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