104'
Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in the Ro-
man conversations, applied to persons who had
any inordinate conceit of their own beauty.
VI. The Cardinal, after some other short
questions, invited West to come near him, and
running his hands over his features, still more
attracted the attention of the company to the
stranger, by the admiration which he expressed
at the form of his head. "This occasioned in-
quiries respecting the youth ; and the ltalians con-Y
cluding that, as he was an American, he must, of
course, have received the education of a savage,
became curious to witness the effect which the
works
of
art
in
the Belvidere and Vatican
would
produce on him. The Whole company, which
consisted of the principal Roman nobility, and
strangers of distinction then in Rome, were inte_
rested in the event; and it was arranged in the
course of the evening that on the following morn-
ing they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his
protege? to the palaces.
VII. At the hour appointed, the company
assembled; and a procession, consisting of upwards