It seemed to me that the activity and prosperity of the subjects of the Pope were in exact proportion to the square of the distance which separated them from Rome: in other words, that the shade of the monuments of the eternal city was noxious to the cultivation of the country.

Rabelais says the shade of monasteries is fruitful; but he speaks in another sense.
I submitted my doubts to a venerable ecclesiastic, who hastened to undeceive me.

"The country is not uncultivated," he said; "or if it be so, the fault is with the subjects of the Pope.

This people is indolent by nature, although 21,415 monks are always preaching activity and industry to them!".