Yet they were not so miserably poor but that the grown people kept

houses over their heads.

In the way of food, they had, at least, vegetables in their little

gardens, pigs and chickens to kill, eggs to fry into omelets with oil,

wine to drink, and many other things to make life comfortable. As for

the children, when no more small coin appeared to be forthcoming, they

began to laugh and play, and turn heels over head, showing themselves

jolly and vivacious brats, and evidently as well fed as needs be. The

truth is, the Italian peasantry look upon strangers as the almoners of

Providence, and therefore feel no more shame in asking and receiving

alms, than in availing themselves of providential bounties in whatever

other form.

In accordance with his nature, Donatello was always exceedingly

charitable to these ragged battalions, and appeared to derive a certain

consolation from the prayers which many of them put up in his behalf. In

Italy a copper coin of minute value will often make all the difference

between a vindictive curse--death by apoplexy being the favorite

one-mumbled in an old witch's toothless jaws, and a prayer from the same

lips, so earnest that it would seem to reward the charitable soul with

at least a puff of grateful breath to help him heavenward. Good wishes

being so cheap, though possibly not very efficacious, and anathemas so

exceedingly bitter,--even if the greater portion of their poison remain

in the mouth that utters them,--it may be wise to expend some reasonable

amount in the purchase of the former. Donatello invariably did so; and

as he distributed his alms under the pictured window, of which we have

been speaking, no less than seven ancient women lifted their hands and

besought blessings on his head.

"Come," said the sculptor, rejoicing at the happier expression which he

saw in his friend's face. "I think your steed will not stumble with you

to-day. Each of these old dames looks as much like Horace's Atra Cura

as can well be conceived; but, though there are seven of them, they will

make your burden on horseback lighter instead of heavier."

"Are we to ride far?" asked the Count.

"A tolerable journey betwixt now and to-morrow noon," Kenyon replied;

"for, at that hour, I purpose to be standing by the Pope's statue in the

great square of Perugia."




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