Here give me Leave to make a Remark upon an Author, in whose Favour I have seen you prepossessed, namely, Mr. _Misson_, who, in his Account of the Pope’s Coronation, the Ceremony of which, he says, he copied out of the Ceremonial of ROME, describes this Act as the most magnificent and superb that can possibly be seen; for, according to him, the Pope’s Throne is covered with precious Stones, tho’ I assure you, that there cannot be a greater Mistake; for if, as I said once before, we except the many Cardinals, Bishops, and Prelates, whose Presence renders the Ceremony august, nothing is more plain and simple. St. _Peter_’s Church, indeed, is hung upon that Day with red Damask, laced with gold Tinsel, but ’tis the very same upon every grand Festival; nor is St. _Peter_’s Throne, upon this Occasion, richer than ordinary; and I can’t imagine where _Misson_ could see those Canopies covered with precious Stones. That Author really affected to impose on his Readers, and this is not the only Place where he has deviated from the Truth. The first Pope, who caused himself to be crown’d, was _Damasus_ II. in the Year 1048. And _Urban_ V. was the first that used the triple Crown, commonly called the _Tiara_; and this he did, to shew that the Vicar of _Jesus Christ_ has Pontifical, Imperial, and Regal Power; and for the same Reason, St. _Peter_ was anciently described (as is still to be seen in the Palace of the _Vatican_) holding three Keys in his Right-hand. Not many Days after the Coronation, the Pope quitted the _Vatican_, and took up his Residence in the Palace of _Monte Cavallo_. The Holy Father marched out with a Pomp which pleased the _Romans_, who are naturally fond of Pageantry; and they were the more delighted with this, because they had seen nothing like it during the Pontificate of the deceased Pope. He rode in a very splendid Coach, preceded by the _Roman_ Nobility on Horseback, his Guards, and all his Houshold, which formed a numerous Train. The Streets were full of People, who nevertheless discovered no Signs of Joy, as is usual when the Popes go abroad; for the _Romans_, when they saw _Clement_ XII. remember’d that he was a _Florentine_; and there needed nothing more to put them out of Conceit with him. I am, _&c._ [Illustration] [Illustration] LETTER XXIX. _SIR_, _Rome, Sept. 10, 1730._ In this Letter I shall run through the Palaces of ROME, as briefly as I traversed the Churches in my former. I shall take Care to mention no Houses to you, but such as deserve the Name of Palaces; for you must know, that the Buildings which we _Ultramontains_ think much to call Hotels, are here styled Palaces.