There is a miniature copy in bronze of the statue of the chief Apostle in St.Peter's at Rome, and beneath it an inscription making known to the faithful that, by order of Leo XIII.

in 1896, an Indulgence of three hundred days is granted to whosoever kisses the bronze toe and says a prayer.

Familiar enough this unpretentious announcement, yet it never fails of its little shock to the heretic mind.

Whilst I was standing near, a peasant went through the mystic rite; to judge from his poor malaria-stricken countenance, he prayed very earnestly, and I hope his Indulgence benefited him.

Probably he repeated a mere formula learnt by heart.