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. IX. Of the plentiful provision of Dowries for poor Maids.

IN this charitable work, as in all other, it will be evident, that the common-Parent, Rome, excells all other Cities of the world, by that very great number of Dowries which are there yearly bestowed. Nor is it easy to set down the certain number of them: For altho the Dowries, arising out of certain pious Legacies, be constant and uniform, and the account of them easily cast up; yet besides these there are innumerable other Dowries given by certain Sodalities. Who, because they intend not this kind of charity only, but other sorts also, do therefore set aside for Dowries proportionably to the stock of their yearly Revenues. So that if they have laid out more in other good works, the less remains to be given in Dowries, and if but little in others, almost all is distributed in these. And again, because those particular Dowries, espe∣cially which arise out of legacies, come not always to publick notice: I must content my self to speak of those onely, which I my self have come to know.

Upon New-years day, then, that Society of the Holy Name of God, founded in the Church

of St. Mary's Supra Minervam distributes cer∣tain Dowries to young Maidens.

On the seventh of January, the Sodality of Inholders give more Dowries.

On the fourteenth of January, there is a Legacy to that purpose of St. Hillary's Chappel in the Lateran Church.

And on the same day, the Sodality of St. Julian of the Flemmings, give Dowries to the Maids of their Country.

On the second of February, the Sodality of the most Holy Sacrament, in the Church of St. Mary's, in Via lata give their Dowries.

On the ninth, the Sodality of St. Apol∣lonia give theirs in the Church of the Augu∣stines.

On the twenty fifth of March, the Sodality of the Annunciation Supra Minervam exceed herein all the rest, giving Dowries every year that day to above two hundred young Maids. And I suppose this Sodality gave the first be∣ginning to this good work: Wherein they were much helped by Pope Leo the tenth; and likewise Pope Ʋrban the seventh left them his sole heirs.

The Dowries, that this Sodality furnisheth, are distributed to these young Maids (every one led up between two noble Matrons cloathed in white, and with their heads veiled) by the Pope himself; who with his own hands de∣livers to each one a Purse, with a Bill in it for the receiving of so much money; and this he doth publickly at the time of high Mass.

Upon the twenty fifth of March, other Dow∣ries are given by the Sodality of Cooks, Panter∣ers and Pasterers, in the Church of St. Vincent and Anastasius.

On the first of May, Dowries are bestowed by the Sodality of the Muletiers, in the Church of St. Anthony.

On the twelfth day, the foresaid Sodality of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin, by a particular largess, give Dowries to Maids of Siena only.

On the nineteenth day, the same Maids of Siena receive their Dowries from the Sodality of St. Katherine of Siena.

On the twenty sixth day, the Sodality of Neapolitanes give their Dowries, in the Church of the Holy Ghost, which belongs to that Nation.

On the ninth of June, the Sodality of St. James, vulgarly termed Scossacavallo.

On the eleventh day, the Sodality of Naza∣rius and Celsus, in a Church of that title.

On the ninteenth day, the Sodality of all the Officers, belonging to the Capitol in St. Maries of Ara-caeli.

And on the same day, the Sodality of St. Francis de Paula in his Church.

On the twenty fourth day, the Sodality of Piety of the Florentines, which differs from that other Sodality of Mercy, of which we shall speak anon.

On the same day, the Ligurians or Genouesi give Dowries to the Maids of their Nation,

in the Church of St. John Baptist belonging to them.

On the sixth of August, the Sodality of our Saviour in St. Maries Supra Minervam.

On the tenth day, the Sodality of St. Bernard in the Church of St. Susanna.

On the fifteenth day, which is dedicated to the Assumption of our Blessed Lady, the Soda∣lity of the Confalonery.

On the same day, the Sodality of St. Roche, in the Church dedicated to him.

On the two and twentieth day, the Sodality of the Holy Rosary, in St. Maries supra Mi∣nervam.

On the eighth of September, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the Society of the Annunciation of the Confalonery, and of Lo∣retto.

On the fifteenth day, the Sodality of St. Marcellus, in his Church.

On the same, the Sodality of the Butchers, in St. Maries de Quercu.

On the twenty ninth day, the Sodality of St. Michael the Arch-angel, in his Church.

On the thirtieth day the Sodality of Charity of the Courtiers, in St. Hierome's Church.

On the fourth of October, the Sodality of our Saviour, in St. John Lateran.

On the same day, the Sodality of the Con∣falonery, and also the Sodality of those of Bo∣nonia, in the Oratory of St. Petronius, be∣longing to them.

Likewise the Sodality of the most Holy

Trinity, of the Pilgrims and Convalescents.

On the sixth day, the Sodality of the Ro∣sary, in St. Maries supra Minervam.

On the fourth of November, the pious Lega∣cies of St. Maries of Ara caeli.

On the twelfth day, the Sodality of Taylors, in the Church of St. Homobono.

On the sixth of December, the Sodality of St. Nicholas, of the Lorainers, in the Church of St. Lewis.

On the eighth day, the Sodality of the Con∣ception of the blessed Virgin, in St. Maries su∣pra Minervam.

And on the twenty sixth day, the Sodality of St. Saviour's, in St. John Laterans.

To all these may be added, such Dowries as accrue upon particular legacies, whereof the number is very great; and also which are given by other Sodalities, and especially Na∣tional ones, not upon set days Anniversarily, but as the necessity of times and persons may require; All which, if they should be cast up, would amount to a yearly summe of monies, almost incredibly great.

This is to be noted, that all the Dowries given at several times are not equal, but some more, some less; for one Sodality gives thirty Crowns, another forty, another fifty, to be distributed to that end. That of the Annun∣ciation of the Blessed Virgin gives eight hun∣dred Crowns, and besides to every one a Robe, and a pair of Chopines.

For bestowing these Dowries, this is the

order. A Petition is put up to the Sodality, in the name of the Virgin that is marriage∣able, expressing her condition, age, and habi∣tation. Then there are deputed out of the Seniors of the Sodality certain Visitors; who go all together to see the several petitioners and their lodgings: and if they find them of ho∣nest report among their neighbours, and have a good testimony from their parish Priest; they make relation thereof to the Sodality: And ac∣cordingly are they written down among those that are to receive Dowries. If they find it otherwise, they make no relation at all. Those that are writ down are certified of it; that if they happen to contract themselves in the mean time, they may ingage for so much more to be added to what was promised in Dowry. But if any one of those that are written down, and so appointed to receive a Dowry, behave herself less decently than becomes a Virgin, they presently send her word that she hath for∣feited that favour; and herein are the consti∣tutions very rigorously observed.

Now because one of the forementioned Dowries is too little to put off the Maid with; therefore one and the same person may be ad∣mitted at several times to receive many Dow∣ries given by divers Sodalities. So that some come to receive at last no less than four hun∣dred or five hundred Crowns before ever she be given in marriage.

Just now while I write this I am told, that a certain pious and rich man is lately dead,

who hath left by Will a certain in some of money, yearly payable, to make up a handsome Dowry for such women of the common Stews that shall be willing to be married. A work well thought upon, and which will not want cer∣tainly a reward sutable to its Charity, from him who leaves nothing unrecompensed.