"Discovered! and suppose we were? How many times have we not been driven out of France, and have we not always re-entered it? In England, indeed, we have never been proscribed, in consequence of the principle which we ourselves preach there,--political and religious toleration. For my own part, I only fear for our situation in Italy, for we, being on the side of the sovereigns, if anything should ever endanger their stability, should be the first to fall; and our ruin would precede that of the sovereigns. Should it occur in our time that the Jesuits are banished from Rome, bear in mind, that whoever the pope may be, he too will find it necessary before long to fly.[34] But in England we shall never incur the risk of being banished, therefore it is that we increase and multiply there so abundantly. We have establishments, schools, and all that we desire to have; and these good Protestants themselves furnish us the means. If it should please Providence that we should live long enough to meet again at some future period, you will recollect what I have foretold; at any rate, let it be according to the will of God. Adieu, my good friend. I must return to our convent, where Father Sineo is expecting me." FOOTNOTES: [28] A common expression in Italy to denote that a person has become Protestant. [29] An expression among the Jesuits to denote that the party is admitted to the last profession; that is, that he has taken the solemn vow, in virtue of which he can never in future be expelled from the Society. [30] To eat with the cats, _mangiare co' gatti_. This curious punishment is literally put into practice in the Capuchin monasteries. The culprit sits on the ground in common with the cats, of which there are always plenty in these houses, and is not even allowed to defend his plate against any attacks his feline companions may venture to make upon it. [31] This prophecy has come to pass. [32] Here likewise the Jesuit has proved himself a true prophet. [33] The good Jesuit probably meant the Bishop of Chester, in whose diocese Manchester is situated. [34] The Jesuit was again correct in his prediction. CHAPTER VIII. THE DOMINICANS, AND MY LIFE AMONG THEM. WHOEVER speaks of the Inquisition, immediately recalls to mind the race of monks who appear to be, even from their origin, the primary agents of this terrible institution. These monks are called Dominicans, from the name of their founder; and it was by the advice of Pope Innocent III. that their Order was instituted. They called themselves Preachers, because they went to different cities preaching; not, however, the Gospel of Christ, but the rosary of the Virgin Mary; the most absurd system of prayer that the Christian world has ever yet had: a system, indeed, diametrically opposed to the doctrine of Christ, who says: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions ... after this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father, &c."