पृष्ठ 937 / 1118

The other event occurred the next day; it was as remarkable, but

not as fatal. Three young Frenchmen having come to visit Italy,

and study its antiquities, had approached the cathedral, and were

contemplating it very attentively. Some persons, who were passing

by, stopped; a circle was formed around them; they were not lost

sight of for a moment, having been recognised as strangers, and

especially Frenchmen. As if to assure themselves that the wall

was marble, the young artists extended their hands to touch it.

This was enough. In a moment they were surrounded, and, with

imprecations and blows, dragged to prison. Happily, however, they

were proved to be innocent, and released.