We said we found no
great difficulty in believing the first half of the story, but
could hardly believe that any one would jump from that window
twice. {14}
CHAPTER IX - The North Italian Priesthood
There is now a school in the sanctuary; we met the boys several
times. They seemed well cared for and contented. The priests who
reside in the sanctuary were courtesy itself; they took a warm
interest in England, and were anxious for any information I could
give them about the monastery near Loughborough - a name which they
had much difficulty in pronouncing. They were perfectly tolerant,
and ready to extend to others the consideration they expected for
themselves. This should not be saying much, but as things go it is
saying a good deal. What indeed more can be wished for?
The faces of such priests as these - and I should say such priests
form a full half of the North Italian priesthood - are perfectly
free from that bad furtive expression which we associate with
priestcraft, and which, when seen, cannot be mistaken: their faces
are those of our own best English country clergy, with perhaps a
trifle less flesh about them and a trifle more of a not unkindly
asceticism.
Comparing our own clergy with the best North Italian and Ticinese
priests, I should say there was little to choose between them.
