CHAPTER XVIII.
WHY THE POPE WILL NEVER HAVE SOLDIERS.
I paid a visit to a Roman Prelate well known for his devotion to the interests of the Church, the temporal power of the Popes, and the August person of the Holy Father.
When I was introduced to his oratory I found him reading over the proof-sheets of a thick volume, entitled _Administration of the Military Forces_.
He threw down his pen with an air of discouragement, and showed me the two following quotations which he had inscribed on the title-page of the book: "Every independent State should suffice to itself, and assure its internal security by its own forces."-- _Count de Rayneval; note of 14th May_, 1855.
"The troops of the Pope will always be the troops of the Pope.

What are warriors who have never made war ?"--_De Brosses_.
After I had reflected a little upon these not very consoling passages, the Prelate said, "You have not been very long at Rome, and your impressions ought to be just, because they are fresh.

What do you think of our Romans?
Do the descendants of Marius appear to you a race without courage, incapable of confronting danger?
If it be indeed true that the nation has retained nothing of its patrimony, not even its physical courage, all our efforts to create a national force in Rome are foredoomed to failure.
The Popes must for ever remain disarmed in the presence of their enemies.

Nothing is left for them but to entrench themselves behind the mercenary courage of a Swiss garrison or the respectful protection of a great Catholic power.

What becomes of independence?
What becomes of sovereignty ?" "Monsignore," I replied, "I already know the Romans too well to judge them by the calumnies of their enemies.