Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/180

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164
LIFE OF ROBERT CARTER.

of the Papal government. When we reached the brow of the hill, we saw seats along the side of the walk. On one of these there were three gentlemen dressed as priests of high rank, and as we approached one of them rose up and took me by the hand, addressing me pleasantly. It was Archbishop Hughes, and I was glad to meet him, as it was the first year of our sad war, and I was anxious to converse with him about the state of affairs. We had a long and interesting conversation, and when I bade him good-by, I turned to descend the hill. I found my friend the physician waiting for me, apparently in some trouble. ‘What is the matter?’ I asked. ‘I made a mistake,’ said he, ‘and have been talking too freely. I heard that there was a Scotchman here who had gone to New York many years ago, and had married a Yankee wife, who had made him as much a Yankee as herself, and I thought you were the man.’ ‘What changed your opinion?" I asked. ‘He was not a Catholic, as you apparently are. Two of these gentlemen were Cardinals; the third one who talked to you I did not know, but I supposed you were a Catholic, else he would not have received you so cordially.’ I relieved his mind by assuring him that I was the man he described, and as good a Protestant as himself. Bishop Hughes did receive me kindly. He told me he could open any door to me in Rome, and would be glad to do anything to give me pleasure. One day, after a long discussion of various difficult questions, I quoted two lines,

Not greatly to discern, not much to know,
Mankind was made to wonder and adore.’

‘You are acquainted with my old friend, Young,’ said he. ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘I studied Young’s Night Thoughts by the firelight till I made large portions