DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6095#0205
SICILY AND MALTA. 187
But although the people of education
here despise the wild superstition of the
vulgar, yet they go regularly to mass, and
attend the ordinances with great respecT: and
decency; and they are much pleased with
us for our conformity to their customs, and
for not appearing openly to despise their
rites and ceremonies. I own, this atten-
tion of theirs, not to offend weak minds,
tends much to give us a favourable opinion
both of their hearts and understandings.
They don't make any boast of their infi-
delity ; neither do they pester you with it
as in France, where it is perpetually buzz'd
in your, ears; and where, although they
pretend to believe less, they do in fact be-
lieve more than any nation on the conti-
nent.
I know of nothing that gives one a worse
opinion of a man, than to see him make a
show and parade of his contempt for things
held sacred : it is an open insult to the
judgment
But although the people of education
here despise the wild superstition of the
vulgar, yet they go regularly to mass, and
attend the ordinances with great respecT: and
decency; and they are much pleased with
us for our conformity to their customs, and
for not appearing openly to despise their
rites and ceremonies. I own, this atten-
tion of theirs, not to offend weak minds,
tends much to give us a favourable opinion
both of their hearts and understandings.
They don't make any boast of their infi-
delity ; neither do they pester you with it
as in France, where it is perpetually buzz'd
in your, ears; and where, although they
pretend to believe less, they do in fact be-
lieve more than any nation on the conti-
nent.
I know of nothing that gives one a worse
opinion of a man, than to see him make a
show and parade of his contempt for things
held sacred : it is an open insult to the
judgment