97
greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
their merits the reproach of universal proiligacy;
and strangers, by being on their guard against the
moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous taint
than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many,
in consequence, who came prepared to be dis-
gusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade
them adieu with sentiments of respect, and re-
membered their urbanity and accomplishments
with delightful satisfaction.
however,
It was not,
the native inhabitants
of
the chief
Rome who constituted
attractions of
society there, but the number of accomplished
strangers of all countries and religions, who, in
constant succession,
shrine of antiquity;
came in pilgrimage to the
and who, by the contempla-
tion
of
departed Worth,
the merits and glories of
often
felt
themselves,
ZS
it
were,
miraculously
endowed
with
HEW
qualities.
The
collision
of
minds fraught with
in that high state of
learning,
Excitement which the genius of the place produced
On the coldest imaginations, together with those
innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which
were
HEVGT
elicited
in
ally
other
City:
made