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152 Rome. At three o’clock a second pint of strong ale had to be faced, and at seven a third; when wine reappeared after that I violently protested — and never recovered their good opinion. Thirst seems to be a national affliction, for even the peasant women sometimes have drinking matches (of coffee) at their village fairs, and the first or second prize has more than once fallen a victim to her cafeine intemperance. It is interesting to note that few of the friars preserve any mental vigour up to their sixtieth year, and that great numbers fall victims to apoplexy.

There are no congregations attached to the friaries, so that their work differs materially from that of English priests. In fact, their life is the typical monastic life, for, as has been explained, canon law prescribes that monastic houses should only be considered as auxiliaries of the regular clergy. The first result, however, is usually a conflict with the priest in whose parish the monks establish themselves, for they attract his parishioners to their services; and they rarely find much favour with the bishop of the diocese. They hear great numbers of confessions, principally of the surrounding peasantry, and have frequent ceremonies in their churches, but, as there are usually many of them, the work occupies little time. The only work of importance which they do is to preach special sermons and give missions in distant parishes, but even that is little in proportion to their vast numbers. One meets amongst them