Pietas Romana et Parisiensis, or, A faithful relation of the several sorts of charitable and pious works eminent in the cities of Rome and Paris the one taken out of the book written by Theodorus Amydenus ; the other out of that by Mr. Carr.

CHAP. II. Of National Hospitals for the Sick of their own Country.

ALthough these common Hospitals for all sick, which we have spoken of, may suffice, even for the sick of the greatest City: For if we cast up the accounts exactly, we shall find ready in them no less then fifteen hundred beds dayly made, besides what are supplyed in a much greater number in sickly times. Yet se∣veral Nations have been willing to shew their particular care and provision of this nature for their poor Country men.

As the Castilians do receive the Poor of their Nation, that are sick, in an apartment of that house of Reception dedicated to St. James, se∣parate from those that are in health; and with very great diligence provide all necessaries for them.

The like do those of Flanders in St. Julians house of reception to their Countrymen.

The Portugueses do the same in St. Anthony's house.

The Lombards make use of, to that purpose, the house dedicated to St. Ambrose and St. Charles.

Those of Genoa the house of St. John Baptist.

The Armenians that of St. Maria Egyptiaca.

Those of Arragon that of the Blessed Virgin of Monserrat.

The Britons that of St. Ivo.

The French that of St. Lewis.

The Illyrians and Dalmatians that of St. Hierome.

Who over and above furnish their sick, who desire rather to continue in their own proper houses, with money to buy physick and pay the Physitian.

To these we may add those of Bergamo, of whom we have hitherto said nothing. These have founded a Church and built a house of entertainment near to the forum of Antoninus devoting both to the two Saints Bartholemew, and Alexander. The Church hath a conveni∣ent company of Priests maintained for it.

In the house are entertained all the sick of their nation, if they be poor and desire to lye there; if they be rich, there be fair houses adjoyning for them with an Apothecary's shop of their own.

The Florentines have built an Hospital for their sick, not far from that their stately Church of St. John Baptist upon the banks of Tyber.

Those of Siena have theirs near the Church of St. Katherine of Siena in via Julia. In both these places is very great charity shewn to the sick of either Nation.