DOI chapter:
Chap. VI: Observations on Ancient Names - On Roman Architecture - Defects of the Modern Style - Progress of the Art - Papal Government - Its Character - Consequences of the French Invasion and Preponderance of the present and future State of Rome
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62268#0244
234 CLASSICAL TOUR Ch. VI.
streets and forum, surrounded by their friends and
clients.
From this epoch the character of the Pontiffs
became more episcopal and pacific; occupied
with the government of the Catholic church over
which they preside, and with the civil adminis-
tration of their own territories sufficiently exten-
sive to engross their utmost attention, they seem
to have lost sight of foreign or at least, of ultra-
montane politics, and have only interfered, as far
as decency permitted or necessity required, their
interposition. Their fondness for their families,
a defect pardonable in an old man, has, where
it may have existed, betrayed them perhaps into
hasty promotions, but has seldom engaged them
as formerly, in mischievous projects of aggran-
dizement. The arts and sciences have at all times,
but particularly during the latter centuries, met
with their special encouragement; and Rome,
enlivened by their constant presence, embellished
by their munificence, and fed by the produce of
several extensive, populous, and well cultivated
provinces, had gradually resumed her robes of
glory, and began to promise herself once more
the return of ease, dignity, and permanent pros-
perity. She had been great even in her fall, and
venerable in her disasters. She had ceased to
be the mistress of the world in arms, but she still
streets and forum, surrounded by their friends and
clients.
From this epoch the character of the Pontiffs
became more episcopal and pacific; occupied
with the government of the Catholic church over
which they preside, and with the civil adminis-
tration of their own territories sufficiently exten-
sive to engross their utmost attention, they seem
to have lost sight of foreign or at least, of ultra-
montane politics, and have only interfered, as far
as decency permitted or necessity required, their
interposition. Their fondness for their families,
a defect pardonable in an old man, has, where
it may have existed, betrayed them perhaps into
hasty promotions, but has seldom engaged them
as formerly, in mischievous projects of aggran-
dizement. The arts and sciences have at all times,
but particularly during the latter centuries, met
with their special encouragement; and Rome,
enlivened by their constant presence, embellished
by their munificence, and fed by the produce of
several extensive, populous, and well cultivated
provinces, had gradually resumed her robes of
glory, and began to promise herself once more
the return of ease, dignity, and permanent pros-
perity. She had been great even in her fall, and
venerable in her disasters. She had ceased to
be the mistress of the world in arms, but she still