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. I. Of initiating of Children in the first Rudi∣ments of Learning, and Holy Myste∣ries of Christian Religion.

OF all the Spiritual works of Charity, that may be reduced to a certain Rule, this is the very first: To teach the ignorant found Doctrine, the neglect whereof how much pre∣judicial it is for the Common-wealth, we need no other demonstration than the unhappy ex∣amples of our times.

Children are here taught, almost from their very Infancy, the misteries of the Christian and Catholick Faith, in every Parish upon Holy days, with very great care. For it is of much concernment with what liquor you season a new made Vessel, for the scent thereof it re∣tains a long while, if I may not say for ever.

Now this work is performed, not so much

by the Rectors themselves of every Church, as by the Colledge of Priests, erected particu∣larly for that purose; to whom is adjoined a Sodality of Lay persons, who being distri∣buted according to parishes contribute their help to assist the Priests. And tho Children may be initiated in the misteries of faith with∣out being taught to read, if they have good memories, and retain what they learn; yet we find it easier to deal with those who can read. Wherefore throughout all the regions of the City there are publick Schools erected, whose masters have their Salaries allowed out of the publick. And not many years since, certain men out of great charity towards poor Boys took this burthen upon themselves, to whom afterwards Clicerius Landrianus, a Gentleman of Lombardy, and Commendator of the Mona∣stery of St. Anthony in Placentia, made no small addition: and at length by the Popes appro∣bation, the Church of St. Pantaleon, near to the Street of the place Navona, in the middle of the City, was assigned to that charitable Colledge of those men forespoken of; and houses thereabouts provided, sufficient to receive above twelve hundred poor Boys.

Hither then, from all parts, come every day forenoon, and afternoon, tle Boys of the town of what condtion soever they be, to be taught: And being distributed to several Classes, par∣ticular care is had of them. Here they are taught the first Rudiments both of Learning and Christian Religion, and least when they

are dismissed from School, they should run playing about the town, the same men that have care of them, conduct them all along in troops by two and two to their houses until they see every one at home.

This work seems very pious, were it but for this, That those men that undertake it are very far from all ambition, or pride of Spirit, for they deal not but with Children, and these of the meaner sort too: and this also not to teach them the Sciences, but with a great hu∣miliation of themselves, and shunning often∣tation, to know their letters and to read, and such inferiour Documents.

This Institute, from the great good that ac∣crues from hence to the Republick, is spread over all Italy: and might very easily be propo∣gated throughout Europe.