Memorabilia mundi, or, Choice memoirs of the history and description of the world by G.H.

ITALY.

MEmorable, for Rhea a Virgin which was cloystered up into the Temple of Vesta, by her Uncle A∣mulius Silvius, that she might not bring forth an Heir to endanger his Title. Notwithstanding means was found, so that she conceived at once two Children by Mars, and was delivered among her Sisters Vestals. For this her self (as the censure was upon such Delinquents) was buryed alive, her Boys exposed to be destroyed.

Italy is a happy Soil, pleasant and Fer∣tile, at all times moderate Weather, and healthful Air, full of Variety; as Rice, Silks, Velvets, Sattins, Taffaties, Grograms, Rash, Fustians, Gold-wyer, Armour, Allom, Glasses, &c. The Rich are very Rich, for Wealth will come with much labour in great abundance:

but the Poor are extream poor, for they are most of them very idle.

Rome retains a 11 Miles round, and 200000 Inhabitants; a great part Fry∣ers, and such odd idle fellows, which pretend to Religion for want of other means to live, Cloyster themselves up to a single life, only to avoid the charge of Incumbrances of Marriage, not to se∣parate themselves from the World or desires of the Flesh; for among them they maintain commonly 40000 Curte∣zans in good Custom, and so Rich, that they are able to pay 30000 Duckets yearly to the Pope. The buildings in which they most glory in, are the Church of St. Peter, the Castle of St. Angelo, the Vaticane Library, and the Popes Pallace. The truth is, their Pride is enough to attire the Whore of Baby∣lon, as there can hardly be any other meant than Rome, She sits upon the Beast with seven Heads, for she was built up∣on seven Hills, was ruled first by seven Kings, and hath been since subject to

seven several forms of Government.