Addison, Joseph: Remarks on several parts of Italy: &c. in the years 1701, 1702, 1703 (London: Tonson, 1718)

Religion, which here shews it self in
its Perfe&ion. It is not strange to find
a Country half unpeopled, where so
great a proportion of the Inhabitants of
both Sexes is ty’d under such Vows of
Chastity, and where at the same time an
Inquisition forbids all Recruits out
of any other Religion. Nor is it less
easy to account, for the great Poverty
and Want that are to be met with in a
Country which invites into it such
Swarms of Vagabonds, under the Title
of Pilgrims, and (huts up in Cloisters such
an incredible Multitude of young and
lusty Beggars, who, instead of encrea-
sing the Common Stock by their La-
bour and Industry, lye as a deadweight
on their Fellow Subjects, and consume
the Charity that ought to support the
Sickly, Old and Decrepid. The many
Hospitals, that are every where erected,
serve rather to encourage Idleness in the
People, than to set ’em at Work 5 not
to mention the great Riches which lye
useless in Churches and Religious Hou-
ses, with the Multitude of Festivalsthat
must never be violated by Trade or Bu-
siness. To speak truly, they are here
so wholly taken up with Mens Souls,
that they neglect the good of their Bo-
dies j and when, to these natural Evils
in