en young, and sought her
fortune in the same city which gave his father birth; she maintained
herself while single by acts of kindness to our sex, for she never was
known to refuse them any favour they asked, provided they did but pay
her some compliment beforehand. This lovely couple met by accident
in the street, in consequence of their being both intoxicated, for by
reeling to one centre they threw each other down; this created mutual
abuse, in which they were complete adepts; they were both carried to the
watch-house, and afterwards to the house of correction; they soon saw
the folly of quarrelling, made it up, became fond of each other, and
married; but madam returning to her old tricks, his father, who had high
notions of honour, soon separated himself from her; she then joined a
family who strolled about with a puppet-show. In time she arrived at
Rome, where she kept an oyster-stand. You have all heard, no doubt of
Pope Ganganelli, commonly called Clement XIV.: he was remarkably fond of
oysters. One Good Friday, as he was passing through this famous city in
state, to assist at high mass at St. Peter's Church, he saw this woman's
oysters (which were remarkably fine and fresh); he could not proceed
without tasting them. There were about five thousand people in his
train; he ordered them all to stop, and sent word to the church he could
not attend mass till next day; then alighting from his horse (for the
Pope always rides on horseback upon these occasions) he went into her
stall, and ate every oyster she had there, and afterwards retired into
the cellar where she had a few more. This subterraneous apartment was
her kitchen, parlour, and bed-chamber. He liked his situation so much
that he discharged all his attendants, and to make short of the story,
His Holiness passed the whole night there! Before they parted he gave
her absolution, not only for every sin she had, but all she might
hereafter commit.

_Now, gentlemen, I have his mother's word for it (and her honour cannot
be doubted), that Baron Tott is the fruit of that amour. When Tott was
born, his mother applied to His Holiness, as the father of her child; he
immediately placed him under the proper people, and as he grew up gave
him a gentleman's education, had him taught the use of arms, procured
him promotion in France, and a title, and when he died he left him a
good estate._

CHAPTER XV

_A further account of the journey from Harwich to Helvoetsluys-