Pagina 853 di 1118

He had made choice of six priests of ardent charity and robust

constitution; and, dividing them into three companies, assigned

to each the third of the city as their charge; they were

accompanied by porters, laden with food, cordials, and clothing.

Each morning these worthy messengers of benevolence passed

through the streets, approached those whom they beheld stretched

on the pavement, and gave to each their kindly assistance. Those

who were too ill to be benefited by temporal succour received

from them the last offices of religion.