, whence their name),
and preach the gospel in all lands. At first they were subject to
the general of the conventual Franciscans, not obtaining exemption
from this obedience until 1617. Early in the eighteenth century
the Capuchins numbered 25,000 friars, with 1,600 convents, besides
their missions in Brazil and Africa; but the French Revolution and
other political disturbances caused the suppression of many of their
houses. At present, they are most numerous in Austria and Switzerland.

[87] _i.e._, "the disease of Lazarus," referring to the beggar at
the rich man's gate, in the parable (Luke xvi, v. 20), evidently
a leper. This disease was regarded, in the absence of scientific
knowledge of its nature, as a direct visitation or punishment from
the deity. It will be remembered that many lepers who were Christians
had been sent from Japan to Manila.

[88] The following law is taken from _Recopilacion leyes de Indias_
(lib. 1, tit. vii, ley vii): "We charge the archbishops and bishops of
our Indias that they ordain mestizos as priests in their districts, if
in such persons are united the competency and necessary qualifications
for the priestly order; but such ordination must be preceded by
careful investigation, and information from the prelates as to
the candidate's life and habits, and after finding that he is well
instructed, intelligent, capable, and born from a lawful marriage. And
if any mestizo women choose to become religious, and take the habit
and veil in the monasteries of nuns, they [_i.e._, the archbishops and
bishops] shall ordain that such women be admitted to the monasteries
and to religious profession, after obtaining the same information
[as above] regarding their lives and habits." [Felipe II--San Lorenzo,
August 31 and September 28, 1588.]

[89] Referring to the noted prelate Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa y
Rufina. He died in December 1787.

[90] This was Jose Raon (see VOL. XVII, p. 298).

[91] "Pasquin (at Rome) is a statue at the foot of which are fastened
placards--sometimes defamatory, sometimes ironical, relative to
affairs of the time."--Le Gentil.

The word "pasquin" (pasquino) is derived from the name of a tailor, who
was famous at the end of the fifteenth century for his lampoons. The
group of statuary called Pasquino (now badly mutilated) represents
Menelaus with the body of Patroclus, looking round for succor in the
tumult of battle. The square in which this group stands is also ca