mply seized (usually in the dead of the night, to
avoid scandal), and hurried off to durance vile, to undergo, as it
was phrased _prigione ed altre pene a nostro arbitrio_. One day
C---- brought the Pope particulars of what was at once pronounced
by his Holiness a most flagrant case. The wife of the highly
respected and able _Avocato_ B---- (a stout lady of fifty), who
was at the same time legal adviser to the French Embassy, was in
the habit of driving out daily in the carriage, and by the side of
the old bachelor Duke C----, Exempt of the Noble Guard. The Papal
decision on the case was instant. The act was of such frequent
occurrence, so audaciously, so unblushingly public, that public
morality demanded the strongest measures. That very night a
descent was made upon the dwelling of the unconscious _Avocato_.
The sanctity of the connubial chamber was invaded. The sleeping
beauty of fifty was ordered to rise, and was dragged off to--the
Convent of Repentant Females! B---- knew, and none better, what
manner of thing law was in Rome, so instead of wasting time in
reasoning with the Pope as to the legality of the case--urging the
argument that, even supposing his wife to have been of a
susceptible age and an attractive exterior, so long as he himself
made no objection to her driving out with the old Duke, nobody
else had any right to interfere--and other similar appeals to
common sense, he at once requested the interference of the French
Ambassador. This was promptly and effectively given. The
incarceration of the peccant dame was brief; and a shower of
ridicule fell upon the Pontifical head. But the Sovereigns of Rome
are accustomed to, and regardless of, such irreverent
demonstrations.--_TRANSL._

13: Louis Veuillot, article of the 10th of September, 1849.

14: The principal market in Rome is held in this Piazza.

15: The Basilica of St. Paul without the walls.

16: The rubbio is a measure both of land and of quantity.

17: Monsignore Nicolai was a good practical agriculturist. He had a
sort of model farm, known as the _Albereto Nicolai_, near the
Basilica of St. Paul Without the Walls. He was an able
administrator, and a man of superior attainments; and had he only
possessed common honesty, he would have been in time a great
man--as greatness is understood in Rome. He was a _Prelato di