNT ♦** 

IT is incredible, my deareft friend, how* 
much your three vifits have comforted 
my foul ;-- the tears you (hed in my pre- 
fence, the confeflion you made to me, in 
joining your cheek to mine, while you 
prefled my band, and protefted that you 
would never forget the anxiety with which 
I endeavoured to find you out ; the afFedt- 
iag na^nner in which you promifed me to 
amend your pad life, and endeavour fe- 
rioufly to re-enter into favour with God, 
can never be effaced from my memory nor 
from my heart. I always (aid to myfelf, 
" He hath bad a chriftian education — he 
will return to his duty ; — I (hall fee him 
again; his wanderings are but a ftorm, 
which will difperfe." God be praifed, the 
calm is returned ! — It is not to me, but to 
him alone, that you (hould be thankful. 

Since you wi(h that I fhould lay down 
a plan to guide you, I fhall (imply trace 
out fuch an one as my weak underftanding 
but ftrong friend(hip infpires: — it fhall be 
Ihort. The Commandments of God, thofe* 
lirft and fublimc laws, from whence all 
others are derived, may be reduced to a 
few words. Precepts that are clear and 
Vol. I. G ' lo>\vA^\ 



78 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
founded upon reafon, as well as happinels, 
have no need of commentary or differ- 
tation. 

Read every morning the parable of the 
Prodigal Son ;— repeat the Pfalm MifererCy 
with an humble and contrite heart; — 
That may ferve for prayer. Read fomc 
religious books in the courfe of the day, 
not like a flave to finifti his tafk, but as a 
child of God who returns to his Father, 
and hopes every thing from his mercy : 
and that it may not difgufl: you, your 
reading need not be long. Acquire the 
habit of going to Mafs, as often as you 
can, but never fail on Sundays and Fefti- 
valsi — all: ft there like a fuppliant who 
beggeth pardon, with hopes to obtain it. 

Make it a duty to fcatter fome charities 
every day into the bofomsof the poor, that 
you may repair the wrongs you have done 
them, in fquandering on criminal pleafures 
v^ and fuperfluities what was due to them. 
Renounce thofe companions who have 
eftranged you from God, from yourfelf, 
and from your true friends; and form 
fuch new connexions as honour, decency, 
and religion, may avow. It is eafy to 
difmifs debauched aflbciates, without af- 
fronting them. Speak openly to them of 
^/^ the plan of life you mean to purfue ; pro- 
pofe to them to follow it ; talk to them 
only of regretting the paft, and forming 
good refoluuons for the future, and they 

^41 



CLEMENT XIV. 7s;, 
will foon difappear ; or, if they return, it 
will be a proof that they have altered 
their condudl \ and then, inflead of ihun- 
ning them, receive them with more plea- 
fure than ever. 

Walk often, left retirement (hould make 
you grow melancholy ; and provide, if pof- 
nbie, fomc perfon ripened by experience, 
or fome virtuous young man, for a com- 
panion. Walk alone as feldom as can be 
avoided, and efpecially in thefe beginnings, 
while your refolutions are not well confirm- 
ed. It may happen, that by giving way to 
vague thoughts you may foon grow tired of 
yourfelf ; and again relapfe into your for- 
mer courfe of life. 

Read fome agreeable but inftructive 
book to entertain yourfelf in virtuous 
chearfulnefs. Melancholy is the wreck of ^ 
yopng people who are employed about 
their converfion : — they are always draw- 
ing a parallel between the diflipated life 
they have led, and the ferious life which is 
prcfcribed them; and they end with re- 
turning to their former courfes. 

Take an exadt account of your debts 
and your income, and by your oeconomy 
you will find wherewithal to pay your cre- 
ditors. A man is always rich, when he 
is in the habit of depriving himfelf of < 
indulgences ; as he is alway poor while he 
refufes himfelf nothing. 

G z ^^^ 



Ho LETTERS OF GANGANELLt, i 
V" You (hould fettle an annuity for it^\ 
J iipon the woman you have feduced, tlvitl 
/ /" • ^^"^^y not o blige her to continue €8 1 
(i/ii ir?egular life; but upon condition thti 
Ihe goes to a diftance from you: — aa- 
y^*j^ nounce your intentions TrTwriting, Jjcg* 
T/ /ging pardon for haying^feduced her, 
^'^ /"and. conjuring her to forget the creature, 
that (he may .be more attached to her 
Creatoji^ ""^ 

y ""WEen opportunities offer, of enjoying a 
' little fociety, do not refufe them, becaufe 
ypu may be properly employed there; and 
becaufeyou will be fqcuredffrom the raillery 
of the world, which feeks to ridicule vpiety. 
Drefs like the reft of the world, accord*' 
ing to your rank of Irfe^ without being 
either too foppifh or too negligent True 
religion ftiuns extremes; — it is only whca 
conterfeited, that men affeft .a flovenly 
drefs, a declining head, an auftere counte- 
nance, and a whining tone. 

Difmifs the lervants who were accOTi- 
plices in your intrigues, and the Iharcrs 
in your guilt ; although, after having ex- 
pofed them to fcandal, it would be proper 
to fet them a good example, yet it is to be 
dreaded, from their knowing your weak- 
nefs, that they may lay fnares to lead you 
back into the road to perdition. You are | 
ftill young enough to fecure your heart 
with proper guards and fences. 

You fhould li e with your new domeftics, 

whofc 



CLEMENT XIV. 8i 
lofe abilities and fidelity have been pro- 
fly recommended to you, as a mailer 
10 knows the duties of humanity ; as a 
uiftian who knows that we are all equal 

the l^ht of God, notwithftanding the 
equality of conditions ; — you will fet 
em none biu good examples; watch 
w their manners, without being either 
tpant or a fpy ; and attach them to 
)u by your gentlenefs and by your kind- 
ifles. Nothing can- be fo flaitering as to 
nder thofe happy who live with us. 

I exhort you to vifit the Chapel in the 
ifide of the Chartreux, which was built 
y the order of Cardinal Cibo, whofe me- 
lory I refped. Rather than mix his allies 
ith thofe of his illuftrious progenitors, 
hich reft in fuperb monuments, he v/ould 
5 interred iii the midft of his domeftics, 
hofe epitaphs he made, contenting him- 
If only with thefe words, full of humi- 
ty, Hicjacet Cibo^ vermis immiindus^.. 

This tomb is abfolutely hidden from, 
le fight of men ; but God- to whom all 
lings are known, will make it manifeft 
: the laft day, which will be a fad reproacJi 
► thofe proud men who are vain- even in 
leir coffins. ■,^tr^}r c^i^u. '.t. T'^.V - :.. 

You muft think of taking fon^e cliarge 
pon you which will give you employment. 
Vt always do arnifs when we do no tiling. 

* Hei^Iies Cibo, an'unclean worm. 

' G 3 ' Examine 



82 LETTRRS OF GANGANELLI, 
Examine your mind, confult your tafte, alk 
your foul, but, above all, addrefs yourfelf 
to God, that you may know what is fit for 
you, whether civil or military. The life 
of an Ecclefiaftic is by no means proper 
for you. We ought not to carry into tlic 
Sanctuary the remains of a heart ftained 
by a commerce with the world, unlefs the 
will of God is manifefted in an extraordi- 
nary manner i which is very rare, and 
much more to be admired than imitated. 

Your friends will think next of mar- 
rying you, and it is my advice not to defer 
it tco long. Marriage, \\hen made with 
purity of heart, prefer ves young people 
from a multitude of hazards j but do not 
reckon upon my choofing a wife for you. 
From the moment I embraced my profef- 
f?on, 1 promifed to God that I would never 
meddle in marriages or teftaments. A 
A^onk is a man buried, who ought not to 
Ihew any figns of life but for things pure- 
ly fpiritual, becaufe the foul never dies. 

Your relation, with whom I have hap- 
pily reconciled you, is a man of fenfe, ho- 
nefty, and integrity, and in a fituation to 
marry you properly. Religion and reafon 
ought to be confulted more than inclina- 
tion, in an eftablifhment that is to laft for 
life. We rarely fee marriages happy, which 
have no other motive than love. That 
pafllon does wonders in poetry and romance, 
but in real life produces t\o gpod effedt. 



CLEMENT XIV. .83 

1 do not fpeak to you of your expences, 

Ivor of your table. With fuch principles 

as I lay down, they muft be moderate. 

Invite frequently fome virtuous friend to 

. dinner. I do not like to fee you alone, 

and I recommend to you to be fo as little 

as poffible, except when you are at your 

prayers or reading •, — it is not good for man i^ 

to he alone J faith the Scripture. 

Do not go to your eftate but now-and- 
then. If you take up your refidence in the 
country at this time, you will bury your 
good rcfolutions, as well as your education. 
Rural focieties lead only to diffipation ; and 
however little they are frequented, the ei- 
feft is, that you forget what you knew, ^ 
and become ruftic, illiterate, and clownifh. 
Hunting, love, and wine, too often be- 
come the paftimes of men who live con- 
ftantly in the country. Towns poliHi the 
manners, adorn the mind, and prevent the 
foul from gathering ruft. Do not be fcru- 
puloufly €xaft about the hour of rifmg or 
going to bed. Order is neceffary in all 
ranks, but conftraint and formality too of- 
ten produce narrow-mindednefs. 

If you look upon religion in the great, 
as it ought to be viewed, you will not find 
in it the puerilities of trifling devotion. 
Never open thofe myftical or apocryphal 
books which, under pretence of .nourifhing 
piety, amufe the foul with infignificant cere- 
monies, leaving the mind without U^ht^ 
G 4 ^xA 



84 LETTERS OF GANGANELtl, 
and the heart without compundlion. True 
Devotion^ written by the celebrated Mura-. 
tori, will preferve you from all the dangers, 
of a miftaken credulity, I advife you to 
read that work again and again ; and you 
will profit by it. 

Do not receive indifcriminate counfels ; 
for in the difeafes of the foul, as in thofe 
of the body, every one offers his advice. 
Avoid the hypocrite as well as the diffir 
pated i both the one and the other t^ill 
hinder ycu frcm arriving at the point we 
propcfe. I will not look upon you as a 
convert, till you have been a long time 
proved. It is not eafy to pals from liber- 
tinifm to the pradice of virtue :— it is for 
that reafon that I recommend, for your 
Diredor, the good Francifcan, who was 
your Father*s friend, and is mine. He is 
an excellent guide in fpirituals -, and if he 
keeps you fome time before you are ad- 
mitted to the participation of the holy 
myfleries, it is becaufe he would be affured, 
with reafon, that you are changed, and 
follow the conftant praftice of the Church. 
Do not be afraid of his feverity y — he 
will join the tendernefs of a father to the 
fteadinefs of a wife diredlor : — he will not 
opprefs you with attentions to externals, 
as lefs knowing ConfefTors generally do. 
If you have finned through pride, he 
will point out to you the means of hum- 
bling yourfelf:— if through fenfuality, 

he 



CLEMENT XIV. 85 

e will prefcribe remedies to mortify you ; 
linking, with reafon, that the wounds of 
le foul are not to be healed by repeating 
ayers in hade, but by labouring to reform 
e heart. The generality of Sinners, for 
ant of this method, pafs their lives in of- 
nding God, and then con feflmg. 
Above all things, let there be no excefs 
your piety ; take no violent courfes ; they 
11 be the means of your relapfmg. 
Behold, my dear fon, my deareft friend, 
lat I thought my duty to (ketch out for 
u. I could not ufe more tendernefs, if 
u were my own. You will make me die 
th grief, if the refolutions you fo lately 
tared into, in my prefence, (hould vanifh. 
hat encourages me is, that you are a man 
truth, that you love me, and are fully 
nvinced that I fmcerely wifti you well ; 
d in the laft place, that you have found 
liforderly life to be an affemblage of vex- 
on, torment, and remorfe. 
Hearken to the voice of a Father crying 
you from the bottom of the tomb, that 
ire is no happinefs in this world but for 
z friends of God, and charging you to 
ep the promife.you formerly made to 
n, of living, with the help of heaven, 
I life of a good Chriftian. 
I am a great deal more attached to ypu 
m to mylelf. 

Convent of the Holy Apostles, 
20 Nov. 1750. 

G5 p.s. 



86 LETTtRS OF GANGANELLI. 

P^S. I Ihall certainly reconcile you to 
all your family, except perhaps the Mar- 
chioi^efs of R***, who is too much a 
devotee ever to pardon you. I expeft you 
to drink chocolate on Saturday, and to 
communicate a letter to you from poor 
Sardi, an old fervant of your mother, who 
is really in want. You do not require 
much time to come from Viterbo to Rome, 
cfoecially if you have horks wbicb can go 
afoot. 



LETTER XXXI. 

TO PRINCE SAN SEVERO, A NEAPOLITAN. 

My Lord^ 

I BEG to prefent my moft humble thanks 
to you for the great civilities you 
(hewed M. Wefler upon the recommenda- 
tion of fo inconfiderable a man as my- 
felf, who do not rank either with the great 
or the learned. He is exceedingly vain of 
fo flattering a reception. He talks with 
eniLhufiafm of all that you have thought of 
•for promoting natural philofophy, and the 
honour of Philofophers. There are always 
new difcoveries to be made equally ufeful 
and curious. 



CLEMENT XIV. 87 
Naples is the moft proper town in the 

, world to cxercife the genius of the learned. 

t It prefents on all hands phenomena of 

* every kind, which engage the attentionr 
Its mountains, its caverns, its flones, its 

• waters, and, if we may ufe the expref- 
fion, the fire with which it is penetrated, 
are fo many objefts to be examined. 

I am not at all furprifed, that the King 
himfelf is flattered with your labours and 
your fuccefs. ■ Every Monarch who knows 
his own glory, knows how much the cre- 
dit of the learned is refleded back upon 
him, when he protedls them. If thofe Ge- 
niufes who are capable of great things were 
encouraged among us, Italy would fee great 
men of every kind fpring up from her bo- 
fom once more. The feeds of talents ftili 
remain -, — they want only to be cherifhed, 
to flourifh with magnificence. 

But the Artifts now begin to lofe that 
creative genius which worked wonders. 
Their beft pidtures and bell ftatues are only 
like copies : we may fiy, that they force 
the pencil to work in fpite of itfelf. There 
is a hardnefs in the drawing, inftead of 
that fweet foftnefe which is admired in our 
firft Painters; and we abfolutely want 
that expreflion which is the foul of paint- 
ing. 

We are more rich in Writers. We have 
{lin fome, who for energy of ftyle, and 
beauty of images, may be placed by the 



8B LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 
fide of the Ancients ; fuch as the Abh6 
Buom-FedCy of the Order of Celeftines. 

This is an obligation which we owe to 
our language. By its charms it engages u& 
to the culture of letters, as you by your 
talents engage all the world to tell you^ 
that there is nothing more flattering than to 
be able to aflare you of the refpedt and ad- 
miration with which, &c. 

Rome, lyih Jan. 1750. 



LETTER XXXII. 

TO ONE OF HIS FRIENDS, A FRIAR, AP- 
POINTED PROVINCIAL. 

DIGNITIES afFea me fo little, that I 
have not courage to pay my com- 
pliments to thcfc who are invelled with 
them. It is an additional fervitude which 
muft be added to human mifery, and the 
more to be dreaded, as it expofes us to 
pride. Man is fo wretchedly filly as to deck 
himfelf with trifling honours, which are 
mere outfide (how, and forget an immortal 
foul to feed upon chimerical prerogatives, 
which laft only a few days. Even in the 
Cloifter, where all ought to be dlfinterefl:- 
tdnefs, felf-denial, and humility, we are 
as vain of fome preferments, as if we had 
the command of kingdoms. 

I make 



CLEMENT XIV. 89 
1 make thefe rcfleftionsihe more willing- 
ly to you, becaufe your turn of mind fcts 
you above all honours, and you have on- 
ly acquired authority to confer happinefs. 
I am convinced that you will perfectly 
temper feverity with gentlenefs; that a 
cloud will never be feen on yoiu* counte- 
nance, nor unevennefs in your temper; 
that you will always be a brother to tliofe 
over whom you are become Superior ; that 
you will endeavour to prefer them accord- 
ing to their inclination and abilities; and 
that you will employ no fpies, except to 
difcover the merit of thofe who are too mo- 
deft to let it appear. 

Thus you will do yourfelf honour by 
the manner in which you will difcharge your 
duty, and every one muft defire to fee and 
detain you ; wjbi'e there are fome Provin- 
cials whofe vifits are dreaded like a tem- 
peft. Above all things, take care, my dear 
friend, of the old men and the young peo- 
ple, that the former may be fupported^ 
and the latter encouraged, as they ought to 
be. Thefe are extremes which appear very 
diftant, yet approach very near, fmce 
every young man grows older every inftant. 
Oblerve moderation in all your proceedings, 
and think it much better to yield to an 
excefs of mildnefs, than to give way to too 
great feverity. 

Speak nobly of Religion, but let it be 
well-timed 5 for people avoid thofe who 

are 



90 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
are perpetually i^eaching. Jefus Chrift 
did not make long difcourfes to his difci* 
ples^ but what he faid to them is tbefpirit 
and the life. Words have moft force, 
when they are (hort and pointed. Let 
there be no affeftation in your manner; 
there are people who imagine that every 
thing ought to be formal about thofe in 
power ; but thefe are litde minds. 

I will not mention duplicitjy, unfortu- 
nately too much pradtifed by the Heads 
of religious houfes. I flatter myfelf, from 
the good opinion I have of your merit, that 
you will not prefer a complaint againft any 
one, without having feveral times warned 
him of your intention, or without previ- 
oufly acquainting him. Be afraid of find- 
ing any guilty, and when you meet fuch, 
humble yourfelf by this refledion, that 
man of himfelf is incapable of doing any 
good. Be communicative, for we Ipfe 
much of the good-will of thofe we govern, 
by difguftingcoldnefs. In a word, be your- 
felf what you wifhed a Provincial to be, 
when you was an Inferior. But we too of- 
ten exadt from others, what we ourfelves are 
not inclined to give. Diflinguifh the faults 
by the motives and circumftances; and 
know, that though, there are fome which 
ought to be puniftied, there are others which 
ought not to be feen, becaufe every man 
has his imperfections. 

Have 



e L E M E ^J T XrV. 91 

Have few confidents; but when you 
make any, let it not be by halves ; for 
they will divine the reft, and are not ob- 
liged to be fecret. Be fure to have no 
predilection in favour of one rather than 
another, except on account of fuperior me- 
rit. You are then authorifed by the ex- 
ample of Chrift himfelf, who teftified a 
particular afFedtion for St. Peter and St. 
John. 

Finally^ pafs into the Houfes like a be- 
neficent dew, fo that they ftiall regret the 
time when you leave your office, and fay 
of you, Tratffit benefaciendof. 

Love me as I love you, and look upon 
this letter as the tranfcript of my heart. 

My compliments to our common friends, 
efpecially our refpedtable old man, whofe 
good advice has been moft ufeful to me, 
and to whom my gratitude is immortal. 

Rome, 31ft Jan. 1751. 



LETTER XXXIII. 

TO MADAM THE MARCHIONESS R*** 



I 



Madam, 

T is undoubtedly very diftrefling to 
your dear relation M. the Count, that 

you 
fHe /cattered bleifings as lit ^^{[^&, 



92 LETTERS OF GANGANELU, 
you will not be reconciled to him, not- 
withftanding his vifit, and the humble and 
afFedting letter he has written to you. 

Is it thus God Almighty deals with us ? 
What will the world think of your piety, 
when they fee you fo exafperated as to 
rejedt the prodigal fon f For my part. 
Madam, who have not your virtue, I flew 
. to him as foon as I knew that he was gone 
aftray, and I hope that God will reward 
me for it. 

You are always repeating. Madam, that 
he has loft a great deal of money, and that 
he is a bad man. But what is even the 
lofs of gold, that you fliould fo much 
regret it? You ought only to be grieved 
at the abufe of fo many good qualities as 
he poffeflTes ; and think, if he is really a bad 
man, that he has more need than ever of ^ 
advice, and the example of the truly good. 

It is having a very bad idea of religion,, 
to forfake a young man b^caufe he has V 
gone aftray. 

Ah ! how do you know. Madam, that 
this bad man will not next day be accept- 
able in the fight of God, while your fer- 
vices may by no means pleafe him ? For 
truly one grain of pride is fufficient 
to fpoil the beft aftions. The Pharifee 
who fafted two days in the week was re- 
jefted ; and ilie Publican who humbled 
himfelf wasjuftified. 

Charity, 



CLEMENT XIV. 9j 

Charity, with regard to all men, is al- 
ways charity; this I fhall never ceafe to 
repeat, as perfectly agreeable to the mo- 
rals taught in every Chriflian fchool, and 
from all pulpits. 

If the mercy of God depended upon 
certain devot6es, finners would be much 
to be pitied : — falfe devotion knows no- 
thing but an externmnating zeal j while 
God, full of patience, genllenefs, and for- 
bearance, waits the amendment of all 
thofe who have gone aftray. 

Even the blood of Chrift implores your 
forgivenefs; and it is not having a proper re- 
fpedt for him, to refufe your dear relation 
admittance into your houfc. How do you 
know. Madam, but that his falvation de- 
pended upon thofe very faults of which 
he now rfepenteth ? God frequently per- 
mits great diforders to awaken men out of 
a lethargy. You are not ignorant that 
there is more joy in Heaven over one fin^ 
ver that repenteib, than over ninety and 
nine juft perfons that need no repentance, 
Befides, will you continue your refent- 
ment while the angels rejoice ? That 
would be ^ fhocking fort of piety^ in- 
deed! 

I tremble for every devotee who be- 
haves with fuch rigidity; for God Al- 
mighty himfelf affurei? \is, that he will 
treat us as we have treated others. Be fo 
good as to read the Epiftle of St. Paul to 

Philemon, 



94 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
Philemon, on the fubjedt of Onefimus, 
and there you will know, Madam, whe- 
ther you ought to pardon. 

It is not for us to decide, whether the 
heart of a man who appears to have enter- 
ed ferioufly into himfelf is truly changed. 
Befides,.. as God alone can know the truth, 
we ought to prefume that he has reformed. 
Would you think it veryjuft in your neigh- 
bours, who are the witnefies of your good 
works, if they fuppofed that you a£ted only 
fron} pride ? Let us leave to the Searcher of 
all hearts to pronounce what are the motives 
of our a£tions.^The brother of the prodi- 
gal fon is condemned in the eyes of reli- 
{{ion and humanity, for not being proper- 
y afFedtdd at hisi return. 

If I was your Ghoftly Father, although 
the direftion of confciences is neither ana- 
logous to my labours nor inclination, in 
order to appeafe your anger, I would en- 
join you to write to him who is fo hateful 
in your fight — to fee him often, And 
even on the condition of forgetting what 
is paft. 

If our piety is to be regulated by whim, 
virtue is only a phantom j and I certainly 
prefume, that yours has charity for its 
foundation, for I never judge unfavour- 
ably of my neighbour. 

if my letter, contrary to my intention, 
appears a little fevere, I beg you will 
think 1 ipeak in fuch a luatvtv^i, V^fe on 



-CLEMENT XIV. 95 

j^ our relation's account, than your own ; 
-^<:^r your (alvation depends upon it. Will 
y^oti not pardon him, when you have rea- 
Von to prefume that God Almighty hath 
t^ardoned him ? I cannot think it. 

I have the honour to be, with refpeft, &c. 

Romey 5ih February, 175 1. 



LETTER XXXIV. ^^z. 
TO THE CHEVALIER DE CABANE. 

Sir, 

You p;2rfevere, then, in your intention 
of burying yourfelf at La Trappe, 
and to put it out of my power to addrefs 
you in future, but by writing your epi- 
taph ? Since it is your determination, I will 
not perfift in oppofing you, becaufe you 
have been long tried, and are not of an age 
to take any inconfiderate ftep. 

The world will laugh at you, but pray 
what do they not laugh at ? I know no 
perfon, no work, no proceeding of any 
kind, nor even a virtue, without its cen- 
furers. This (hould be a confolation to 
the religious Orders for the hatred the 
world bears them, and the contempt with 
which tliey are fpoken of. 



96 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 

Too great encomiums were made upon 
the religious Orders when they were firft 
inftituted, and fome counterpoife was ne- 
ccflary to preferve their humility. The 
Founders had th« heft intentions in form- 
ing the different inftitutions in the bofom- 
of tlie Church ;. and even the habits which 
they gave their Difciples, though reckon-' 
ed by the world fantaftical, prove their 
wifdom and their piety. They thought 
thefe habits a means of preventing the Re- 
ligious from mixing with the Seculars, and 
of excluding them from profane aflemblics. 
It was natural for men who embraced a 
kind of life quite different from the cuf- 
toms of the world, to wear particular ha- 
bits. 

Thus, then, they are juflified upon that 
head. Ah ! how eafy would it be to 
apologize for the reft, if I was not of the 
profeffion myfelf! Read their rules, ex- 
amine their cuftoms, and it is impoflible 
not to acknowledge, that all which is re- 
commended, and all that is obferved in the 
Cloifters,* leads to God. 

If they have degenerated fmce their firfl 
inftitution, it is becaufe man is naturally 
weak, and at the end of a certain time the 
greateft fervour muft relax. But nothing 
fcandalous ever became a rule among the 
religious Orders ; there are fome in every 
houfe who declare againft all . kinds of 
irregularities and excefles. 



CLEMENT XIV. 97 
« They who rail coniinually againft the 
; Monks, who wilh to take their pofleC- 
fions from them, and to banifti them from 
' every State, are certainly ignorant of their 
being called into the different Kingdoms 
by tne Kings themfelves, who endowed 
them, and loaded them with benefiadtions. 
They muft be ignorant, that if the founda- 
tions of Kings are not facred, there is no 
longer any thing in the world that 
/ Ihould be fpared ; and that, in Ihort, the 
Monks, whom they fo inveigh againft, have 
gained by the fweat of their brows, by their 
watchings, and by their labours, the 
bread which nourilheth them. 
Their pretended rapacioufnefs is only 
L JbjjCalumny. The Benedidines acquired their 
^ propSrty'by .cultivating the country and 
tlie Lord's vineyard, at a time when igno^ 
i ranee and corruption made the greateft de- 
vaftation. The firft difciples of St. Do- 
minick, of St. Francis d'AlIife, and St. 
Francis de Paul,a(ked nothing from Kings, 
while they had th:ir moft perfect confi- 
dence, and could obtain every thing ; as 
may bs proved by their indigence. 

I know there are Monafteries which by 
their mifconducl have often made a refor- 
mation neceflary ; but neither the Mo- 
nadic rules nor the Founders defer ve to 
be blamed. A man who lives in a Cloifter 
according to their rules, cannot but ex- 
cite the efteem and deferve the attach- 



9« LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
ment of all good men. For wliat is a 
true Monk but a Citizen of Heaven, who 
values not this world, who makes a facri- 
fice of his will and his fenfes to God him- 
felF, in the perfon of his Superior, and 
who continually wiftieth for the coming 
of the Lord;— who inftrudts and edifies 
for the good of his neighbour ;— who 
fliews inachearful countenance the joys of 
. a good confdcnce, and the charms of vir- 
tue ; — who prays, who labours, who ftudies 
forhimfelf, and for his brethren-,— who lays 
himfelf at the feet of the whole world by 
his humility, but is exalted above all men 
by the fublimity of his hopes and his de- 
fires ;— who poireffeth nothing but a foul in 
peace ;— who wiftieth for nothing but hea- 
ven ;— who liveth only to die, and dieth 
to live again to all eternity. 

Behold what you are to be, my deareft 
Sir, the rules of your Order excepted, 
fince by the obfervance of them you will 
have no further commerce with mankind. 
That is the only thing which gives me 
pain, becaufe I love that we (hould be 
ufeful to our neighbour. 

Time, which is an oppreffive load to 
the generality of men, will be no burden 
to you. Every minute will feem a ftep 
towards Heaven ; and night itfelf will be 
to you as light as day, from the com- 
mcrct. you will hold wiihGod. Et nox ft- 
cut dies iUiimimbihir,. 

You 



CLEMENT XIV. 99 

itovL will not hear the bell which calls 
you to fer vice, only as a bell, but as the 
voice of God;— you will not obey the 
Abb6 fimply as a man, but as one who' 
holds the place of Jefus Chrift, and who 
will fpeak to you in his name j— you will 
not look upon penance as a flavery which 
muft not be difpenfed with, but as a holy 
pleafure which will be your delight. 

You will omit none of the fmalleft rules 
which fiibdue the fpirit, and oppofe the 
will; for a Monk cannot prefcrve the fer- 
vour of devotion, but by pradtifing cx- 
aftly whatever is recommended : thus 
you will preferve the liberty of the chil^ 
dren of God, by doing voluntarily and 
with pleafure whatever may be required 
from you as a duty of obligation. 

I fliall be happy to fee you according to 
your promife, having no greater fatisfac- 
tion than to find mylelF with the true fer- 
vants of God, efpecially as in thefe days 
they are extremely rare. 

I can add nothing, but that I am, &c. 

RoMB, i5tli March, 1751. 

LET- 



loo LETTE.tlS Ot GANGANELLI, 

LETTER XXXV. 
TO THE BISHOP OF SPOLETTO. 

My Lord, 

WHAT your lordflijp wrotfe to me 
on the fubjedl of the relics of 
Saints, does honour to your difcernment 
and to your religion. There are two rocks 
to be (hunned by all true Catholics ; — that 
of believing too much, and that of not be- 
lieving enough. If we were to give credit 
to all the (lories told of the relics which 
are (hewn in every country, we muft fre- 
quently fuppofe that a Saint had ten heads, 
or ten arms. 

This abufe, which has procured us the 
name of fuperftitious, has happily only 
taken root among the ignorant. Thank 
Heaven, it is well knownin Italy, (and the 
Clergy repeat it often enough) that there 
is nothing abfolutely neceifary but the 
medi ation of Te& s Chrift ; and that of 
the Saints, as the Council of Trent hath 
formally declared, is only good and ufeftil. 

The relics of ilie Bkiled defcrve all our 
veneration, as precious remains which will 
on2 day b: glorioufly revived ; but while 
we honour them, we ^acknowledge that 
they have no virtu*^ in thcmfelves, and 
that it is Jefus Chrift, of whom they are 

in 



CLEMENT. Xnr. lei 
in fome fort fragments, and the Holy 
Ghoft, (rf whom they are the true temples, 
fl^ho communicate to them a heavenly im- 
preffion capable of working great wonders. 

Notwithftanding this, the attention to 
the worfhip due to God is but too often 
taken off by tliat which is paid to Saints. 
Hence that wife order was given in 
Rome, never to place relics upon the altar 
where the venerabik (the holy facrament) 
is depofited, left they (hould divide the at- 
tention of the people. 

Our religion, which is fo fpiritual and 
lUblime, is unjuilljr accufed of countenan- 
cing abufes of which there is not the leaft 
veftige to be found in the Cathedrals, or 
tid Monafteries. 

If men will condefcend to hearken to 
the ignorant, who do not feek inftruftion, 
there is not a ftatue but has fpoken, nor 
^ faint who has not rifen from the dead, 
nor a dead perfon whofe apparition has 
«iDt bcenfeen ; but the enemies of the Ca- 
tholic region faHely impute to the Church 
t)f Rome the apocryphal Tadts to which 
fuperffition daily gives vent, it is ufe- 
iefs to preach to the people on that fub- 
je<a ;-— they do not eafily recover from 
their obftinacy, when they perfuade them- 
felves of fomething contrary to the doc* 
:trinesof the whole Church. 

I lately obliged anEnglilhman to allow^ 
that die Protc^nts make it their bufinefs 

Vox. J. H xc> 



102 LETTERS OF GANGANELLl, 
to charge us conftantly with abfurdities. 
which we rejedt, and that they have a very. 
unfair method of judging us. 

Italy always had fhining Paftofs, who. 
lamented the credulity of weak minds, and 
the incredulity of Free-thinkers. It is not 
frcm the credulity of the common people 
that ? fenfible man would judge of the 
"faith of a x:ountry ; but from the tenets 
which are taught in their catechifms, or in 
their public inftru6Hons. 

It would bevery^extraordinary, if Rome, 
the fovereign and mother of all the 
churches— that Rome, the centre of truth 
and unity, fliould teach abfurdities. My 
I^rd, (he is juftly vindicated in the wwk 
you lent me. I advife you to publifti it, to 
flop the mouths of the enemies of the Holy 
See ; and to inform the whole world, that 
if.there are perhaps more fuperllitions in 
Italy than elfewhere, it is becaufe the peo- 
ple have a more lively imagination, and 
confequently are more ready to catch 
without refledion at every thing that is 
prefented to their minds. Take care of 
your health, notwithftanding the zeal which 
confumes you, and deign to believe me to 
be, with infinite refpeft, 

My Lord, &c. 
RoME; 17th May, 1751. 



LET- 



ELEMENT XIV. 103 

LETTER XXXVI. 
TO CARDINAL QJJIRINI. 

Most Eminent, 

THE work I have been reading by 
your order, is one of the pro- 
<luaions of this age, where there are 
more paradoxes than reafonings, more ob- 
je<5tions than folutions, more raillery than 
proof, more heat than light, more furface 
than depth. Superficial readers will praife 
it highly, but men of fenfe will think of 
it contemptibly ; yet as they make the 
fmalleft number, it is a book which will 
gain reputation, and make a noife. 

Few people know how to value a work, 
iftheyarepleafed with the ftyle, they give 
their fuffi:age in its favour, and admire in 
extafy, without reflefting that the colour- 
ing is the leaft merit of a pi<5ture. 

It mull be allowed, my Lord, that Ave 
live in a whimfical age. There never 
was lefs religion, but it was never more 
the fubjedt of converfation ;— there never 
was morewit,norwasever wit moreabufed. 
Men would know every thing, yet^ftudy 
codling.; they decide upon every thing, 
but fift nothing to the bottom. 

It is not to recriminate, that I cry out 

againft the age. They may abu^e Priefts, 

and welcome,— 'Tis only tor tneir abufe 

" Hz oC 



i©4 LETTERS OF GANG ANELLI, 
.of religion that I reproach them. They 
may have reafon when they complain of 
our too great numbers, as well as of our 
taking the vows at too early an age in a 
profeffion that is to laft for life : neverthe- 
lefs it is neceffary to engage early, without 
which we carmot enter into the fpirit of 
any profeffion. 

rf many of our paftors would fairiy 
examine themfelves, they would admit, 
that by didr haughtinefs and diffipation 
they have ^ ven room for murmurii^ and 
complaints. Wherefore diflemble what 
all the world knows } But it is unjuft to 
make a whole fraternity anfwerable for 
every one of it« individuals, and to con- 
fider the fault of one man as the fault 
of the whole. The fm of a brother is not 
like original fm, common to all. 

You fee, my Lord, that I take ample 
advantageof tlieliberty your Eminency hath 
allowed me, to let my pen run on various 
fubjefts, when I have the ineftimable hap- 
pinefs of writimg to you. You know, that 
being of the Order of St. Benedidt, we 
have not Always leifure to keep one objeft . 
in view. It is only the attachment and 
refped due to you which we never lofe 
fight of, and it is with that double fen- 
timent that I am 

Your Eminency*s, &c, 
RtME,3dJul7, 1751. 

LET- 



CLEMENT XIV, 
LETTER XXXVII 



10$ 



TO THE REV. FATHER SIGISMOND; OF FER. 
KARA, GENERAL OF THE CAPUCHINS. 

Most. Rev; Father, 

^ A*M extremely thankful that your 
_^ apoftolical progrefs has- not hindered 
you from remembering me. I with I could 
bivc accompanied you, . as lam convinced 
thatonfuchajourneyllhould have received 
both inftruftioa and edification. . I Ihould 
have admired withyon, ho w^ much the fa- 
mily of our holy Founder is increafed, 
and with what richnefs the virtues are per- 
petuated in your Order. 

There is not a good which the Capu- 
dun Fathers- have not done, and there is 
not an evil with which they can be re- 
proadhed^ The alms given them are a 
ialary juftly due ; for they labour with 
indefatigable zeal both in town and 
country for the fupport of Religion, and 
propagation of the Faith. The four quar- 
ters of the world have Capuchins v they 
are protedted even by the mod barbarous 
princes, and are beloved by all nations. 

I executed the commilfion you charged 
me with, at the proper time. I had pro- 
mifed, and my promifes are inviolable; 
as I confider fuch obligations to be a 
duty both of religion and morality. 

Your 



io6 LETTERS OP GANGANELtl, 
Your garden, my moft reverend Father,, 

is always one of my favourite walks. I 

prefer it to the moft magnificent parks :; 

it feemsto breathe an air umnfe^ed by the 

depravity of the times. 

I have the honour to be, my moft Rev^ 

Father, with all poffible veneration, &c. 
Convent of the Holy Apo%t%>M$^ 
7 Augttfti 175 s< 



LETTER XXXVIir. 

TO MADAM B»»», A VENETIAN. 

Madam, 

YOU do me too mueh honour in 
afking my opinion of your admi- 
rable tranflation of Locke. Is it poffible^ 
that in a town plunged as deep in plea- 
fures as it is in water, a perfon of your 
rank fhould apply herfelf to the depths 
of Metaphyfics ? It is an eminent proof, 
that our foul difengages itfelf from the 
fenfes, when it would Ihake off matter ;, 
and confequently, muft be incorporeal. 

I have read over and over again, with 
the ftridteft attention, the ineftimable ma- 
nufcript where you have fo nobly difplayed 
the beauties of our language, and with fo 
much elegance have changed the parched 

field 



CLEMENT XIV. 107 

field of Philofophy into an agreeable par- 

ten-e. The Er^ifti Philofopher would 

be vain, if he could fee himfelf drefs'd 

in fuch elegant Italian. 

I wifti, if it had been pftDflible^ that your 
X.adyfhip had fuppreffed that part of the 
work where Locke hints that matter may 
"have a power of thinking; It is not like the 
reflcdtion of a Philofopher who has thought 
deeply. The faculty of thinking cannot 
be excrcifed but by a Bting neccffarily 
endowed with fpiritual and intelledual 
powers. Matter can never hare the pri- 
vilege of thinking, any more than darknefs 
can nave the power of giving light ; both 
the one and the other imply a contradic- 
tion ; but men rather chufe to /peak ab- 
furdlyi than not to fay uncommon things. 

I congratulate my country more than 
ever, on its having a continued fucceflion 
of learned women in it,. It would be 
very proper to make a colledtion of thof^ 
works which difplay their fingular abili- 
ties. The tranflationof Locke will held 
one of the firft places ; efpeciaily as 
you have found the fecret of employing 
the poetic flyle frequently to fmoothe the 
wrinkles of phiiofophy, which contr?:ets 
the brow, and whofe expeffion is neceffa- 
rily hard and dry. 

I entreat you, Madam, to print this 
work, if it be only to convince Fo- 
reigners,, that fcience is ftill honoured 
H 4 with 



ao8 LETTERS OF GANQANELLI^ 
with us^ and that your fex is not fo trifling 
d& they are pleafed to i^nagine.. 

How eould you fingle me out in that 
croud, where my fmall (hare of merit has 
placed me ? There are a number of Aca-» 
demicians,^ efpecially at Bologna, whofe 
judgment would have been more to be 
depended on than mine. One is not a 
Philofopher for having made profeOion of 
it, and efj)ecially that of ScotMs^ whofe cap- 
tious fubtilty is nothing but a continual 
wrangling. 

There is more fubftance in one page of 
our Metaphyficians of the laft age,* than 
m all the books of Axiftotle and Scotu^. 
The fame,^ however, cannot be faid of 
Plato ; who in thcfe days would have been 
an excellent philofopher, and probably a. 
true Chriftian. 

I find him full of matter and great views. 
His refeaxches, without being obfcured by 
the clouds which furrouaded the Ancients,, 
extended to the Deity himfelf. 

I could have wilhed, Madam, that there 
had not been that playing upon words, in 
the laft leaves of your tranflation, which 
difgraces it. That which is of itfelf ma- 
j^ic, has no occafion for trivial decora- 
tions. Cicero would not be what he is, 
had he written like Seneca. Pardon my 
freedom, but you love truth ; and that 
quality is greater in my eyes, than all 
thofe which adorn you. 

Yoir 



CLEMENT XIV. 109 
You will work a great miracle, if you 
excite a relifb for philofophy at Venice. 
It is a country where there is a great (hare 
of genius even, among Ae mechanics ; but 
pleafure is there,, a fifth element, which is 
a' bar to emulation ; the people facrifice 
their time and reft to it, except the order of 
Senators^ , who arc^fo much employed, that 
tKey^ may be called the flaves of the na- 
tion?. The people are always in gaiety, 
even while they are at work. But I per- 
ceive that I am infenfrbly fpeaking of go- 
vernment, and that rm letter will very 
foon become guilty of kze-ferenitS^ or 
high^treafon^ againft the State. I know, 
t^t the Moft Serene Republic is very fqru- 
pulous about what relates to their ufages 
and cuftoms-, as yvtW as to their 14 ws. 

I will confine myfelf, therefore. Madam, 
to telling you what will admrt of no con tra- 
dition, and be quite conformable to 
the fentiments of the whofe Senate ; which 
its, that they cannot fufficiently affure you 
of the refpeit due to your genius, your^ 
birth, or your virtue, and with which I 
^ve the honour to be, &c. 

R«MB, 16th January, 175^. 



LEf- 

4 



no LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

LETTER XXXIX. 

TO R. P. LOUIS, OF CREMONA, DIRECTOR 
OF THE PIOUS SCHOOLS. 

My reverend Father, 

T) model your preaching after Bour- 
daloue, is to run the race of immor-- 
tality. We have occafion for an Orator 
of your abilities and courage, to reform 
the ftyle of our pulpits. In our fermons, 
we are rather Poets than Orators ; and 
unfortunately have very frequently more of 
the Pantomime than the pathetic ; while the 
^ord of God requires the nobleft elo- 
quence, and, the greateft circumfpeftion. 

I arh charmed with the manner in which 
ycu have tranflated fome volumes of 
Bourdaloue. I do not doubt but our 
Mofl Holy Father will applaud your work 
with transport ; for I know how much he 
wifhes for a reformation in our Sernaons. 
He does not require that Italian eloquence 
fhould become French ; — every language 
has its turns and expreflions; but he 
wifhes that they would fpeak the language 
of chriilians, which ought to be evange- 
lical, and which Ihould never be disfi- 
guredvby burlefque. 

The mouth of the preacher is truly the 
mouth of God. Alas ! then, what ftiould 

be 



CLEMENT XIV. in 
he thought of him who can utter bulFoone- 
lies and trifles from the pulpit ! 

Whoever does not find in the Holy 
Scriptures and the works of the Fathers 
wherewithal' to afFed his hearers, is not 
worthy of mounting the pulpit. Tfere 
cannot be finer images of the greatnefs 
and mercy of God, than in the Pfalms 
andfpiritual Songs ; — there cannot be more 
afFedling hiftories than thofe ofjofeph, of 
Mofes, and of the Maccabees : — there 
cannot be more ftriking examples of the 
divine juftice, than the punifhment of 
Nadab and Ai>ihu, or of BeKhazzar, who 
faw a dreadful hand writing in tre- 
mendous characters his condemnation on 
the wall. 

In all the books of the world you can- 
not find fuch ftrains of eloquence as the 
refledtions of Job : all attempts to pa- ' 
raphrafe only enervate them. Delightful 
difcourfes may he compofed by feledting 
fome of the moft beautiful paflages in 
•ScriptiB:e,aild adapting them to the fubje<ft : 
St. Paul, the moft pathetic and fubljme of 
all Preachers, employed only the language 
of the Scriptures in his Epiftles — and they 
are admirable. 

We ftiould burn the greateft part of our 
fermons, to prevent the tafte of our young 
Preachers frorn being corrupted. There 
they fearch for apocryphal facts, Pagan 
citations, and thence form to themfelves a 

ft^ile 



112 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
ftyle truly ridiculous. Sentiments of com- 
pundtion or terror, which are produced 
by the exclamations, grimace, and gef- 
tures of the Preacher, make but mo- 
mentary impreflions. They are ftrokes of 
thunder,, which aftonifti^ and may oc- 
cafion the audience to make the fign of the 
-+ Crofs, butdo not prevent their laughing 
tlie inftant after. 

If your method, tooft Rev.. Father, caa^ 
be introduced among us, you will.be the 
reftorec of chriftiaa. eloquence,, and: all; 
who feel it will blefsyou._ 

I had for ^hoftly Father a Monk who 
was tilled with tfee Ipirit of God, and 
wha was^ieved everytime he heard fome 
preachers : but when he himfelf preached, 
it was his.heapt which fpoke^ and con- 
fequently his hearers were deeply affedtedi 

I (hallfee you with great pleafure, when, 
you honour, me with a. vifit; I (hall, 
have nothing to do then but to liften. 

I. endeavour in the midft of my daily 
occupations to have always fome moments 
for myfelf and for my friends. The foul: 
has need of fome refpite, that it may the 
better purfue its labours The fciences. 
are mountains, which we cannofe climb 
without taking breath. 

Take care of yourfelf, but lefs upon: 
your own account than ours,, who wifli to. 

read^ 

f The peoplft la ItalT* make the. fign at the Croi 

when ihcy httar thunder. 



C L E M: E N, T XDT. itj 

read, hear, and admire youv k is with 
that defire fb conformable to^ religion; and 
^e wiflies of my country, that I have the 
honour to be in* thefullnefs of my heart,. 
Your moft humble,, 8cc; 

Convent of the Ho-ly Apostle^, 
ift March, 1753.. 

P: S. As to a reform- in. the Bteviary^ 
which you mentioned to me,, I wifh our 
holy Father would; think feriofly of it. 
However, I am. not of your opinion as to 
tfie diftribution.of the Efalms. J ftiould. 
think improper, if Lwasconfulted, to leave 
the Beati immacukti ittvia^ to be repeated, 
daily. It is a continual proteftation of an 
inviolable attachment to. the iaw of God, 
and which is better in the mouths, of the, 
minifters of God^ than fome obfcure enig- 
matical Ffalms, which are often. unintel- 
Kgible to the generality of Priefts. 

I would likewife leave, the. Prayer Book. 
as it. is.. You will tell me that any fet 
form of words becomes too much a thing 
of courfe to preferve its efFedt ; but are 
we not expofed to the fame inconvenience 
with regard even to the prayers of the, 
Mafs, when it is celebrated every day.? 

The notes you fent me on the Imitatiotk 
^ Jefus Chri/iy are admirabk, 

LET- 



114 LETTERS OF GANGANELLL 

LETTER XU 
TO COUNT *♦♦. 



I OWE you a Library, my dear friend^ 
but neverthelefs you Ihall pay for it. 
I promifed to give you a lift of books 
which I think neceflary for you, and now 
I muft acquit m3rfelf of my profnife. 
This lift (hall be ftiort, becaufe it is not 
the multitude of books which makes us 
learned. It is of no confequence to read 
much; but it is of effentiai importance to 
read well. 

The firft book which I would place at 
the head -of your Library is the Go/pel^ 
as the moft necelTary and the moft facred. 
It is right that the book which contains 
the pi:inciples and bafis of religion (hould 
be the foundation of your ftudies. 

It is there that you will learn to know 
what you owe to God, and to the wifdom 
and goodnefs of the Mediator in whom 
we hope, and who hath reconciled heaven 
and earth by the (hedding of his blood. 

That book has been in your hands al- 
moft from your infancy ; but as you at- 
tended but littie to it then, it will now 

excite 



CLEMENT XIV. ny 
excite new fentiments in your foul. The 
Gofpel, when meditated upon with due re- 
fpedt, appears to be the language of God. 
You will not find in it that oratorical em- 
phafis which charafterifes Rhetoricians j the 
fyllogiftical arguments which mark the 
Philofophers ; — it is quite fimple, all is 
within the reach of every capacity, and all 
is divine. 

I exprefsly recommend to you to read 
St. PauPs Epiftles, Befides iiifpiring you 
with an averfion againft falfe teachers and 
falfe devotees, who under an appearance 
of fandtity deftroy the fpirit of it, they 
will infpire you with univerfal charity, 
which takes in all, and which, better than 
all the Preceptors in the world, makes us 
good relations, good friends, and good 
citizens. At the fchool of the Apoftle 
we learn all the oeconomy of religion ; 
its kngth^ its depths ks fublimity -^ in a word^ 
the moft excellence fcience (f Jefu's Gbrijiy, 
who would be univerfally adored, if h^ 
was more generally known, and by vnhom 
the intelleftual and mater'uit worlds were 
made. 

The Pfalter as dilated by the Holy Spi- 
rit, a work which warms the foul while 
it enlightens the mind, and whith for the 
true fublime furpaffesallthe oVatdrs br poet* 
that ever* Wdte^ ought %b be yoto coirilant 
Manual. . ••* 

I would 



ii6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 

I would not recommend to you to take 
too great a portion of thefe wrkmgs, at 
a time. The holy Scriptures ftiould not 
be perufed.but with reflection and refepye^r. 
for befides that every text affords matter 
for ample meditation, the word of God 
defer ves. another kind of refpedt than the 
words of Hien; 

Take care to procure the €onfeJ/ions of 
St. AuguftinCy. a book written with his 
teari^ but it is a work better calculated 
for the heart than the head,, and you ftiould 
attend, to it in that light. To this you 
fliould joimthe coUedlionof the feleiSk pieces 
of the Fathers oPthe Churchy faas teknow 
of yourfelf, that chriftian eloquence alone 
can- truly efevate the ibuly and that it is 
^ a thoufand times more fublime than all 
profane oratory, becaufe it has for its ob- 
jedlGodhimfelf, the fountain of all great-r- 
4iefs. 

ne Imitation of Jefus Cbri/l is a book 
jnuch too holy and inftrudlive to be left 
out of your Catalogue. It is- aiF Italian 
production, . notwithftanding^ what all the 
writers of Differtations have faid upon this 
head, (fince Gerfbn, Abbe of Verceil, is 
the author) in which tlie foul will find 
whatever can edify or comfort her; Make 
frequent ufe of it, asthe work in the world 
the moft fertile in confolations for every 
fetuation in life. 

Studjr 



CLEMENT XIV. 117 

Study carefully the IntroduSlion to the ^ 
Cbriftian DoSlrine^ a work of P. Gerdil, a 
Bamabite^ as it is a book which you cannot 
read too often $ and intermix the Hiftory 
of the Church with that of Empires and 
Nations, fo m not to confufe your mind 
and ideas. The head fhould be always 
clear, when we are to judge with wifdom 
and preciiionr. When you become better 
acquainted with the French Language, I 
advife you to read Boffuet's Univerfal Hif- ^ 
tory ^ and the Thoughts of Pafchal on Re- 1 
ligious Tiruths; 

The Annals of Italy by the immortal 'J 
Muratori, the Hiftory of Naples by Gian- -i 
none, the Cistmpaigns of Don Carlos by ^ 
Buonamici, the perbdical publications of 
the Abbs Lami», not to teach you to decide, 
but to think rightly,, are fo many works 
which you. ought to perufe. 

I do not mentioa books of natural hif- 
tory and antiquities, which are fubjedts no 
«ne (hould be ignorant of ^ 

You muft remember, my dear friend^ 
that Cicero, Virgil, and Horace trod the 
ground which we inhabit; that they breath- 
ed the fame air which we breathe ; and 
that as they are our countrymen, we (hould 
read their writings from time to time, more 
efpecially, as they are filled with elegant 
inftrudtion. You have made good profici- 
<UQy in claffical learning,, and it will^heea- 



ii8 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

fy for you occafionally to enjoy their agree- 
able converfation.. 

I do not debar you from resrding our mo- 
dem Poets, provided you perufe them with 
precaution, and do not go to throw yourfelf 
headlong into all their labyrinths, their 
grottoes, and their groves: thefc arie not 
proper places for a chriftian foul. I do not 
like that you ftiould remain too long with 
the fabulous Goddefles ; thefe are fiftions, 
which lead too often to realities; 
I fliould be much better pfeafed to fee 
►^ Pliny's Letters, the Meditations of Marcua 
-^ Aurelius or of Seneca in your hands ; there 
you will tind fentiments of humanity that 
cannot be too much commended; 

Behold, my dear friend^ the whole of 

the Library I would confine you to ; becaufb. 

I think we (hould have books only for ufe, 

and not for oilentation. You may add 

^ Cardinal Bentivoglio*s Letters. - 

I neither give you legends, nor myfticks. 
You will find the principal Saints in the 
Hiftory of the Church j and the account 
which is given them in apocryphal books, 
would perhaps only ferve to make you doubt 
of the wonders they reaHy wrought, and 
and leflen the refpeft which is due to them* 
Great men ftiould not be feen but in the 
great, and truth needs no fupport to make 
it refpeded. 

If I have not mentioned books of phi- 
lofophy to you, it is becaufe I would not 

fend 



f 



CLEMENT XIV. 119 
/end you back to fchool to adopt fyftems, 
and team to difpute. I am afraid you 
might pick up fome whimfical notion or 
other ; and to fpeak impartially, I would 
not have you efpoufe any one opinion of 
the Schools. 

Philofophy has produced more fophiftry 
than found reafoning ; and it is fufficient 
that you have a per^dt knowledge of the 
Heavens and the Earth, a clear and pre- 
cife idea of our duties, our origin and our 
deftiny, to be a true philpfopher. In the 
fiiidft of your exercifes and your ftudies, 
reflect upon thefe great objedts ; and when 
you have determined upon your profeflion 
in life, you will then be informed how to 
inftrudt ypurfelf in what relates to it. 

Good night ! — My pen cannot go far- 
ther ; my head, fatigued by continual ap- 
plication through the whole day, obliges 
me to flop here. It is only my heart that 
I find always in full vigour, when it is em- 
ployed in affuring you how much 



lam, &c. 



Rome, 3 id: Dec. 1751. 



LET- 



lao LETTERS OF CANGANELLI, 

LETTER XLL 
TO CARDINAL EA3SI0NE1 



Most Eminent, 

JfF we could make reftitution eT cub 
[ knowledge, as we can of goods we had 
olen, your Eminency would fee me lay- 
ing at your feet all the fcicnce I am pofleff- 
ed of, as your own property ; and then there 
would be no room to praife me for. my 
pretended knowledge. Almoft: eitery Sa- 
turday I go to your Eminency 's raagnifi-f 
cent library, and fill my felf . as much as I 
can with whatever excellent things fall ia 
my way. I come there quite indigent,, but 
return exceffively rich — fo that my reputa- 
tion and merit are founded upon thefe fe- 
cret robberies; and it is to your, books, 
my Lord, not to. my own genius^ that I. 
am indebted. 

I ftiare ia the pleafures they taffie who* 
hear your Eminency in that delightful her- 
mitage, where Science prefides, where Vir- 
tue miaes, and Friendlhip holds converfe. 
It is decreed that Brother Ganganelli can 

only 



C L E M E N T XIV. 121 

Dniy Willi for fuch a g-atification, for his 
employment will never allow him to go 
and repofe himfelf under the (hade of your 
myrtle and orange-trees, — That would be 
too fenfual for a Monk of St. Francis, 
who ought to know nothing but mortifica- 
tion and poverty. 

What comforts me, my Lord, is, that 
happily I tafte the pureft pleafure in ful- 
filling the talk which is fet me ; and thfc 
refpeds which I flaould otherwife'prefent 
to you at Frefcati, could neither be more 
profound nor extenfive, than thofe with 
which I have the honour to be here, &c. 

JloMB, 8th May, 1753. 

JL E T T E R XLU. 

TO M. AYMALDI. -^ 

THE laft memorial which you fent 
me, refembles thofe uncaltivatcd 
countries where there are hy chance fome 
agreeablefpots. I unravelled it with monk- 
am patience^ and with the grcateft defire 
to oblige you. There would be too great 

pleafure 



122 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 

pleafure in ftudying, if we were to meet 
with nothing but flowers. Every man 
who is employed in his clofet Ihould look 
upon himfelf as a traveller, who fometimes 
meets with flowery paths, and fometimes 
with rugged roads. 

That light produ6tion of P. Nocetti 
the Jefuit, upon the /r/>, has a great deal 
of delicacy in it. You find there that 
brilliant and poetic imagination which 
embelliflies the thoughts and the ftyle. 
The Jefuits have always cultivated the 
Belles-lettres with fuccefs. Thefe kinds of 
writings are like vivifying waters to me^ 
they recal my vital fpirits when I find my- 
felt exhaufted with painful ftudies : — I 
fmell to them, and recover my fl:rength. 
You know that Science is the grave of the 
Belles-lettres, if we do not fpare them a 
few hours, now-and-then, to prevent our 
forgetting them. My Profeflbr of Theo- 
logy faid to me, once, *^ I am fo abforbed 
** in abflxufe ftudies, that my mind lofes 
^* the relifli for more ^polite performances." 
—Tafteitfelf becomes blunted, if we give 
it nothing to relifti. 

I fliall fee the R. P. General of the Do-^ 
minicans (P. Bremond) on the fubjeft 
of your affair, and I believe I (hall fuc- 
ceed. Befides his being very obliging in 
his own nature, he has ^eat good-will 
towards mej and I jhall bkewife remind 

him, 



CLEMENT XIV. 123 
him, that St.- Francis and St. Dominick 
^^^Tig good friends, and alfo St. Bona- 
venture and St. Thomas Aquinas, it is 
proper that the fame happy harmony 
(hould fubfift among the Difciples. 

Adieu! Take care of your health, for 
we may wager any thing, that during the 
Pontificate gf a learned man your merit 
muft lead to great things. I do not wifli 
it fo much on your account, or my own, 
as for the honour of the Holy See. 

I have that of being, &c. 

RoM^^ I2th May, 1753. 



^^Sk^^.^^Slkl^^'&^^^^^^l^^^i.^^ 



LETTER XLin. 

'i'O DOM GAILLARD, PRIOR OF THE 
CHARTREUX AT ROME. 

My Rev. Father, 

SINCE you have opened your heart 
to me about what pafles in your. 
Community, I will open mine to you 

with 



124 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 

with the fame candour; and muft tell you, 
that it were much to be wiihed, in an Or- 
der fo rigid as yours, that the Superiors 
were more communicative; that they 
Ihould not let a week pafs, withcHit vifit- 
ing their monks^ that they ought to infi- 
nuate themfelves amicably into their 
hearts, and by felutary advice and tender 
encouragement a fli ft them to fupport the 
yoke or folitude. 

The kingdom of Chrift is m>t the em- 
pire of Defpotifm. It is both contrary to 
religion and humanity, to render men 
flaves. If a perfon has made a vow to 
obey his fuperiors, he has not engaged tu 
refpeft their caprices. 

It is generally imagined, that tbe cffice 
of Superior is a place of authority, which 
confifts in commanding, and feeing the 
Monks trembling and fubmiffive. But 
the Chief of a Community is a perfon who 
ihould be all things to all men^ ftudy their 
different characters, found their gemufes, 
and know what is hurtfiil to one, what is 
ufeful to another, and what every one in 
particular is capable of. 

There are fome Monks who have no 
defire for converfation, becaufe they are 
naturally of a filent temper- there are * 
others whom an obftinate filence would 
render miferable, becaufe they are of a fo* 
ciable difpofition ; and it is in fuch a fitua- 
tion that a Superior ihould have different 

ways 



<i I. E M E N T XIV. 125 

ways of concluding himelf , excufing one 
rather than the other, if they fhoiild make 
fome flight infraditions of the rules. Every 
religious Order ought to have no other 
temper than that of our Saviour, who was 
always gen tie and of "humble heart ; who 
treated hisDifciples as brethren and friends, 
calling himfelf their fervant, and adtually 
performing the functions of a fervant. 

Rules would be like a ftep-mother, if they 
punifhed unmercifully thofe who by too 
great vivacity, or too great flownefs, (hould 
become guilty of fome omiflions. There 
are Monks whom a Superior fhould vifit 
more frequently, becaufe they are more 
frequently tempted, and find it more diffi- 
cult to endure retirement : fo that without 
a fpirit of difcernment and penetration, a 
Superior would be only an image, whofe 
government muft: be contemptible. There 
is only one way of diredting, and yet there 
are as many different directions neceffary, 
as there are individuals in the Community. 
One falls off from his duty, if reprimand- 
ed; while another fliall double his dili- 
gence, if he finds the flighted lapfe ani- 
madverted upon. ^ 

The Order of the Chartreux deferves all 
'poffible refpedt, as having no occafion 
either for change of ^ difcipline, or for refor- 
mation, during the feven centuries thatnt 
hath fubfifted -, but I confefs to you, that 
the Priors have always appeared to me to 
I hzs^ 



\i26 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 

have afFedted too fuUen and fevere a de- 
portment, and by going fingly to the ge- 
neral Chapters, were both judges and 
party. 

As they frequently receive vifits, and 
have the liberty of writing -and going 
abroad themfelves, they (hould not be too 
ftria againft a poor Monk for having let a 
few words efcape his lips. 

They become Inquiutors in their office, 
when they would puniih every thing, and 
overlook nothing. There are petty wrang- 
lings in Communities as well as in f&milies^ 
which fubfift only becaufe their Superiors 
do not know how to defpife them. 

Vifit your brotherhood in friendlhip ^ — 
do not fpeak to them of the paft, and you 
will fee them afliamed of having caballed. 
Nothing difarms rage fo much a« gentle* 
nefs : — in embracing them widi cordiality, 
you will (hew them that you can conquer 
yourfelf, and they will be edified. There 
is nothing more dangerous for people in 
office, than never to allow that they have 
been miftaken. 

Accuftom yourfelf to reform the feults 
of your Monks in your own houfe, with- 
out informing the General of them. Such 
a condudt irritates thofe that are accufed,, 
and (hews a want of the proper talent for 
governing. 

This is my way of thinking. If I am 
deceived, you will do me a pleafure by 

proving 



CLEMENT X4V. izj 

proving it : — if your reafons are good, I 
will fnbmit ; for I am neither prejudiced 
in my own favour, nor obftinate in my 
opinions. It is my heart only that fpeaks 
throughout this letter ; and it is that alfo 
which alfiircs you of the (incerity of thofe 
fentimcnts with which 

I am, &c. 
R0ME9 2ift June, 1754. 

LETTER XLIV. 
TO THE SAME. 

THE Jkfto^ or afternoon's nap of Italy, 
my moft dear and reverend Father, 
would not have alarmed you fo much, if 
you had recolledted, that when we are at 
Kome, we ftiould do as the Romans do. — 
Cum Romano Romanus eris. 

Is it either fin or (hame, then, for a 
poor Monk in a country where one is op* 
prefTed with exceffive heat, to indulge in 
half an hour*s repofe, that he may after- 
wards purfue his exercifes with the more 
adtivity ? Confider, that filence is beft 
kept when one is afleep. You who 
reckon among the capital fins, the pro- 
nouncing a fingle word when your rules 
forbid me ufe of fpeech, — take the ex- 
ample of Chrift when he found his Apoftles 
I z ^^^^\ 



^28 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

aflcep : Alas^ fays he to them, with the 
greateft mildnefs,'co«ii/j'o« not watcb with 
tne om hour ? 

But how can you confiftently exped: 
from your Monks, the obedience which 
you rcfufe to the Sovereign Pontiff? You 
cannot but know, that all the monaftic 
laws owed their force only to the approba- 
tion of the Popes : and if he who reigns 
at prefent with fo much wifdom, would 
give your Monks a difpenfation from cer- 
tain cuftoms, it is abfolutely in his power. 
There is no contending with theLegiflator 
the right of- modifying the laws. 

The foftening feme auftcrities which 
depend upon tifpe place, and circum- 
fiance, does not afFedt the effence of the 
vows. The letter kills ^ hut'tlje Spirit brings 
to life. But there are fome refllefs Supe- 
riors who are afraid left, they fhould omit a 
fyllable of the conftitutions. For God's 
fake, be calm, both for the good of ;four 
Monks and your own health. While you 
confult me, I muft reply in this manner : 
it is not fufficient to alledge the diftates of 
confcience, unlefs it be enlightened. I em- 
brace you with all my heart, being, &c. 

Rome, 21ft Sept. 1754. 



LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. 129 

LETTER XLV. 
TO A MONK SETTING OUT FOR AMERICA. 

TH E feas v/ill very foon feparate ns ; 
but fuch IS the lot of this life, that 
fome are fcattered to the extremities of the 
world, while others remain always in the 
fame place. One thing is certain, fhat my 
heart follows yours j — and that wliere- 
ever yours (hall be, there will mine be 
found alfo. 

If you have not laid in an ample ftock 
6f piety, I (hall be exceedingly in fear for 
you, on a paflTage where cill the words you 
will hear will not be thofe of edification - 
and in a country where all the examples 
that will be prefented to you, will not be 
found the moft corrcdt models of virtue. 
America is the earthly Paradife where they 
frequently eat the forbidden fiuit. The 
ferpent is continually preicliing up the 
love of riches and pleafiires, and the 
warmth of the climate iV.ts the paffions in 
commotion. 

We are unfortunate enoiio-h in tl:is world 
not to be able to reftrain our pailions, 
when we perceive no other Superior but 
God, unlefsa lively faith be the principle 
of our adions. And fuch is the cafe of the 
religious who live in America. Not having 
any Superior, who has a right to prefer i be 
I 3 rules^ 



v^ 



liQ l-KTTERS Q-F QANGANELLI, 

rules, or an authorinr tocxaft their obfer- 
vaace, they ^e loft, if the Gofpd does 
not reiga in tlidr tearts. 

I jperfuade myijblf, that you wiU ire- 
quently beg of God to give you ftrength 
to fupport YQu 9gajinft &U kinds of dan- 
g^s; Much good effe^ oaay be produced 
even amonff ^e N^oes^ notwatfaftasid'- 
ijDg their being generally addiiSed to 
the (profleft vices, j^oyided a Kailw csm 
contrive to gaia iijpt: con^dence, «nd be 
fl^de to imprel^ th^mii^ with a certain, 
awe. 

Thinlf that ^G(4pt ij» wiiwMJ? irill 
bpftsn^r ywin Arwikic^, wi^ Kwmc^ 
that his ey^ foeth every whece^, hjis ym(» 
judgeth ail| and. that it i$ fopr bu« ^lofj^ 
you ourfjt tio *a. 1^4 ft M&n% ani. 
regular life ^ for uj^ortunajtely, i$9li^ io^ 
dolence once get poi&ifion of you^.tfa^ 
vices will very foon f)eiet you, and you wiU^ 
not be able to defend yourfelf. 

Never fufFer one word to paft your lips 
^hich can be interpreted a^inft religioit 
or morals. Even thofe who feemingly ap- 
plaud, will, infadk, defpifeyou, a^anun-^ 
worthy fervant who m^es a mock of die 
matter whofe bread he e^ts, wd whpfe li- 
very he wears. 

God preferve you from heaping up 
riches! A Prieft who loves money, but 
more efpecially a ^f.onk who has taken the 
vow of poverty, is ^yorfe than the wicked 

rich 



CLEMENT XIV. 131 
licji man, and deferves to be ftill more ri- 
gofoufly Ofe^ted. 

' Be fociable, and gain your parifhioners* 
aSeiCfcions by much affability : — let them 
fee th^t it is true piety which governs you, 
^nd not fancy. 

Do ndt meddle in fecular affairs, except 
to accommodate iaw-fuits, and reftore 
peace. I will pray for you to Him who 
co0M93iLnd$ this wayea, who calms the tern- 
pefts^ and who doth not zbsxxdoxi hi» 
pos^e^ whotre-ev«r fowttd. Wtot comforts 

ii» tim pf Y^^Qi t«d ^ heart we tra 
il/wawnBis^btKMirft to one ano^er. 
Mm^ tnd «dic\il I tmderly osdnrtce 



LET T E R XLVI. 

To THE PRELATE CEI^ATI. 

YOU are too happy, my dear Prelats 
in dividing your time between Pi fa 
and Florence : — in the one, youf mind is at 
Its eafe ; and in the othef , your knowledge 
finds its proper fuftenance. 

I 4 When 



fit LETTERS OF GAM-GANELLV 

When I think that Tufcahy is truly the 
reftorer of arts and fciences, I greatly re- 
vere it, and I feel my heart palpitate every 
time I hear it mentioned. The advantage 
of die happieft fituation and happieil cli- 
mate rendered^ it worthy of this glory y 
we breathe a fwcettrefsor air there, which 
feems to give the foul a new being ; and it 
18 perceivable at every ftep, why the Fine 
Arts fhould have chofen that fituation for 
their refidcnce. 

I knew an eld man who had the mofl:- 
cultivated reafbn, and the moft yokptuous 
mind, who arranged hi» time fo wdl, that^ 
he paffed the fJBring every year at Pifa. the- 
fiunrntr at l^enna, the autumn at Leghorn^ 
arid the winter at Florence. He went al- 
ternately to thefc four towns^ to iludy the 
humour of the inhabitants, to give vent 
to his own, and to tafte the fweets of the 
moft agreeable fociety . Our converfations 
begin to degenerate ; — they have loft that 
fpirit with which our fathers fupported 
them, and it is^ to the too agreeable 
French frivolity, which captivates all minds,, 
that we are indebted for the change. 

Every age bears fome mark which cha * 
rafterifes it ; — luxury which corrupts our 
morals, corrupts likewife our difcourfe and 
our writings : — there is fcarce any foul in 
our converfation, in our writings, or our 
paintings. Wepolfefs nothing n9w but a 
certain elegance, as fuperficial as the genius 

which 



CLEMENT XIV. 133 
vhich produces it ; and unfortunately even 
religion partakes of this evil. They think 
they can take whatever is difpleafing from 
Chriftianity, as they can retrench the or- 
naments of drefs. 

You are fenfible of thefe evils ; — you 
lament, and you have reafon. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

Rome, zd Sept. 1754. 

LETTER XL VII. 

TO THE ABBE CANILLAC AUDITOR OF ROTA. 

r ' ' ■ 

I CALLED upon you, my Lord, that I 
might have ' the honour of delivering 
with my own hand a volume of Monf. 
BufFon — an excellent book ; an excellent 
writer,- if he was not too fyftematical : a^ 
there is an energy of ftyle and thoughts 
which tranfports and aftonifhes. To aflc 
my opinion of the liberties of the Gallican 
Church, is to put it out of my power to 
fpeak. JBefides, what fignifies that quef- 
tion, if the French, like the Romans, 
are -Catholics, notwithflanding the fenti- 
raents which divide them upon this article .? 
The Popes and the .Kings in times pa(t 
Avere reciprocally wrong, and Benedict XIV, 
is happily the moil proper Pontiff to make 
their errors be forever forgotttm. 

I - W'V.^x 



134 LETTERS OF GAWCAN'EXlI, 
What you have deigned to recomiii^tid 

to me ftiall be done as fbon as poffible, 

with a zeal equal to the refpis^t witb which 

I am, &c. 
Rome, 6t;li June, 1754. 

LETTER XLVIII. 
TO THE MARQJJIS SCIPIO MAFFEfi 

TH E young Monk whom you recom- 
mended to me, is quite vain of fuch 
an honour, and I am no lefs fo of your 
excellent letter : I fliall preferve it as a 
talifman to communicate to me fome 
fparks of your learning and genius. I 
would fay a thoufand things, but am a- 
fraid of you as of a fpirit, and find my- 
felf interdifted. I recoUeft the immenfity 
of your knowledge, and the merit of your 
productions ; and that remembrance ren- 
ders me fo little in my own eyes, that I 
cannot appear before you. 

Italy will long' be vain of having given; 
you birth ; and if Verona knew its glory it 
would eredt flatues to you -, but what ren- 
ders you fuperior to fuch vain honours, is, 
that you are the humblcft of men, and know 
lefs than any man your own worth. 

I would 



e L It u t u T XIV. 135 

I would not pardon Time, who, without 
refpeft to merit, brings on old age, if I was 
not perfuaded with you, that a heavenly 
life awaits us. We know that Heaven is 
the centre and habitation of all light, and 
that the knowledge which is acquired there 
in a moment, exceeds beyond the reach of 
comparifon the feeble glimmerings which 
we enjoy here below. 

I (hall pay all poflible attention to your 
recommendation. He (hall become my 
fon, as he has been yours, by the intereft 
I (hall have in his improvement, both in the 
fdences and in piety. He will find in our 
Order the fame affiftance which I found 
there, to inftrudt and form me v and I can 
lay, upon this occafion, without flattering 
my brethren, that he could not be better 
fituated for thofe purpofes. They have a 
tafteforgood authors; they encourageemu- 
lation ^ they give conflant application, and 
they efteem, in a moft particular manner, 
the incomparable Scipid MafFei. He lives 
in our hearts as he does in his own writings ; 
and this I can certainly affure him of, beiog 
more than any one, &c. 



LET- 



136 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

LETTER XLIX. 

tq mons. caraccioll, nuncio- at venice, 
and late nuncio in spain. 

My Lord, 

I HAVE the honour of fending you the 
refolution of the Holy Office, which 
will certainly be agreeable to your manner 
of thinking. I have expreffed in it all the 
zeal that I am capable of, to prove to you 
the infinite efteem I have of your worth. 
I wifh the Church always had Prelates as 
exemplary as your Lordfhip ! It is what 
the Venetians often fay, and what tranf- 
ports me with joy, when I have a happy 
opportunity of affuring you of all the re- - 
fped with which I am, &c. 
RoME^ 2iftO^. 1754. 

LETTER L, 

TO COUNT **♦. 

IF fcruples lay hold of you, my dear 
•Friend, you are ruined ; you will ei- 
ther rclapfe into diflipation, or ferve God 
like a flave. Remember that the Jewifh 
law was a law of f<ar, but the new law 

is 



CLEMENT XIV. 137. 
is a law of love. The veffel of clay to 
which our fouls are attached does not allow 
of angelical perffdlion. 

Religion is degraded, when we apply 
our attention to trifles. While men pray,, 
there will be inattentions ; as long as men. 
aft, there will be errors in condudl, becaufe 
every man is fubjedt to vanity and error—-. 
Omnis homo mencLix. 

There are none but falfe devotees who 
are fcandalized at every thing, and who 
fee the Devil every where." Fultil the law 
without labouring in fpirit, and without 
ftraining the imagination, and you will 
Bender yourfelf agreeable to God. No- 
thing checks the foul in. the road of piety, 
^ much as fcruples ill underilood. As too 
much retirement encourages gloomy no- 
tions, and fociety difpels them, frequent 
rational company, and live but little alone. 
—Be not difcouraged, when you feel your- 
felf tempted. Temptation is a trial which 
teaches us to diflruft ourfelves, and adds to 
our merits when conquered. 

Come and fee me, and we will endea- 
^'our together to find out the fource of thofe 
doubts which torment you. I have no- 
thing more at heart than^o be affured you 
are a good Chriftian ; but I (hall be un- 
happy if you give way to fcruples ; for thea 
every thing will alarm you, and you will 
become infupportable to yourfelf. 

I have 



lyi LETTERS OF GANGANELLt 

I have always forgot to fpeak to you 
about your worthy relation. See what fad 
tricks my abfence of mind fometimes plays 
me ; but the heart has no (hare in the 
omiffion. The Marchionefs, moreftartled 
than penetrated with my remonftrances, 
doesnot know how toatV.— When devotion 
once hefitates about, being reconciled, you 
muft only expeft dioubtnil proofs of it : 
but as we take what we can get of a bad 
debt, fo (hould you take in good part the 
flighteft marks of politenefs that your dear 
Coufm may henceforward think proper to 
(hew you. 

Pcrfevere, my dear friend, pcrfevere. I 
am edified by your courage, and happy 
diat you are pleafed with the guide I gave 
you. Is he not a worthy man, and one 
that will certainly lead to heaven? He 
has a wonderful (kill in difcovering peo-' 
pie's difpofitions, and is the man in the 
world; the mod 'proper for gaining their 
confidence. 

I approve of what you lay afide for 
charitable purpofes; but I do not love 
beftowing drop by drop, or tying one's- 
felf down to regular alms-giving; fo as to 
have^ nothing left for an objedt in es!treme 
want. It is better to relcue one or two 
fiamilies from diftrefs, than to fcatter a few 
pieces at random, without compleating 
any purpofe. Befides, it would be pro- 
per to have always a fum inreferve for ex- 
traordinary 



C L E M E N T XIV. 139 

traordinary cafes ; for by this oeconomy you 
will have a remedy at hand for unforefeen 
• contingencies. 

Do not cive into that wrong notion of 
charity, wnich, without confidering either 
birth or extradtion, would have all its 
.objedts clothed and fed like the meaneft of 
the jbeople. 

Qiarity humbles nobody, and fliould 
be proportioned to circumftances and 
conditions. To give haughtily, is worfe 
than to withhold. Diftribute your alms 
in fuch a manner, as to appear more 
humble yourfelf than they who receive. 
Religion is too noble, to approve of thofe 
little fouls who oblige with infolence, and 
make the importance of their fervices be 
felt. 

Be not cofiteilt with giving, but lend like- 
wife, according to the precepts of the 
Scripture, to him that is in need. I do not 
know a more contemptible objeft tbm 
mbney, if it be not employed to aflifl our 
neighbour. Can the infipid pleafure of 
heaping up crowns, be compared with the 
fatisfadtion of conferring happinefs, and 
the felicity of attaining heaven ? 

When you are become an oeoiKH^ift 
without avarice, and generous without 
prodigality, I will look upon you as a rich 
man who can befaved. Ptevertt wants, with- 
out waiting till you be aiked ; true cb^ity 
can divine. 

Adieu, 



^ 



\^o LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 

Adieu. — It appears fuperfluous to repeat, 
at the end of this letter, that I am your 
beft friend and humbleft fervant^ Cer- • 
tainly you do not doubt it, or you affront 
me mod fenfibly. 

Rome,. 19th April, 175a. 

LETTER LL 
TO THE S A M E. 

YOU alk me, wherefore there arc 
days that, given up to melancholy 
without knowing the caufe, we are a bur- 
den to ourfelves ? To which I anfwer, 

Firft, It is becaufe we are dependent up- 
on a body which is not always in perfe<it 
eqilibrium. 

Secondly, Becaufe God Almighty woujd 
make us fenfible that this life is not our 
happinefs, and that we (hall always be ill 
at eafe till we leave it ; and it was for that 
reafon the Apoftle longed after the things 
that are eternal. 

There are fogs in the moral as well as in 
the natural world ; and the foul, like the 
jky, hath its clouds. 

The beft way to difpel fuch glooms fs 
to fcek employment. We have not lei- 

fure 



CLEMENT XIV. i4t 

fure to become either fad or languid, when 
we are ferioufly occupied. Study is the 
element of the mind. Tou will neither be 
a burden toyourfelf nor toothers^ faid Seneca, 
if you love Jiudy. It is inconceivable how 
many wretched quarters of hours there are 
in life, from which employment would 
defend us. You cannot be happy in this 
world, but by knowing how to blunt 
your forrows. He who has no vexation 
at prefent, either has had or will have 
fome; becaufe pain and forrow are an 
inheritance from our firft father, and we 
cannot entirely preferve ourfelvcs from 
them. 

I am, with all my heart, &c. 
RoMEy 27th April, 1752. 

LETTER LII. 

TO MONSIGNOR FIRNIANf, RISHOP 
OF PERUSA. 

My Lord, 

THfi fuitor you recommend to me 
feems to prefer the Order of the Au- 
gtiftines to the Francifcans; and far from 
being diffatisfied at it, I have juft now 
been to- condud him to a Monk who is 

one 



»42 I^ETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
one of my friends ; he will take all poffi- 
ble care of him, and after a proper trial, 
will give him the habit of St. Auguftine. 

Provided we brii^ the true fpirit of piety 
with us, it is no matter in what Convent 
we are placed. All the different Orders 
make up but one and the fame family, in^ 
my eyes : and happily I have no partiality 
for my own Community, to the prejudice 
cf another. Befides, t4)e Augouinea al' 
wayij connefted knowledge with virtue; 
and IK) man, wbofe heaft is w^t difpefed^ 
can fail to receive excellent infbviftieiii 
sisiong tbem. 

The P. Capuchin, who fpoke to yofiat 
Lordibip ib lavonrably of me, kas^ km 
but little of me ; he jud^of lae m of a 
landfcape, which is imagined to be fome- 
thing fine, at a diftance ; but is found on 
a nearer view^ to be nothing extiaordi- 
nary. I will oblige him to recant, when 
he returns to Rome, becaufe he (hall then 
fee me as I really am. It is the beft way 
that I know of correcting the miftjaken 
notions which men may have formed of 
me. I recommend my felf to your prayers, • 
which I believe to be moll efFedual before 
God, and I have the honour to be, &c. 

RoMEy 26th Auj;;. 1753. 



LET- 



1 

/ 

I 



CLEMENT XIV. 143 

LETTER LIII. 
TO THE PRELATE CERATI. 

My Lord, 

JH A V E juft now been to fee your 
good old friend, M. Bottari, and found 
^iixi, as uf^al, imnaerfed in the deepeiii: 
^uid moft interefting fludies. He palfedl 
:&on that to a pidurefque convemtion, 
V^Hoh delighted me exceffively; for he 
^oteenot fpeak, but points. He is fenten^ 
-^oos and figurative ; a^d never fails pcr- 
:Se^y to chara£teriCe the hooks ^ people 
^e deicribes. 

We had a good deal of difcourfe about 
^e Romai;! Aiitiquities, and the variety of 
our Libraries, which, tho* not all of equal 
excellence, form an admirable coUedtion. 
Two well informed Engliflimen (bared in 
<)jur converfatioii, and fpoke fo as to de- 
mand attention. They are a people that 
travel to advantage, profitting by whate- 
ver they fee. Tfey are faid to take the 
fubftance of things, while the French are 
content with the furface. But I leave you 
to decide, whether for commerce with 
mankind, it is better to be fuperficialand 
agreeable^ or profound and gloomy. 

Cardinal 



144 LETTERS OF GANGANELLL 

Cardinal Bentivoglio faid, tbiia weJbGuU 
fee an EngUJbman wbeit "we vmta to tbink^ and 
a Frenchman when we want to canverfe. 

I open my cell to both one and die other 
wkh the greatcft plcafure, confeffing to 
you always that the French vivacity has 
fomething very attradting for me. One 
loves to meet his own Hkenefs \ and' you 
know diat I am neither flow, nor filent. 

You (hould have recdvcd' the book 
which P. Maffoleni of thc^ Order of the 
Orjatory fenryou. You will find it both 
mteremng and well executed. Methinks 
I fee you plunged into ^is work, without 
being able to tear yourfelf &dm it. The 
fetir^ man hajs real: pleafures, which fur- 
pafsall the joys of the world. Buthufh! 
that is a fecret of the ftudious, which* 
fhould not be (liviilged. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

Rome, 13 Noy. i'753 = 



LETTER LIV. 
TO A FRANCISCAN FRIAR, 

I FEEL fomething within me which 
makes me take pen in hand, and whif- 
jpers in my ear to write to you, that it is a 
great while fince I had that fweet pleafure ; 



I 



CLEMENT XIV; 145 

^tid it is my friendftiip for you which pro- 
Cures it me at prefent. 

It mud be confefled, as St. Auguftine 
fays, that friendjhip has Something very charm- 
ing in it^ and that whoever does not know its 
delights^ Jbonld be excluded from fociety. * 
The Saviour«of the world hath canonifed 
it, by his particular attachment to St. 
John, and we fee that the greateft Saints 
have cultivated it with the moft religious 
attention. 

Continue to be always my good friend. 
Although the worid fays that Monks love 
nobody, I have found the mod fincere 
and friendly hearts in the Cloifter: — but 
the world will believe nothing of this, be- 
caufe it will have us to be wrong in every 
thing ; but what fignifies that to us, while 
we tafte the fweets of fuch a fympathy, 
and that I continue no lefs than ever. 
Your friend and fervant. 

Rome, 29th Dec. 1754. 

4X>0<XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX^ 
LETTER LV. 

TOLADYPIGLIANL 

IT is not an indifferent matter, the 
keeping your two daughters with you : 
— the condition of a mother impofes the 
moft important duties on you. Tb& 



146 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 
world will continually interpofe between 
you and your children, if you do not 

take care to keep it at a diftance; : not 

with aufterity, which excites only mur- 
muring, but with that prudence which 
gains confidence. 

Your daughters will only prove hypo- 
crites, if you perplex and incumber them 
with inftruAions; inftead of which they 
will love religion, if you know how to 
jnake them do fo by your example, and by 
your gentlenefs. 

Girls of twenty are not to be ufed as 
they were but ten, there is a treatment 
and method of inftru£tion fuited to differ- 
ent ages, as well as to different conditions — * 
of life. 

Encourage a tafte for good Authors^^««« 
and f or employme nt, as much as you can ; 
but with that freedom which does not tie:^ 
them down to the minute ; and with a^^ 
fpirit of difcemment, which knows how — ' 
todiftinguifh what is proper for a fecularr 
houfe, fiomwhat would more fitly becom^^ 
iCloifter. 

Eftablifti your daughters according tc^ 
^heir fortunes and rank, without reftrain— 
ing their inclinations, unlefs they (houlcJ 
tend to diffipation or folly. Marriage is- 
the natural condition of mankind; but 
there are exceptions to this rule, whoirt 
may be difpenfed wkh. 

Without 



CLEMENT XIV. 147 

Without being in love with the vanities 
of the world, do not make yourlelf ridi- 
culous by oppofing the cuftoms of the 
times. Piety becomes a fubjedt of rail- 
Jery, when it appears to afFe<5t fmgularity ; 
a prudent woman (hould avoid rendering 
herfelf remarkable. 

When a woman is born to a certain 
rank of life, Ihe (hould drefs fuitably to 
her pretenfions; but ftill within that line 
which modeily and decency prefcribc 

See that your daughters mix in good 
<:c>mpany. True devotion is neither ruftic 
nor auftere. Solitude ill employed irri- 
tates the paflions, and it is often better 
for youtig people to fee well chofen com- 
pany, than to remain alone. You (hould 
ipfpire them with chearfulnefs, that they 
may not aflTume a fandtified air. ^^heir 
recreations fhould be walking, and litde 
;inaocent paftimes ; but when you come to 
talk of application, do not mention deep 
ftudies, nor abftradt fdences, which often 
make the fex vain and talkative. 

Above all things, make _Yourfelf be - 
loved ; it is the greateft pleiafute that a mo- 
ther can afpire to, and the greateft pre- 
rogative (he can enjoy, in order effedt the 
good (he purpofes. 

Take care that your dome ftics b e religi* 

ousand fao ncft ; they arc capable of every 

'Sling that is bad^ if they do not Fear God. 

They (hould not be treated either with 

haugji- 



148 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

haiighlinefs or familiarity, but as people 
who are of the fame nature, but } our in- 
feriors. Juft'ice is the motlier of order -, 
every thing has its proper place, when 
we aft with equit3^ 

Never punilh but with regret, and al- 
ways pardon with pleafure. 

Fr eque nt your parifh church, that the 
fheep may be often found with their Paf- 
tor ; it is a pradtice conformable to the 
holy Canons, as well as of antient ufage. 

Your own wifdom will teach you the 
reft, I depend much upon your under- 
ftandingand goodwill, as you may be af- 
fured of the refpeftful confideration with 
which I have the honour to be, &c. 

Rome, 15th Nov. 1754. 



LETTER LVI. 
TO COUNT ALGAROTTI. 

My dear Count, 

MANAGE your matters fo, that in 
fpite of your philofophy, I may fee 
you in Heaven ; for I fhould be exceeding- 
ly grieved to lofe fight of you for an eter- 
nity. 

You 



CLEMENT XIV. 149 

You are one of thofe fingular men, both 
^n head and heart, \yhom we would wifli 
to love beyond the grave, >vhen we have 
the pleafure of knowing them ; and no- 
body has more reafons than you to be 
perfuaded that the foul is incorporeal and 
immortal. The years pafs away for the 
Philofopher, as they do for the fool ; but in 
what they are to terminate mull engage the 
mind of a tbinkmg man. 
. Confefs, that I know how to accommodate 
ray icrmons, fo as not to ftartle one of the 
beaupc-efprits : and if difcourfes wereoftener 
made with as much brevity and friendfliip, 
you would fometimes, perhaps, liften to the 
preachers. — But it is not enough to hear 
them i what is faid (hould find its way to 
thc; heart. — May it produce good fruit 
there ; and may the amiable Algarotti be- 
come as good aChriftian, as he is a Philo- •^ 
lofopher, and then (hall I be doubly his 
friend and fervant ! 

RoMEy nth Dec. 17^4. 



Vol. I. K LET- 



50 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

LETTER LVIL 
TO MONSIGNOR ROTA, DECIPHERER. 

I BELIEVE, my Lord, that to make it 
poffible for us to meet, it is necei&ry 
to make an appointment.— ^I beg of you 
to fix the time, and moil certainly I will 
not fail to attend you. 

There is no time I regret the lofe of fo 
much, as that which is fpent in anti-cham- 
bers. Time is die mod precious gift which 
God hath given us, and man diffipates it 
with a profufion equally extravagant and 
unaccountable. 

Alas ! time is a property expofed to be 
pillaged, and every one robs us of a part ; 
in fpite of all my care to preferve it, I 
fee it flip through my hands, and I can 
fcarcely fay that it flies before it is already 
gone. 

I wait your orders to attend you, and tc^ 
tell you, if there are moments in whiclri 
you are to be feen, that there are none in 
which I am not with equal attachment and 
refpeft, my Lord, 

Your moft humble, &c. 
RoME» 3d Jan. 1754. 

LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. 151 



LETTER LVIII. 

*rO THE HOLY STANDARD-BEARER OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF SAINT MARINO. 

[ My dearest Friend, 

\ /\ LTHOUGH you are only the little 
XjL fovereign of a very little ftate, you 
have a foul which puts you on a level with 
• the greateft Piinces. It is not the extent 
of empires which conftitues the merit of 
Emperors. A father of a family may have 
much virtue, and a chief magiftrate of 
Saint Marino a great reputation* 

I find nothing fo delightful as being at 
the head of a little Canton, fcarce per- 
ceivable in the map, where neither war nor 
difoord are known, and where there are no 
ilorms but when the Iky is darkened ;— 
where there is no ambition, except that of 
fupporting one's felf in filence and medio- 
crity i— where all property feems to be in 
common, from the cuftom of every one's 
being ready to aflift his neighbour. 

O, how that little nook of earth pleafes 
me ! How happy to live there ! Not in the 
midft of tumults which diftradt great cities; 
nor in the midft of the great, who opprefs 
the fmall ; nor in the fcenes of pomp, 
which corrupt, the heart and dazzle the 
eyes ! It is a place where I would willing- 
K 2 ly 



IS* LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
ly pitch my tabernacle, and where my 
heart has long fixed its abode, from the 
friendlhip I have for you. There cannot 
be a greater burden than fovereignty ; but 
your's is fo light, that it leaves your move- 
ments free ; efpeclally when I come to com- 
pare it with thofe monarchies which the 
Sovereign cannot govern without multiply- 
ing himfelf, and having eyes every where, 

Every thing confpires againft a Prince 
who is at the head of a great kingdom. 
They who are about him feek to deceive 
him, at the very time when he perfuades 
himfelf that they are paying him their 
court. If he is debauched, they flatter 
him in his vices ; if he is pious, they play 
the hypocrite, and put on the ma(k of re- 
ligion ; if he is .cruel, they fay he is juft, 
and he never hears the truth. 

He mull often defcend into his own 
heart to feek it j but alas ! how he is to be 
pitied, if he does not find it there ! Hiftory 
would not be filled with the reigns of fo 
many bad princes, if they had not loved to 
live at adiflance from truth. Truth is the 
only fafe friend of Kings, when they will 
hearken to it ; but they often deceive them- 
felves, looking upon it as an importunate 
monitor, that (hould be kept at a diftance, 
or puniflied for its intrufion. 

As for my part, who loved it from my 
infancy, I think that I (hall always love 
it, though it (hould fay the fevereft things. 

Truths 



CLEMENT XIV. 153 

Truths are like bitter medicines, which 
ciifpleafe the palate, but reftore our health. 
Truth is certainly better known at St. 
Marino than any where elfe : — it is feen 
only obliquely at great courts, but you 
]ook it full in the face, and embrace it 
M'ith the afFedion of a friend. 

I will not fend you the book you want 
to fee ; — it is an ill-formed production, 
badly tranflated from the French, and 
^abounds with herefies againft morality 
and found doftrine. It fpeaks, never- 
thelcfs, of humanity ; for now-a-days That 
is the plaufible phrafe, which is fubftitutcd 
in the room of charity ; beaufe humanity 
IS but a Pagan virtue, and charity is a 
Chriftian one. The modern Philofophy 
would have nothing to do with any thing 
that relates to Chriftianity, and thereby 
(hews to the eye of Reafon that it prefers 
what is defedive. 

The old Philofophers, who were noten^ 
lightened by faith, and had not the advan- 
tage of knowing the true God, wifhed for ^ 
a revelation ; while the modern ones reject 
that which they cannot miftake : but in fo 
doing they betray themfelves; for if they 
had a right turn of mind and a pure heart, 
and were as humane as they pretend to be, 
they would receive with up-lifted hands a 
religion which condemns even bad inclina- 
tions, which expreisly commands the love 
of our neighbour, and promifeth an eter- 
K 3 \ak 



154 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
nal recompenfe to all thofe who have affift- 
cd their brethren, who have been faithful 
to their God, their King, and their Coun- 
try. If we are virtuous, we cannot be 
A^ averfe to a religion which preaches and 
enjoins nothing but virtue. 

When I fee the words legijlaiion^ pa- 

triotifm^ humanity^ conftantly flowing from 

the pen of thofe Writers who anathematife 

Chriftianity, I fay^ without any apprehen- 

fion of deceiving myfelf, ** Thefe men 

"{mock the Public, and) inwardly have 

^ "i' neither Patriotifm nor humanity/* From 

^: Y/'/the abundance of the heart the mouth 

'""''' fpeaketh ; but fuch men only eftablifh this 

)^ <1 general rule, by their being an exception to 

^ it. '" 

This is the way in which I would attack 
the modem Philofophers, if I thought I had 
fufficient ftrength to combat them. They 
might cry out againft my argument, be- 
caufe I ftiould prefs them clofely ; but 
they fliould have no reafon to complain oF 
. my fupercilioufnefs, I would fpeak to them 
as the tendereft friend, equally zealous 
for their good, as for my own ; as a can- 
did and impartial author, who would ac- 
knowledge their abilities, and do juftice 
to the excellence of their genius. — I am fo 
prefumptuous as •§ to believe that they 
would have efteemed me, although their 
antagoniit. 

I cannot 



C I- EM EN T XIV. 15s 

I cannot execute this defign, becaufe 
liere I do not enjoy that happy tranquility, 
"which you are in pofleffion of at Saint 
Marino: — there you live in a ftate of hap^ 
py leifure and repofe, which emulates the 
condition of the bleft. 

However, this tranquility muft be fatal 
to the Sciences and the Bdles-lettres^ fince 
I do not fee, in the imnienfe catalogue of 
celebrated writers, any of the natives of 
Saint Marino diftinguiflied for their litera- 
ture. I advife you to fpur up your fubjedts 
while you are in place ; but make haftc ; 
for it is not of your kingdom that it is faid. 
It will bceoe no end.. There is genius in 
your country, and it wants only to be 
roufed. 

Behold a letter as large as your ftate, 
cfpecially if you attend to the heart which 
dictates it, and in which you often occupy 
a very confiderable place. Thus they 
write and love, who have been together at 
college. Adieu. 



K4. LET- 



iS6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

L E T T T E R LIX. 
TO COUNT ♦♦♦ 

1 WOULD not have you ftudy Ma- 
• thcmatics, my dear friend, till you were 
confirmed in the principles of Religion. 
I wasafi-aid that by applying yourfelf to a 
fcience which will admit nothing but what 
is demonltrative, you will do as many 
Mathematicians dp, who think of making 
our myfteries fubmit to demonftration. 
The Mathematics, extenfive as they are, 
are very limited, when we thmk of what 
relates to God. All the lines that can be 
drawn upon earth, all the points that can 
be made, are but infinitely fmall in com- 
parifon of that immenfe Being, who nei- 
ther admits parallel npr proportion. 

Mathematics will enable you to think 
juftly. Without them, there is a certain 
method wanting which is neceflary to rec- 
tify our thoughts, to arrange our ideas, and 
to determine our judgments aright. It is 
eafy to perceive in reading a book, even 
a moral one, whether the Author be a 
Mathematician or not. I am feldom de- 
ceived in this obfervation. Th» famous 
French Metaphyfician would not have 
compofed The Inquiry after Truth ^^ nor 

the 
t Mallebraoche, 



CLEMENT XIV. 157 

^lie famous Leibnitz his Tbeodid^ if they 
'^ad not been Mathematicians. We per- 
ceive in their produftions that geometri- 
cal order which brings their reafonings 
^nto fmall compafs, while it gives them 
Energy and method. 

Order is delightful ; there is nothing 
in nature but what is damped with it, and 
without it there could be no harmony. 
We may likewife fay that the Mathematics 
are an univerfal fcience which connerts all 
the reft, and difplays them in their hap- 
pieft relations. 

The Mathematician, at the firft look, is 
fure to analyfe and unravel a fubjeft or pro- 
pofition with juftnefs ; but a man who does 
not underftand this fcience, fees only in a 
vague, and almoft always in an imperfeft 
manner. 

Apply yourfelf then to this great branch 
of knowledge, fo worthy of our curiofity, 
and fo neceflary to the ufes of life ; but 
not in fuch a degree as to throw you into 
abfence :— endeavour to be always recol- 
ledted, whatever are your ftudies. 

If I was as young as you, and had your 
leifure, I would acquire a more extenfive 
knowledge of Geometry. I have always 
cheriftied that fcience with a particular 
prediledion. My turn of mind made me 
feek with avidity every thing that was me- 
thodical; and I pay but little refped to 
thofe works whk:h are only the exercifes of 
imagination. 

K 5 ^^ 



158 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 

We have three principal fciences, which 
I compare to the three effential parts of 
the human compofition :——• Theology, 
which, by its fpirituality, refembles our 
foul; the Mathematics, which, by their 
combination and juftnefs, exprefs our rea- 
fon; and natural Fhilofophy, which, by 
its mechanical operations, denotes our bo- 
dies: and thefe three Sciences (which 
ought to maintain a perfect harmony) 
while they keep within their proper fphere, 
neceflarily elevate us towards their Author, 
the fource and fullnefs of all light. 

I formerly undertook a work, while I 
was at Afcoli, the intention of which was 
to (hew the perfedt agreement between all 
the Sciences. I pointed out their fource, 
their end, and their relations ; but the 
exercifes of the Cloifter, and the ledtures 
I was obliged to give, prevented me from 
finiftiing it. I ftill have fome fragments, 
which I fhall fearch for among my pa- 
pers, and you may read them, if you think 
they can amufe you. There are fome 
ideas ; and fome views, but it is only a 
iketch, which muft be filled up by the 
Reader, and you are perfectly capable of 
the tafk. 

Philofophy without Geometry, is like 
medicine without chemiftry. The greater 
number of modern Philofophers reafon in- 
conclufively, only becaufe they are un- 
acquainted with Geometry, They miftake 

fo^hifms 



C L EM E NT XIV. 159 

fbphifins for truths ; and if they lay down 
juft principles, they deduce falfe con- 
dufions from them. 

Study alone will not make a learned 
man, nor a knowledge of the fciences a 
Philofbpher. But we live in an age where 
great words impofe, and where men think 
themfclvesto be eminent geniufes, if they 
only contrive a fett of fmgular opinions. 
Diftruft thofe Writers who employ them- 
felves rather about the ftyle than the mat- 
ter, and who hazard every thing for the 
fake of furprifing. 

I (hall fend you, by the firft opportunity, 
a work upon Trigonometry ; and if it is 
neceflary, I will prove to you geometri- 
cally, that is to fay to a demonftration, that 
I am always your beft friend. 
R01LB9 22d June, 1753. 



LETTER LX. 

TO A FRIAR OF THE MINOR 
CONVENTUA L S. 

YOU are miftaken in thinking, my 
reverend Father, that I take no part 
in our general Chapters. I feel a warm 
intereft in them j not like an ambitious 

man 



i6o LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

man who defires to obtain promotion, but 
as a friend of our Order, who wilhed ar* 
dently that piety and fcieticfe may hold the 
firft rank in it. A Superior who is only 
learned may do much harm ; and he who 
is only a devotee may do niuch more. It is 
a moft judicious refledion of St. Therefa, 
. that there is no refource^ where there is no un- 

"^ derftanding. Befides fcience dnd piety, a 
Superior has need of a fpirit of wifdom and 
difcernment ; for there is a great deal of 
difference between teaching and governing. 
It has been remarked, that all the Writers, 
even thofe who have ^ven the fineft leflbns 
to Kings, have not been fit for admini- 
ftration. Good fenfe is a furer guide, than 
fine parts, or even genius, to condud 
men prudently. They who have too 
much vivacity, have too many ideas, and 
are continually changing their refolu- 
tions. 

I employ myfelf with all poflible zeal, 
to have thofe chofen Superiors who are 
fitted for governing, but without any 
felfifh view or intrigue. I wi(h for no 
other empire but my Cell ; and even there 
have trouble enough to reftrain my thoughts 
and imagination within bounds. Man is 
fo much the puppet of his paffions, that 

\r he does not always what he would, al- 
though always free to a6t, or to remain in- 
aftive. 

What 



' ^ CLEMENT XIV. i6i 

- What you dcfire (hall be propofed in 
the next aflfembly.; and I prefume, as far 
as one can anfwer for a multitude of opi- 
nions and different fpirits, that they will 
agree to it. Truth ought naturally to 
draw all m^n after it ; but it prefents itfelf 
under fo many different afpedls that every 
one judges according to his own eyes ; — 
the view varies according to our notions, 
and according tx) our interefts. 

Be convinced that 1 am, as I have been, 
always ready to oblige you, and always 
your good friend and fervant. 



LETTER LXI. 
TO CARDINAL SPINELLI. 

Most Eminent, 

YOUR Eminency may be fure that 
the book will be approved as it de- 
ferves. It contains nothing but what is 
moft orthodox and practicable, whatever 
fome people, who think themfelves infpired 
Dlay fay. If Pharifaical zeal was allowed 
to govern, we fhould very foon have no- 
thing in the Church but trifling ceremony ; 
and Religion, which is fo beautiful and 
lublime, would become a round of fu- 
perftitions. 



i62 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

People generally love thofe things which 
do not tend to reform the heart; and 
are pleafed with growing old without 
rooting out bad habits, believing a few 
prayers repeated in hafte fufficient to carry 
them to Heaven. 

It is not aftonifliing that the world 
fliould feduce us ; bat it is furprifing that 
men who fet themfelves up to oppofe its 
maxims, do not prefer ve the fouls of the 
people from this feduftion. Pharifees have 
lived in all ages, and will continue to the 
end of the world. They build whitened 
fepulchres, inftead of erecting temples to 
the Eternal ; and they lay the faithful 
afleep, by amufing them with ceremonials, 
which neither influence the heart norun- 
derftanding. 

It were to be wifhed that all the world, 
faw with the fame eyes as your Emi- 
nency. What a reformation of abufes! 
AVhat abfurd ufages fupprefTed! When 
the Paftor nouriiheth himfelf with the 
Holy Scripture, the Councils, and the Fa- 
thers, there is no danger of his Diocefe be- 
coming fuperftiiious. Muratori faid, that 
trifling devotions for the moft part rcfetnbled 
the compojitions for taking out ftains^ which 
lejjen the J pot only in appearance ^ hut^ infa£ly 
make it larger. 

Although loaded with bufmefs, I will 
prove to you, my Lord, by charging my- 
felf with whatever commands you pleafe 

to 



CLEMENT XIV. 163 

to lay upon me, that I will never rcfofe 
the happincfs of convincing you of the 
profound rcfpeft with which I am, &c. 
Rome, 3d July, 175a. 



LETTER LXII. 
TO THE ABBE LAMI. 

ID O not know how I (hall be able to 
recolledt myfelf in the midft of the dif- 
orders which reign in my Cell and in my 
head. — Every thing is pell-mell there:— 
one muft write to a methodical Author 
like you, to unravel fuch a chaos. 

If you had charafterifed the poetic ge- 
nius of each nation, your laft letter would 
have been a mafter-piece. The Italians 
are not fuch poets as the Englifli, nor the 
Germans fuch as the French. They re- 
femble each other in principles, but they 
differ in fervency and enthufiafm. The 
German poefy is a fire which fhines; the 
French, a fire that fparkles ; the Italian, 
a fire that burns ; and the Englilh, a fire 
that blackens. 

We accumulate too many images in our 
pieces in verfe ; and were we lefs prodigal 
of them, they would make a more lively 



i64 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
imprelTion. Nothing awakens the reader 
better than furprife ; and that cannot hap- 
pen when thofe things are too often multi- 
phed which produce this efFedt. 

Happy the fober fpirit, which in poetry, 
as in profe, is delicately {paring in epifodes 
and delbriptions ! I foon grow tired in a 
garden in which I fee cafcades and thickets 
every where ; but am charmed with groves 
and pieces of water difcovered by chance. 
Violets appear infinitely more beautiful, 
when feen only by halves under a thick 
foliage. A flower withdrawing from the 
view excites our curiofity. 

There is nothing beautiful but by com- 
parifon. If every thing was equally mag- 
nificent, the eyes would foon grow tired 
with continued admiration. Nature, which 
ought to be the model of all writers, varies 
her objefts fo as never to fatigue the fight : 
the richeft meadow is found in the neigh- 
bourhood of the fimpleft valley; and fre- 
quently a charming river at the fide of 
a gloomy hill. 

Repeat thefe leflbns, my dear Abb6, to 
correal our Poets, if poflible, of their 
profufion of beauties, which refemble heaps 
of gold piled up without either order or tafte. 
Your detached fheets are admired as much 
as your genius; and when a Journalifl: has 
acquired this double fame, he may talk 
like a mafter, withacertainty of being at- 
tended to. 

When 



CLEMENT XIV. 165 

When I was a young fcholor, I loft one 
of my companions, to whom fy mpathy had 
ftrongly united me. Alas ! after having 
taken many folitary walks together, and 
made many reflexions upon things which 
we knew not at that time, but wifli- 
ed to know, he died ; and I thought I 
could not find a better way of aifuaging 
my forrows, than by addrefling fome 
verfes to him, from a cotividion which I 
then had, and ftill have, that we only 
change one life for another when we ap- 
pear to die. 

I chiefly praifed his candour and piety, 
for he was a model of virtue. But the 
fault of this eulogium, as I was made to 
obferve, was its being overloaded with 
defcription, I introduced all the beau- 
ties of the country, and did not give my 
reader time to breathe. It was a tree 
choaked with leaves and branches, where 
there was no fruit to be feen. 

From that time I never attempted any 
more verfes. I contented myfelf with 
reading the Poets, and applying myfelf to 
know their faults and their beauties. All 
that vexed me v^as, that my Poem being 
fo full of errors, would not defcend to 
pofterity, and that my fnend pn every 
account deferved the honour of being im- 
mortalized. 

He will never be effaced from my heart : 
ind thus it is that true friends have a re- 



i66 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 
fource in fentiment, when they have not 
fufficiAnt genius to perpetuate the memory 
of their afFedtions.— This, is my pofition 
in refped to you. Withdraw your atten- 
tion from thefe thoughts of mine to fix 
it upon the attachment I have vowed to 
you, and you will find that if I am not a 
good fpeaker, I am at lead a good friend 
and a good fervant. Put me to the proof. 
RoME» lothDec. 1755. 



4UP 09 tuP^Qp oF 49 49 ^UP 4D 

LETTER XXni. 
TO BARON KRONECH, A GERMAN. 

ID O not know, Sir, whether I fhould 
admire moft, your genius or agreeable 
manners. Nothing can prove better than 
your example, how eminently the Germans 
are endowed with the neceflary qualities 
for forming friendfliips. All thofe with 
whom I am acquainted, have the moft 
amiable difpofitions in the world. 

If you continue to employ yourfelf ufe- 
fully, you will do honour to your nation, 
and to all thofe who have known you. I 
congratulate myfelf that an accident pro- 
cured me the pleafure of your agreeable * 
converfation. I have always been a gainer 

by 



CLEMENT XIV. 167 

by being communicative; for I have met 
with people who have merited the ftrongeft 
attachment, or who have needed advice 
and afliilance. 

It is fo agreeable to oblige, that when 
we are led by that motive, we cannot make 
too great advances to thofe that fall in our 
way. I could wifti not to finifti this let- 
ter, from the defire I have to entertain 
you ; but I mull attend prayers, and my 
uliial employments, and am alfo afraid of 
tiring you. Receive, then, without cere- 
mony, the vows which I put up that I 
may fee you again, and that I may repeat 
how much I have the honour to be, 

Your's, &c. 



LETTER LXIV. 

TO MONSIEUR DE LA BRUYERE, CHARGED 
WITH THE AFFAIRS OF FRANCE, AT 
THE COURT OF ROME. 

Sir, 

I CALLED at your houfe, with a de- 
fign to fteal at leaft one hour of your 
lime, with a certainty of improving by it; 
but I could not penetrate into that pre- 
cious clofet, from whence you correfpond 

witK 



v^ 



168 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

with that of Veriailles in a manner fo ho- 
nourable for yourfelf, and advantageous 
for your amiable nation. 

I retired very fpeedily, as I have no po- 
liticks, but that of taking care to be en- 
gaged in none ; and I returned faying to 
myfelf, that I ought not to appear again at 
your houfe unlefs I am fent for. 

Neverthclefs, if I knew the hour you de- 
dicate to your good friends the Belles Let- 
treSy I would anxioufly endeavour to ap- 
proach you. Something would iffue from 
your excellent memory and brilliant ima- 
gination, which would embelliih mine 
and ferve to diftinguilh me in fociety. 

I always regret having heard but 
half the reading of a certain manufcript 
where Rome, fhewn as fhe is, moft arapljf 
fatisfies the curiofity. There the flowers ar( 
mixt with the fruit, and it is the moft a- 
greeable bafket which can be prefented tc 
people of tafte. My foul is impatient tc 
hear the reft. I know you are too obliging 
not to fatisfy her defire. 

You could not have chofen a happiei 
epoch than the reign of Benedidl XIV 
to paint Rome to advantage. It feems as 
if he revived this City in the eyes of Fo 
reigners, and that the Sciences refunw 
frefti luftre to pay their court t( 
him : fo true it is, that a monarch only i 
wanted to give life and motion event( 
things that are inanimate^ 

I 



CLEMENT XIV. 169 

If by great accident there happens to 
K one hour with which you are embar- 
affed, fend for Ganganelli, and he will 
^rove to you that there is neither fludy, 
bufmefs, nor vifit, which can detain him, 
when he is called upon to prove the zeal 
with which he has the honour to be, &c. 
Rome, 2d March 1753. 



LETTER LXV. 
TO THE SAME. 

INDEED you are too generous, when 
you would give me three hours of 
your time, and leave them to my own 
choice. To-morrow, then, fince you al- 
low me, I will go and enjoy the benefit of 
your kindnefs. It would be in vain to 
whifper to my Genius, to deck herfelf out 
for this interview with all the elegance ftie ^ 
is miftrefsof ; for fhe muft be content with 
admiring you in filence. Timidity, with a 
cx)nfcioufnefs of pofleffing but few or tri- 
fling accomplifliments, will hinder her from 
appearing to the leaft advantage before 
you. You muft therefore expeft to be at 
the whole expence of the entertainment 
yourfelf i and no one but you, who are as 



170 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 
modeil as you are well informed, will 
repine at it. 

Notwithftanding all the pleafure I (hall 
have in waiting on you, I (hould ftill have 
more, if the Duke de Nivernols is yet 
with you, whofe foul and genius is uni- 
-verfally admired. He is one who is only 
learned with the learned, and whofe fcience, 
if we may ufe the expreffion, is interwoven 
with rofes and jeflamine. 

I will communicate a produdion of one 
of our young Monks to you, which will 
convince you that there is not only learn- 
ing, but likewife genius to be met with 
in the Cloifter^ when talents are exercifed 
as if they were encouraged. Plants that 
have been thought barren, have fometimes 
produced moft excellent fruit. 

I have the honour, &c, 

Rome, 3d. March, 1753. 



LETTER LXV. 

TO CARDINAL QUIRINI, BISHOP OF 
BRESCIA. 

Most Eminent, 

YOUR Eminency does me too much 
honour, and has too good an opi- 
nion of my weak abilities, when you deign 

to 



CLEMENT XIV. 171 

to a(k me how Theology (hould be ftudied 
and taught. 

Formerly there was only one way of un^ 
folding that fublime fcience, which having 
its fource in God himfelf, fpreads in 
the midft of the church like a majeftic 
and moft abundant River ; and that was 
called the Pofitive. 

From the refpeft which was paid to the 
fecred dodtrines of the Holy Scriptures, 
the Councils, and the Fathers, the Pro- 
fcffors of Theology were undoubtedly con- 
tent to place morals and the evangelical 
opinions quite fimply before the eyes of 
the ftudcnta. Thus the Commandments 
of God were propofed formerly to the Jews 
without a- commentary, and they treafured 
them up in their hearts and memories, as 
what ought principally to engage them, 
and be the means of their happinefe. 

The Church, although feated upon the 
Holy Mountain whofe foundations are eter- 
nal, has been always agitated by tempefts, 
and has feen rebellious children fpringing 
from her bowfels, from time to time, who 
had learnt the delufions of fophiftry ; and 
it was their artful language which obliged 
the Defenders of the Faith to aflume the 
method of fyllogifm. 

All the world knows the time when 
certain teachers were obliged to arm them- 
felvcs with enthymemes and fyllogifms, to 
drive thofe heretics from their laft en- 

treucbnvtw^'^ 



/ 



172 LETTERS OF GANGANEL LI, 
trenchments, who cavilled at the mean- 
ings of the Scripture, and at all its terms. 

Thomas, that Angel of the Schools, and 
Scotus, that fubtile Dodtor, thought they 
muft make ufe of the fame form ; and 
their method^ fupported by their (hining 
reputation, mfenfibly prevailed in the 
Univerfities. 

But as eveiry thing commonly degene- 
rates, it was not poffible to keep the pofnrot 
Theology in ufe-, and the manner of teach- 
ing in the fchools, which thence got the 
name of Jcbolaftic^ ran too often upon 
words and diftindtions. They perplexed 
every thing from their folicitude to clear 
up every thing, iand often replied to no- 
thing, from their defire to anfweralL 

Befides that this wrangling only fiiited 
Philofophy, it had the appearance of ren- 
dering the moft certain things problema- 
tical : and this was the more unhappy, as 
they agitated fome ridiculous queftions, 
and fplit upon myfteries, whofe fublimity 
and depth ought to have flopped every 
manof refleftion. 

However, as the Scholaftic method had 
the advantage of affifting the memory, by 
giving form to reafonlngs ; and the abiife 
with which it is reproached, never darken- 
ed the holy truths, whofe reign is as 
lafting as God himfelf; it was thought 
proper ftill to preferve it. 

I have 



CLEMENT XIV. 173 

I have always thought, my Lord, that 
the Scholaftic manner modified, as it is 
taught at the Sapienza in Rome, and in 
the firft fchools of the chriftian world, 
might fubfift without enervating morals, 
or altering dodtrines, provided the Pro- 
feflbrs be men of found underftanding, 
and not apt to miftake fimple opinions 
for articles of Faith. 

Nothing . is more dangerous than to 
give as a matter of faith, what is only a 
matter of opinion, and to confound a 
pious belief with a thing which is re- 
vealed. The true Theologift employs 
only real and folid diftlnftions, and draws 
no confequences but from clear and pre- 
cife principles. 

A truth is never better eftablifhed than 
by the univerfal approbation of all the 
Churches, which is a circumftance the 
greater part of modern Theologians do not 
fufficiently attend to. The tenets of the 
Eucharift never appeared more folidly efta- 
blilhed, than when the dodtrines on that 
fubjedt among the Roman Catholics and 
the Greek fchifmaticks were (hewn to be 
fo fimilar. 

Theology, to be folid and fhinirig, that 
is to fay, to preferve its mod eflential at- 
tributes, Tieeds only a clear and fimple ex- 
pofition of all the articles of the Faith, 
and then it will appear fupported by all 
its proofs, and all its authorities. 

Vol. I. L If 



^ 

_ ) 



174 LETTERS OFGANGAKELLI, 

If Theologians would eftabHlh, for ex- 
ample, the truth of the myftery of the In- 
carnation, they muft Ihew th^t God^ whc 
could not a£t but for himfelf^ had in view 
at the creation of the world, the Eternal 
I Word by whom the world was made ; and 
^ \tbat informing Adam^ as Tertullian fays,, he 
\ traced out the lineaments of Jefus Chrift^ 
I Thj^ is conformable to the dottrine of St- 
fc^^^^Hfeul, who declares in the moft exprefs 
^^ manner, that all exifts in the Drvinc Me- 
^^ diator, and fubfifts only by him^ Omrna 
per ipfum £5? in ipfo conjiant. 

They prove afterwards by the types and 
the prophecies whofe aatliendcity they 
fliew, that the Incarnation is their obje<9^ 
and that there 13 nothing in thefe holy 
books which does not relate to it, diredily 
or indirectly : then they (hew the time and 
the place where this ineffable myftery was 
acxx)mplifhed, examining the character of 
the ftgns which accompanied it, the wit- 
nefles who attefted it, the wonders which 
followed it, and difplay all the traditions 
upon that fubjedt 

They next demonftrate the autho- 
rity of the Fathers of the Church, the 
force of their reafonings, the fublimity 
of their comparifons ; and employ the 
fcholaftic method to unravel the fophif- 
tries of herefiarchs, to combat and con- 
quer them with their own weapons. 

Thus 



CLEMENT XIV. 175 

Thus Pofitivc theology refemblcs a mag- 
nificent garden, and the Scholailic method 
of reaibnmg is a hedge ftuck with thorns, 
to prevent noxious animals from getting 
in and ravaging it. 

If I taught only the Scholaftic method 
vhcn I was Ledurer in theology, it was be- 
caufe being of the fame brotherhood with 
Scotus, I could not decline teaching after 
his method. An individual cannot change 
the mode of inftruction in an Order of 
which he is a member, but with an ill 
grace ; it might be often attended with 
bad confequences — not that we fhould 
fervilely embrace fantaftick opinions. 

For you, my Lord, who, in quality of 
Biihop have an inconteftible right toj pre- 
fcribc the method of teaching, and give it 
what form you pleafe, I beg of you to re- 
oommend to your Theologians to ufe the 
Scholaftic mode with difcretion, for fear 
f of enervating Theology. 

I believe your views would be anfwered, 
if they were to draw from the fources, in- 
ftead of fimply copying from the manu- 
Icript theologies; and if they would be 
content to explain the doftrines of the 
Qiurch without giving into difputes, or 
I>arty fpirit. 

This fpirit is the more dangerous, my 

Lord, as they then fubftitute their own 

opinions for eternal truths, which every 

one ought to refpeft ; and enter into alter- 

L 2 cations 



176 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
cations which, under pretence of fupport- 
ing the caufe of God, extinguilh charity. 

Do not permit them to fupport free 
will, by denying the ahnighty power of 
grace ; nor, by enhancing the value of that 
ineftimable and intirely free gift, todeftroy 
liberty ; nor from too great refped 
for the Saints, to forget what they owe 
to Jefus Chrift. All theological truths 
are but one, in the manner they hold to- 
gether ; and there are fome covered with a 
myfterious veil, which it is impoflible to 
draw afide. 

The great fault of fome Theologians is 
a defire to explain every thing, and not 
knowing where to ftop. The apoftle has 
told us, for example, in fpeaking of 
Heaven, that eye bath not feen^ nor ear 
heard what God has re/erved for bis 
Saints ; and yet they give us a defcription 
of Paradife as if they had juft returned 
from thence. They affign ranks to the 
Chofen, and would almoft cry out " He- 
** refy !*' againftthe men who fhould dare 
to contradift them. The true Theologian 
ftops where he fhould ; and when a thing 
has not been revealed, or the church has 
not pronounced upon it, he does not take 
upon him to decide. There will always 
be an impenetrabale cloud between God 
and man, till the moment of eternity. 

The types ceafed with the old Law, to 
give place to reality ; but the evidence is 

not 



CLEMENT XIV. 177 

not to be found till after death ; fuch is 
the oeconomy of Religion. It were to be 
wifhed, my Lord, that in fpeaking of 
God they would always pronounce his 
name with a holy fervour; not as a Being 
whom they read, but asa Spirit whofe im- 
menfe perfections excite the greateft re- 
fpedt and admiration. Thus inftead of fay- 
ing that God would be unjuft, God would 
be a liar, God would not be all-powerful, if 
fuch and fuch things happened; they ftiould 
take care that no fuch injurious expref- 
fions be joined to that name. Let us be 
content to anfwer with St. Paul i " Can 
*' there be any injuftice in God ? God for- 
** bid:" Numquid iniqiiitas apud Deum ? 
Abfit, 

The name of God is fo awful and holy, 
that it Ihould never be introduced into hu- 
man compofuions or debates. It is not 
enough that man may exercife his talents 
upon the phenomena of nature, that he 
may difpute about the elements and their 
efFefts, without making God himfelf the 
fubjedt of his argument ? 

This has rendered Theology ridicu- 
lous in the eyes of Freethinkers, and 
has perhaps taught them to ufe the Al- 
mighty's name in all their objections and 
their farcafms :— for how can theology which 
is the difplay of the wifdom of Provi- 
dence, and the attributes of an infinite Being 
who is all-excellent and all-powerful, ap- 
L 3 ^<l^r 



i7«LETTERSOF GANGANELLI, 
pear to be a trifling fciencc, except from its 
being prefented without dignity ? Shall 
the nature of a grain of fand that the 
wind fporteth with at pleafure, of an in- 
fcdt that is trod under foot, of the earth 
itfelf which is periftiable, be ftudied 
before the knowledge of God himfelf? 
that God from whom we have our being, 
in whom we live and move, before 
whom the fea is but a drop of water, the 
mountains a point, and the w^hole uni- 
vcrfc an atom ! 

It is with the grandeur of the immenfe 
and Supreme Being, that the Theologian 
ftould begin his courfe of theology. After 
having demonftrated his abfolute necef- 
fary exiflence, and that it is neceflarily 
eternal ; after having fought for the crea- 
tion of fpirits even in his bofom ; after 
having proved that all flows from him as 
its flirft principle ; that all breathes in him 
as its center; that all returns to him as its 
end ; he fhould then difplay his immenfe 
wifiJom and his infinite goodnefs, from 
whence refults Revelation, and the wor- 
fliip it has ordained. 

Then the natural law, the written law and 
the law of Grace, ftiould appear each in their 
pre-eminence, according to the order of 
chronology. He fhould next demonfl:rate 
how God was always worfhipped by a fmall 
number in fpirit and in truth ; how the 
Church annihilated the Synagogue, and 

from 



CLEMENT XIV. 179 

firom age to age cut off thofe rebels who 
would have corrupted its morals and opi- 
nions ; and how, always powerful in words 
and works, it was ftipported by learned teach- 
ers, and preferved its purity amidft the 
moft dreadful fcandaland cruel divifions. 

It is neceffary that tliofe who ftudy The- 
ology (hould be edified by what is taught 
them, and not be amufed by falfe glimmer- 
ings, more capable of dazzling than illumi- 
nating them. Let them be led to the plircft 
fource under the guidance of St. Au- 
guiline and St. Thomas, and fhun with 
cane whatever has the appearance of novelty ; 
— let them be infpired with a fpirit of evan^ 
gelical toleration, with a tenderncfe even 
for thofe who combat the Faith, and be 
impreffed with the fpirit of Jefus Chrift, 
which is not that of harlhncfs or of 
tyranny. 

It is not by invet^tives againft heretics, 
nor by giving vent to a bitter zeal againft 
unbelievers, that they are to be led back 
into the way of truth, but by manifeftinga 
finccre defire for their converfation ; and in 
fpeaking of, to (how a fincere love for, 
them, even at the time when their fo- 
phiftVies are to be expofed. 

It is neceffary that the Profeffors of 
Theology (hould oppofe the Pagan Theo- 
logians to the Chriftian, as the fureft 
means ofoverturning their Mythology, co- 
vering their ancient fuperftitions with per- 
L 4. ^tXM'aL 



r 



i8o LETTERS OF G ANGAN ELLI, 
petual ridicule, and raifing the dodrines 
of the Incarnate World on their ruins. 

It is yet more neceflary that thefe Profef- 
fors be not fy ftematical. They fhould depend 
upon the Church, the Scriptures and Tradi- 
tion, when they teach eternal truths, becaufe 
they are then deputed by the body of Paf- 
tors to teach in their name, and to cxcr- 
cife their power. 

Would to God they had faithfully fol- 
lowed this method! The Church would 
not have feen the moft afBitting and ob- 
ftinate difputes arife in her bofom. Paf- 
fion- takes place of charity, and the ha- 
tred of the Teachers produceth the moft 
fatal cfFedts. 

Hence it foHows, my Lord that your 
Eminency cannot be too attentive in ap- 
pointing moderate men as Theologians, 
from the apprehenfion that bitter zeal may 
do more harm than good. The fpirit of 
the Gofpel is a fpirit of peace, and it is not 
right that they who preach it (hould be tur- 
bulent. 

If I dare, my Lord, I would beg your 
Eminency to compofe a body of Theology 
which fhould be the eftablifhed lelTon of 
your diocefe, and would certainly be adopt- 
ed by a number of Biftiops. The liberty 
of the fchools fhould only be allowed in 
indifferent queftions ; becaufe there is 
only one Baptifm and one Faith. 

Theology 



CLEMENT XIV. igi 

Theology fhould no^t be employed to 
exercife the genius of young people, but 
to enlighten them, and to raife them up, 
even to Him who is the fulnefs and fource 
of all light. 

It will be proper to provide the fcholars 
with the beft books relative to the doc- 
trines which are taught them. The beft 
way of ftudying Religion, is to make them- 
felves well acquainted with the Holy Scrip- 
tures, the Councils, and the Fathers. 
Such a courfe of ftudy will prevent them 
from ftraying into the paths of error, and 
teach them to fpeak of Chriftianlty in a 
manner worthy of the fubjeft. 

I have nothing farther to add, my Lord, 
but that a Profcffor of Theology fhould 
be equally learned and pious. Eternal 
truth's fhould, as far as it is poffible be 
only heard from lips that are holy. 
There will refult from thence a blefling 
from heaven upon the matter, the fcholars, 
and an odour of life upon the whole dio- 
cefe. Italy has always had ^Theologians 
whofe life kept pace with the purity of 
their Theology. 

Excufe my temerity, my Lord, which 
would have been unpardonable, if your 
Eminency had not commanded me to give 
you my opinion. 

I fubmit it wholly to your judgment, 

having the honour to be with the mofl 

L 5 p^rfeft 



iSa LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
perfeft obedience, and the profoundeft 
refped, &c. 
RowKy jift May» 1753. 

LETTER LXVIL 

TO THE COUNT DE BIELK, A SENATOR OF 
ROME. 

IW I L L wait upon your moft illuftrious 
Lordfliip as foon as I poflibly can, to 
examine the manufcript you did me the fa- 
vour to mention. There is no place where 
a Monk can be more at his eafe, than with 
your Excellency. He there finds delicious 
retirement, exquifite books, and your 
amiable converfation. There is nothing fo 
agreeable in the commerce of life, as that 
pbilofophic liberty which (hakes off fervi- 
tude, elevates itfelf above grandeur, ads 
without conftraint, and is governed by 
no rule but duty. 

And yet you tell me that you are not 
happy. Alas! what is it you want to 
make you fo? Thofe haughty Romans 
who formerly inhabited the Capitol where 
you relide, notwithftanding their reputa- 
tion and philofophy, poffeifed not your 
tranquility 5 — They lived in the midft of 

tempefts. 



CLEMENT XiV. i8^ 

tempefts, and you are in the center of 
peace: — They were always in war, and 
Rome is now the city of which the Pro- 
phet fpeaks, wbofe borders were peace ; 
^i po/uit fines fuos pacem. 

It is neither in riches nor in buflle that 
we can be happy; but in a well chofen 
ibciety of books and friends. We are 
undone if humour or caprice gets poflef-* 
fion of us ; — they are our greateft enemies. 

Your Excellency has fuch refources in 
your own mind, that you ought never to 
complain of liftleflhefs. For my part, I 
have only a fort of dictionary knowledge 
of that evil. But if it was at any time 
to intrude into my cell, I fbould foon find 
a remedy for it : I would come and profit 
by 3^ur knowledge, and often repeat to 
you the fentiments of refpedt and eftecm 
with which 1 am, &c. 
Convent of the Holy Apostles. 



LETTER LXVIIL 

TO COUNT *♦*. 

WELL^ my dear frieftd, what are 
you doing? It is a long time 
fincc I faw you \ I certainly do not deferve 

to 



i84 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
to be deprived of that plcafure. You 
know that I willingly quit my pen, my em- 
ployment, and my books, when you 
come to fee me. 

They who come to vifit us, have no oc- 
cafion for our ftudies nor our bufinefs; 
and that is what very few reclufes think 
of. They are only employed about them- 
felves or their intereft, when you meet 
them, without reflecting that they ought 
to dedicate themfelves intirely to thofe who 
come to feek them. 

I have always made it a law to receive 
every perfon well who honours me with a 
vifit, even the man that comes to importune 
me — it is fuffkient that he is my neigh- 
bour. Now judge after this, if you will 
be well received. 

It is almoft eighteen days fince I faw 
the little Abbg. I am afraid, but I dare 

not tell you that The art of being 

filent is a great virtue : — happy they who 
fay nothing but what they ought to fpeakl 
Accuflom yourfelf to be fecret, without af- 
fefting difcretion: — a myfterious man is 
infufFerable in fociety ; and it requires 
little fegacity eafily to penetrate the views 
of him who always appears to keep his 
mind to himfelf. 

I am not refer ved, but I make nobody my 
confident, with regard either to my cor- 
refpondents and relations. Never employ 

fineffe j 



CLE ME N T XIV. 185 

finefle ; it is a wretched refource, incom- 
patible with probity, and eafily difcovered. 

I have been already told who the lady 
is that is defigned for you ; and after the 
pidlure which has been given of her, as a 
perfon who has neither falfe devotion, pre- 
tended modefty, nor fantaftical humours. 
I think fhe will fuit you. 

I will tell you more when we meet ; but 
let it be foon, to-morrow, to day, in- 
ftantly. I am without referve your fer- 
vant and beft friend, &c. 



LETTER LXIX. 
TO R.P.CONCINA, A DOMINICAN. 

IT is undoubtedly very ftrange, my re- 
verend Father, that in an age fo en- 
lightened there ftiould be Cafuifts to 
teach the abominations which you combat- 
They who find your zeal too bitter, do 
not know what Religion exadts, when mo- 
rals and opinions are attacked. In fuch a 
cafe *tis right to fay to you: Clama^ ne 
€effes\. 

If the Church had never exclaimed with 
a loud voice, every fort of error would 
haveftolen imperceptibly upon her; but 

t C17 without Cea^ng* 



i»6 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI, 
whenever a heterodox or relaxed opinion 
darted up, immediately the facred trum* 
pet was founded, that Pallors might watch 
inceffantly to flop the fource of the evil. 

Your work gave me a moft fenfiblcplca- 
fure. I found in it that holy zeal which 
charadtcrifes the Fathers of the Church. I 
would very willingly come to fee you-, but 
your employments, like mine, prevent me 
from gratifying the inclination I fhould 
have, to affure you verbally of the rc- 
fpedtful confideration with which I ha\c 
the honour to be, &c. 

Rome, 7th March, 1753. 



LETTER LXX. 
TO CARDINAL GENTILL 

Most Eminent, 

IW I L L attend exa6\ly at the hour your 
Eminency liath appointed, being jea- 
lous of proving upon every occafion how 
much your orders are refpedable in my 
fight. It will be impoffible for me to bring 
the writing you mention, as it is not finifh- 
cd ; but I will endeavour to fupply what is 
wanting from my memory. Sometimes it 

ferves 



JC L E M E N T XIV. i»7 

ferves me very well. I am with the pro- 
foundeft rcfpcft, 
f Your Eminency*s, &c. 

RoMi, TthMtrch, 1753. 






LETTER LXXL 

To MONSIGNOR ZALUSKI, GRAND REFEr 
RENDARY OF POLAND. 

My Lord, 

I HAVE fruitlefly fearched fur the 
book you afk of me: it ia neither 
5n our library, nor in all Rome. It will 
lequire a (agacity equal to your own to be 
able to difcover it : for what work is there 
which you have not dragged from its con- 
cealment? There is not a book in the 
world which does not owe you homage, or 
can elcape your fearch. 

You will perpetuate the honour which 
die Foliih nation hath acquired at all 
times,, by fignalizingyour uncommon eru- 
dition. We (ball never forget Copernicus 
for natural Philofophy, Hofiua for The- 
ology, Zalufki fof HlAoTy^ Zamoifki for 
the Belles'LettreSj the Fathers of the Eious 
Schools for learning, and Sobielki for the 
art of war. 



i88 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

The library which you have made pub- 
lic, in concert with your illuftrious bro- 
ther the Bifiiop of Cracow, is filled with 
Polifti Writers, whodiftinguiftithemfelves 
on every fubjedt. It is a pity fo celebrated 
a Republic (hould not encourage a love of 
fcience among its filbjedts, and that the 
fpirit fo natural to your worthy country- 
men ftiould remain uncultivated. 

The wars, of which Poland has been fo 
often the dreadful theatre, has made a 
number of Authors mi fcarry . They would 
have penned the productions of their ge- 
nius with indelible inl^ as they have writ- 
ten the proofs of their valour with their 
own blood. 

Circumftances almoft always determine 
the fate of men : — one ftifles his tafte for the 
fciences by turning foldier; another re- 
commends himfelf by bis learning, becaufe 
he leads a private life j and it is Provi- 
dence which difpofeth all for the beft: 
fortiter fuaviterque difponens omnia 

I wi(h, my Lord, that your love of 
books and fcience would infpire you with a 
defire to revifit Rome. You came formerly 
to be inftrudled ; — you will come now to 
give leffons, to receive the refpeds of all 
the world, and in particular thofe of 

Your mod humble, &c. 

Rk}me, 9^h July, 1755. 

LET- 



CLEMENT XIV. 189 



L E TT E R LXXII. 

TO A MONK, ONE OF HIS FRIENDS, 
APPOINTED A BISHOP. 

AFTER having been an humble 
difciple of St. Francis, behold you 
have got into the rank of the Apoftles ! 
It is fufficient to tell you, my dear friend 
that you ought not to raife yourfelf to dig- 
nity, except to be truly the fervant 
of all ; you ought not to fliine, but by 
the luftre of your virtue. 

There is not a dignity upon earth fo 
formidable in the eyes of the Faith, as that 
of a Bilhop. He mull watch night and 
day over the Flock of Jefus Chrift, and 
think that he is to anfwer at his tribunal 
for every ftray fheep. He muft renew 
himfelf, that he may not tire — multiply 
himfelf that he may be every where ; — 
and be alone, that he may ftudy and pray. 

There are two things fo eflential for 
Bilhops, that' they cannot deferve the title, 
without pofleffing them in an eminent de- 
gree; — Punty, to render them like the 
Angels themfelves, and which has pro- 
cured them that name in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, as appears in the firft chapters of 
the Revelation : — and Kn owled ge, which, 
the Gofpel itfelf, intitles them to the honour 
of being called the li^bt of tbc njoorU, Ks. 



1^ LETTERS OFOANGANELLI, 

men bearing an immaculate charadter, they 
ought not in the leaft to have their morals fuf- 
pedted ; and are like wife obliged to prefer ve 
others from corruption i and are therefore 
caHed the /ah of the earth. With refpeft to 
their learning, they ought to be eyes to the 
blind, feet to the lame, and the light of the 
world. It is not fufficicnt that^ a Bifliop 
be virtuous, and confult learned men 
to know what he (hall do ; he ought to 
be able to difcerri good from evil, and 
truth from error, for he is to judge of 
doftrines and morals; and if he does not 
poflefs a talent for judging, he will not 
have a talent for governing, and will be 
eafily deceived. 

What comforts me is, that you arc fo- 
lidly inftru<5ted, and that you wiJI fee AU 
yourfelf; which is abfolutely necefiary, 
that you may not be the dupe of hypo- 
crites or informers. 

I do not doubt of your having already 
meditated ferioufly upxon the Epiftle of 
Paul to Timothy, and of St. Peter to all 
the faithful. In the fir ft, you muft have 
feen that a Bifhop ought to be irreprehcn- 
fible, fober, chafte and.peaccable'; that he 
may not live like thofe Prelates whofe hif- 
tory is exactly that of the rich man 
clothed in purple and fine linen, and who 
live every day in fplendor, but leave La- 
zarus to die at their gate. 

From the fecond you will have fcarncd 
not to dominccT over acrj "E-cd&feftic under 



CLEMENT XIV. igi 

your care ; for the fpirit of Jcfus Chrift is 
not a fpirit of domitiioxi, but a fpirit of 
genit lcnefe and humi Htv ; fo that a Biftiop 
ought to look upon the Curates as his 
equjdjs, in the order of chriftian cliarity, 
though they are not fo in that of the Hie- 
rarchy. His houfe ought to be ever open 
to receive them. ' 

Do not flightly difpenfe with your fcl- 
dom preaching the word of God, remem- 
bering what St. Paul faid, that be was not 
Xent io b^ife^ but to preach. Manage 
ib, th^t there be no Sacrament which you do 
not adminifter from time to time, to fliew 
>^our Diocefans that you devote yourfelf to 
them in ficknefe or in health, at their 
V>irtbs as well as at their deaths. 

Above all, vifit regularly the diocefe 
Vrhich is intrufteTto you, and take care 
ichat your vifits be not like tcmpefts which 
infpire terror, but like beneficent dews 
Spreading chearfulnefs and fertility. 

If you find by chance any of your aP- 
liftants who have finned, ft retch over him 
the cloak of charit y, to lead him back to 
lits duty by gcntlenefs, and to hide the 
icandal as much as poflible. If it is a 
crime, engage him fecretly to quit his 
lituation, but fecure a retreat for him be- 
fore he leaves it. 

I will not defire you to have a paternal 
tendernefs for the Monks; That would 
be to offend . you. You owe to them 

what 



192 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
what you now are, and it was at their 
fchool that you, ^ as well as I, learnt all 
that we know. Vifit them often with cor- 
diality ; it is the way to excite a juft emu- 
lation among them, and to make them re- 
fpedted. It is to do lx)nour to one's felf, 
to honour thofe whofe lives are a continual 
labour. A general who ftiould defpife 
his officers, would deferve the greateft con- 
tempt himfelf. 

Do not fufFer the piety of the Faithful 
to be fed with falfe legends, nor to be oc- 
cupied in petty obfervances; but teach 
them to inftruft their flock to have re- 
courfe conftantly to Jefus Chrift, as our 
only Mediator, and to honour the Saints- 
only in reference to him. The method of^^ 
inftruftion is left to you, and you Ihouldk 
know what they teach. 

Do not eafily confent to admit into Or — 
ders; becaufe Italy abounds in fupernurae — 
rary Priefts, who carry their ignorance anci 
poverty into foreign nations, debafing th^ 
dignity of the Prieflhood, and diftionour— - 
ing their country. 

Give benefices which have a charge 
of fouls, only to perfons of acknow-^ 
ledged merit, efpecially in learning and 
piety i and pay attention to him who has 
long laboured, in preference to one newly 
ordained. 

AiTociate with you for the government 
of your Diocefe thofe only who have 

grown 



CLEMENT XIV. 193 

grown grey in the miniftry, and whofe 
age, as well as virtue, will give them au- 
thority. A Bifhop is defpifed who has 
only young people for his fociety and 
and council, becaufe on every occafion they 
can influence his judgement. The Pope has 
only one Vicar General, and confequcntly 
one is fufficient for you. 

Let the lowefl of your titles be my Lord^ 
and thofe of Father and Servant be much 
more dear to you ; for the fajhion of this 
worldpajfetb away^ and all grandeur with it. 

In fine, while in the midft of riches 
and honours, do not receive more than is 
neceflary to fupply your wants, and make 
you refpedted ; refleding, that Saint Paul 
kept his body in fubjedlion^ and that every 
Chriftian ought to mortify himfelf. 

Above all, I fay, rdSde, and I fay again, 
refide. A fhepherd who keeps at a dif- 
tance from his flock without reafon, has 
no right to eat. 

Thefe are harfh truths ; but as we can- 
not change them, you muft either fubmit 
to them, or abdicate. 

Let the poor be your friends, your bro- 
thers and your 'companions. You can- 
not give too much. Al ms-givi ng is one 
of the moft eflential obligations of a Bi(hop, 
and muft be done in houfes, in prifons, in 
public places, indeed every-where, to fol- 
low the fl:eps of our Divine Saviour, who 
never ceafed during his, mortal life to do 

good 



194 LETTERS OF GANGANELLl, 
good. But give with chearfulncfs— AiZ«r«i 
dauorem diligit D(f«j f— and give infucha 
manner that you become indigent yourfelf. 

I fay nothing to you about your domef- 
tic employments, convinced that you will 
divide your time between prayer, ftudy, 
and the Government of your Dioccfe. A 
Biftiop never tires of reading the Scrip- 
tures and the Fathers, when he knows their 
value, when he doth not live in diffipation, 
and is fenfible that a Bifhopric is a for^ 
midable burden and not a fccular dignity. 

Hear all the world, and make yourfelf 
p opula r after the example of our Divine 
Mailer, who allowed even little children 
to approach him, and fpoke to them with 
the greeted goodneis". Frequently vifit 
thofe individuals of your Diocefe who have 
met with any misfortune, that you may be 
their help and their comfort. 

It is an odious thing in a Bilhop to 
know none but thofe of rank and fortune 
in ^his Diocefe. The lower people mur- 
mur, and with reafon ; for they are of- 
ten more precious in the fight of God. 

If there fhould be any difpute among 
the inhabitants of the town where your bi- 
fhopric lies, inftantly become a me diator . 
A Birtiop (hould know no law-fuits but 
thofe of other people, and labour to ac- 
commodate them. 

Examin e the Ecclef iafticks, yourfelf, who 
apply for orders, and take care that they 

never 
t GodloveiViacYit2Lt^\A^v\«. 



I 



CLEME.NT XIV. igj 

never be afked qaeflioc^ that are childifh, 

or foreign to what they ought to know. 

Take care that your Confeflors obferve the 

Rules of St. Charks in the Tribunal of 

t^enitence. 

Do not, on pretence of bufinefs, fall 
into thq habit of going but feldom 
Ho your Church. The Public will 
Tiot be fatisfied with fuch reafons ; they 
cJefire to be edified ; and who will pray to 
<jod, if the Bifhop will not ? 

When you have thu5 filled up^ the mea- 
sures of your time, you will find your- 
self furrounded with a multiftude of good 
'^ofks at the hour of death. You know 
liaat they follow us into eternity, while 
^ide, grandeur, and titles axe loft in the 
<iarknefs of the grave, and leave a fright- 
ful void in the foul. Read often what is 
iaid to the Bi(hops defcribed in the Reve- 
lations, and tremble^ 

I believe I have run over all the duties 
of a Biftiop, in this letter ;— it is for you 
to pradife them. You have certainly faid 
to yourfelf, and much better than I can, 
what I have juft now reminded you of, 
but you called upon me for my counfels.— 
They' proceed, I fwear to you, from the 
moft lively friendfliip and fincere defire to 
fee you labour efFedualy toward your own 
falvation, in labouring for that of otliers. 
You are doubly obliged to it, both as 
a Monk and a Bi(hop. 

I wait 



196 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

I wait your being indudted, to write to 
you with more ceremony. Adieu ! I era- 
brace you with all my heart. 

Convent of the Holy Apostles, 
30th May, 1755. 



LETTER LXXIII. 
TO THE ABBE L A M I. 

I AM enchanted with your laft (heet. 
Your criticifm is accurate, and it is 
thus you (hould cenfure, without impa- 
tience, caprice or partiality, according to 
the rules of juftice and tafte. Growing 
talents have often been difcouraged by 
being judged with too much rigour. I 
do not know any one work, ancient or 
modern, which will not appear defective, 
if you are difpofed to criticife every part 
of it. Authors have need of the indul- 
gence of Reviewers ; and Reviewers them- 
felves, of the indulgence of the Public, be- 
caufe there is nothing abfolutely perfect. 

I am much obliged to you for the ac- 
count you give us from time to time of 
French books. Thofe of the laft age had 
more force, but thofe of the prefent are 
more pleafing. It is common enough to 
have the fine give place to the pretty ; it 
is the diminutive which is derived from 



^, CLEMENT XIV. 197 

the fubftantive. Your eulogium of Cardi- 
nal Lancfi is jiiilly due to him. He edi- 
fies the whole Church by his fhining vir- 
tues, iand they aare accompanied with an 
immenfe variety of knowledge. I Ihould 
be delighted, if he lived at Rome ; — I 
would endeavour to merit his approbation, 
in order to enjoy the benefit of his en*- 
lightened underflainding. He is -a pupil 
of the Congregatbn of St. Genevieve in 
France, fo renowned for knowledge and 
piety, and wore the habit of that Order 
for fome time. 



LETTER LXXIV. 
TO A GENTLEMAN OP TUSCANY. 

THE education you propofe giving 
your childrai will be only a varnifh, 
if it iiS not founded upon religion. There 
are fome occafions in the courfe of life, 
where probity is not fufficiently ftrong to 
pefift certain temptations, and where the 
foul is debafed, if it is not raifed by the 
firm belief of Immortality. 

It is necel&ry for the wifdom and hap- 
pinefs of man, that he (hould have a view 
of the Deity from his tendereft infancy, as 

Vol L M ^^ 



r^ 



198 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 
the principle and the end of all things ; 
and reafon and faith (hould tell him, that 
it is defcending to the rank of beafts 
to be without either worfhip or law : he ' 
ftiould be made to know that Truth being 
one, there can be only one Religion ; and 
if our belief was not determined by 
authority, every one would have his own 
fyftem, and his own opinion. 

It is not by an attention to trifling cere- 
monies that you will make your children 
true Chriftians. Chriftianity is the greatcft 
enemy to Pharifaical zeal and fuperftition. 
The Church prefcribes duties enough 
without our endeavouring to multiply 
them. We too frequently negledt what is 
precept, to follow what is only advice, 
becaufe we love rather to hearken to ca- 
price than to reafon ; and becaufe pride 
and Angularity perfeftly agree. 

You (hould take a great deal of pains 
to elevate the fouls of your three young 
people, and to convince them, that the 
greateft plea fare of man is to refled, and 
to be confcious of his exiftence. This is a 
pleafure fo fublime, and fo worthy of a 
heavenly fpirit, that I look upon him who 
knows not this happinefs, as a wretched, 
or, at leaft, an infenfible being. 

The Catechifm is fufficient to teach re- 
vealed truths : but in an age of infidelity, 
fomething more is wanted than the Alpha- 
bet of Religion : You (hould therefore fill 

your 



CLEMENT XIV. 199 

your children's minds with thofe pure 
lights which diffipate the clouds of modern 
philofophy, and the darknefs of corrup- 
tion. 

A few but folid books will make your 
children well-informed Chriftians. Let 
them be read lefs with an intention to fix 
them in the memory, than to grave them 
on the heart. It is not neceflary to form 
young people to defend a thefis, but to be 
obliged as rational creatures to convince 
themfelves of eternal truths. 

When youth have ftudied religion from 
its firft principles, they feldom fufFer them- 
ielves to be feduced by fophiftry and 
impiety, unlefs the heart be intirely cor- 
rupted. 

You ftiould watch carefully to preferve ^ 
them fpotlefs, not by employing informers 
and fpies, but by having your ears and 
your eyes every where to imitate the Deity 
whom we do not fee, but who feeth over 
all. 

The children ftiould not perceive that 
they are diftrufted andobferved, for that 
will difcourage them, and make them 
murmur ; they will conceive averfion 
againft thofe they ought to love, fufped 
an evil which they would not have thought 
of, and feek only to deceive : — Hence it is 
that all Scholars a<ft only from fear, and are 
never more pleafed than when at a diftance 
from their Superiors. 

M 2 ^ 



200 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 

Be lefs the maftcr than the friend of 
your children ; and then they will be 
tranfparent to your eyes, and even tell 
their faults themfelves. Young folks have 
a hundred times told me their griefs and 
their errors, becaufe I always treat tbem 
with mildnefs : — they will give you the 
key of their hearts, when they find that 
you finccrcly wifli them well, and that it 
is a pain to you to reprove tbcm* 

There are rimny leaibns which induce 
me to advife a domcftic education, and 
there are ftill more which binder me from 
perfuading you to it. Domeftic education is 
commonly the beft calculated to fecurc their 
morals ; but it prefents fuch a famenefs, it is 
fo luke-warm and languid, that it difoou>- 
rages all emulation : befides, as they are 
watched too narrowly, they more frequently 
become hypocrites than good pupils. 

Neverthelcfs, if you can find a Precep- 
tor gentle, patient, fociable, and learned, 
who can unite condefcenfion with fteadi- 
iiefs, wifdom with gaiety, temperance with 
amiablenefs, I (hould defire you to make 
the trial, being perfuaded that you will do 
nothing but in concert with him, and that 
you will not feek to controul him. There 
are too many Fathers who look upon a 
Preceptor as a mercenary, and illiberally 
think they are his mafter, becaufe he re- 
ceives their wages. 

Trull 



CLEMENT XIV. 201 

Tnift your fons only to a man upon 
whom you can depend as upon your- 
felf J but after you have found fuch a 
man, do not hefitate to leave him entire- 
ly mafter. Nothing difgufts a Tutor fo 
much as diftruft and a difF4dence of his 
capacity. Take care what fervants you 
admit about your children ; it is generally 
through them tfiat youth are corrupted. 

Manage fo as to have an amiable ferenity 
conftantly ftiining on your face and in your 
eyes, and that every thing be done as you 
would have it, without reftraint or fear. 
Nobody loves a ftorm, but all the world 
rejoices in fine weather. 

Attach pleafures to every kind of ftudy 
which you propofe for your fons, by ex- 
citing a keen defire of knowledge, and an 
ardent impatience of ignorance. 

Take care that they have relaxation 
from their ftudies, that their memories 
and judgments may not grow tired. 
When dilguft is joined with ftudy, they 
conceive an averfion to books, and figh af- 
ter idlenefs and fupinenefs. 

Inftrudt them by making them love 
your documents, not by the fear of pu- 
niftiments ; and foir this purpofe take 
care to enliven them by fome little hifto- 
ries or fallies, which may awaken atten- 
tion. I knew a young man at Milan wjio 
became fuch a lover of ftudy, that he 
looked upon holidays as neceffary for re- 
M 3 \a:^^\\^^ 



232 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
laxation, but confidered them as days of 
forrow : his books were his pleafure and 
his treafure. It was a good Prieft who by 
gaiety, and the rcfources of his imagi- 
nation, had infpircd him with a love for 
works of wfte and learning. He would 
have been one of the moft learned men in 
Europe, if death had not Hopped him in 
his career. 

Adapt their (Indies to their times of life, 
and do not think of making them Meta- 
phyficians at twelve years old": that is not 
educating young people, but teaching 
words to Parrots. 

Learning is like food. The ftomach 
of Q cliild requires light nourilhment 5 and 
it is only by degrees that he is ^c- 
cuftomed to more folid or fubftantial 
diet. 

Never fail to let an amufing fucceed a 
ferious book, and to intermix poetry with 
profe. Virgil is not lefs eloquent than 
Cicero ; his dcfcriptions, images, and 
expreflions, give fancy and elocution to 
thofe who poifefs it not naturally. Poetry 
is the perfedion of language ; and if peo- 
ple do not apply to it while they are young, 
they never acquire a tafte for it. It is im- 
poflible, after a certain age, to read verfe 
long, without having a real tafte for poetry. 

Neverthelefs, moderate the ftudy of the 
Poets ; for, befides they very often take 
liberties contrary to good morals, it is 



CLEMENT XIV. 20^ 

dangerous to love them too much. A 
young man who only fpeaks and raves of 
Verfe, is inftipportable in company ; he is 
both a fool and a madman. I except 
thofcwhofe genius is only proper for effays 
Or excrcifes of this kind ; and then they 
^re recompenfed for this enthufiafm, by 
t:he honour of becoming like Dantfi, Ari- 
ofto, Taflb, Metaftafio, Milton, Corneille, 
or Racine. 

Let the hiftory of the world, nations, 
^nd countries, be made familiar to your 
children, without becoming a dry ftudy ; 
'tlhouldbe accompanied with (hbrt and 
precifc refleftions, to teach them how to 
^onfider events with judgement, and toac- 
*^now ledge an Univerfal Agent, of whom all 
niankind are but the inftruments, and all 
^evolutions the combined and foreknown 
^ffefts of his eternal decrees. 

Hiftory Is only an inanimate reading, if 
^hey attend only to the dates and fadts j 
*>ut it is a book full of life, if they obferve 
^he playing of the paffions^ the fprings of 
^he foul, the movements of the heart, and 
^fpecially if they difcover a God, who, al- 
ways matter of events, produces, direfts, 
^nd determines them, according to his 
good pleafure, and for the accompliftiment 
of his fltblime purpofes. 

Our carnal eyes fee in this world only a 
^eil, which covers the aftions of our 
Creator ; but the eyes of faith Ihew us, 



204 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI, 
that whatfoever happens is from one caufe, 
and that this caufe is truly God. 

Take care that a good Rhetorician gives 
a tafte of true eloquence to your fons, 
rather by example than precept. Make 
them comprehend, that what is really beau- 
tiful does not depend upon either modes 
or times ; and that if there are different 
ways of expreifing things according to dif- 
ferent ages, there is only one of conceiv: 
ing them properly. 

Guard them againft that childifli elo- 
quence, which, playing on words, isdif- 
gufting to true tafte j and perfuade them 
that no gigantic ideas or expreflions ever 
enter into an elegant difcourfe. Altho' we 
ought never to be fated of true eloquence, 
man is fo fantaftical as to be glutted with 
it; and it is owing to this, that we fee a 
fingular and trifling didion preferred to the 
commanding language of the orators of 
the laft age. 

There are men and periods of time 
which have eftablilhed the ftandard of 
tafte in every thing ; and it is on their pro- 
ductions that the eyes of your children 
fhould be conftantly fixed, as the beft mo- 
dels ; not however, to make themfelves 
flaves, for they fhould not be fervile imi- 
tators of any perfon. 

I love that the fancy fhould take wing, 
and ad from itfelf, inftead of being a 
copy for want of invention. We have 



CLEMENT XIV. 205 

nien of fine parts ; and wc ftjould have 
nien of genius, if they did not too me- 
chanically follow the beaten road. He 
knows little, who knows only one path. 
The fpirit of invention is inexhauftible, 
when we dare make the attempt. I often 
tell young people who are-under my care, 
** Be yourfelves ; think in your own way.'* 
h is a melancholy thing to employ young 
people, for whole years, in learning no- 
thing but the art of repeating. 

When your children have acquired the 
age of maturity, then is the time to fpeak 
to them, as a friend, of the nothingnefs of 
^he pleafures in which the world places it* 
happinefs j of, the misfortunes in which 
they engage us ; the remorfe they excite ; 
the injury they dp both to body and foul ; 
the abyfs they dig under our fteps, while 
they appear only to fcatter flowers. 

It will be no difficult matter for you to 
point out to them the dangerous rocks of 
fenfuality, either by vigorous expreffions, 
or ftriking examples ; and to perfuade them 
that without idlenefs, the greater part of 
the pleafures to which people addift them- 
felves fo immoderately, would have no 
attradtions. In • idlenefs, as in fleep, they 
form to themfelves<he mod brilliant ideas, 
and reprefent a thoufand agreeable chi- 
meras which have no exiftence. 

When a fon is perfuaded that a father 
talks only reafon to him, and folcly from 

tcnderncfs, 



jo6 LETTERSOF GANGANELLI, 
tendernefs, he harkens to him, and hiss^ 
advice produces the beft efFefts. 

Laftly, after having eredted this cdi — 
fice, there ftill remains what J look up-?- 
on as the moft difficult of all. — I mean- 
the clioice of a profeffion. This is common — 
ly the touchftone of fathefs and mothers ^ 
and the moft critical point for children. 

If you will be perfuaded by me, yo^^ 
will give them a year to themfelves to re — = 
fledt upon the kind of life that fuits thenar 
before you fpeak to them of one profe^ 
fion in preference to another. 'The goo^^ 
education they will have received, tim.* 
"knowledge they will have acquired, wk J 
naturally lead them to a happy iffuej aii^<i 
there will be good reafon to hope they wi Jl 
then decide for themielves, according to 
their inclinations, and according to reafoxi. 

It will then be neceffary to fpeak fre- 
quently to them of the advantages an<J 
difadvantages of the different conditions 
of life, and to let them know how mud 
their temporal and eternal intereft is con- 
cerned in the faithful difcharge of their 
duty. The facerdotal and monkifti pro- 
feflions furnifti ample matter upon the 
ineftimable happinefs they muft tafte who 
are truly called to them •, and the terrible 
calamities which they muft experience, who 
have the rafhnefs to embrace them with- 
out any but wordly views. The rank 
of an Officer or a Magiftrate, prefents 
a multitude of duties to difcharge j and ' 

it 



CLEMENT XIV. 207 

if is fufficient to lay thefe duties before 
them, to convince them of their importance. 
After thefe precautions, and after hav- 
ing often implored the alfiftance of Heaven, 
your fons will enter refolutely upon the 
plan of Life they have chofen; and yoiJ will 
have the confoktion of being able to fay, 
before God and man, that you have re- 
garded their inclinations and their liberty. 
Nothing is fo fatal as for fathers to thwart 
the inclinations of their children ; they ex- 
pofe them to perpetual repinings, and 
tthemfelves to the moft bitter reproaches, 
and even imprecations, which they have 
Unfortunately deferved. 

Since Providence has given you wealth, 
and you were born in a diftinguifhed rank, 
you (hould fupport your fons according 
to their fortune and condition ; letting them, 
however, aUv ays feel fome wants, and keep- 
ing them always within the bounds of mo- 
deration, to teach them that this life is not 
the ftate of our happinefs, and that the 
higher they are raifed, the lefs ought they 
to become proud. Take care to give them 
money, that they may learn from your- 
felf not to become mifers, and that they 
may liave it in their power to aflift the ui • 
fortunate.' It will be proper to obferve 
with your own eyes, the ufe they make of 
it ; and if you find them addifted either to 
avarice or prodigality, you (hould leflen 
their allowance. 



ao8 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI. 

Laftly, my dear and refpeftable friend, 
attend more to the hearts than the under- 
ftandings of your fons : if the heart is 
good, all will go well. 

Circumftances muft teach you how to 
govern them ; you (hould appear fometimcs 
indulgent, at other times fevere, but al" 
ways juft and candid. Thofe young peo* 
pie who will not be* wife arc dtftreffedbya 
fpirit of equity, becaufe they find, a^nft 
their inclinaiion, that they cannot reply. 

Leave them a liberal freedom, fo that 

their father's houfe may not be their laft 

choice ; it is neceflary that they ihould be 

happier there than elfewhcre, and find 

thofe pleafures which may rcaibnably be 

expefted from, a parent who, though a 

friend to order, is indulgent from aflfedtion. 

My pen hurries me on ih fpite of me r^ 

as if it had fentiment, and ireliftied the 

pleafure which I tafte in fpeaking to 

you of your dear children, whom I love 

better than myfelf, and a little lefs than 

you. May God heap his bleflings upon 

them, and they will be what they oughtto 

be ! — The education which you will give 

them, muft bloflbm to eternity. There 

it is that parents reap the fruit of the good 

advice they have given to their children, 

and that worthy fathers find themfelvesr, 

with their worthy fons, to be forever happy. 

Rome, i6ih Aug. 1753. 

End of thi. ¥\^?»t Vo\.\3\a^. 



-2./. CA^«M^^-/ -r^/ ^"^l^^A^r^ 



'c<.itA'f-.<>"»» - 



^l. 4S, L»'^lC<n ^ 



Ot^ O^^cr-l^ 



=-</.v \/:iL 



■^, 4. 






^Ct^ 



' ^ y^"^^* ^f^Jy/ JCI^ J 






\4 






>5i 
5 



r..- - - 



^i 






^ 
s. 

c 



r- 



16 15137