25. In the beginning of the last century the papists of
England were only a thirtieth, and the protestants of
France only a fifteenth', part of the respective nations to
whom their spirit and power were a constant object of
apprehension. See the relations which Bentivoglio (who was
then nuncio at Brussels, and afterwards cardinal)
transmitted to the court of Rome (Relazione, tom. ii. p.
211, 241). Bentivoglio was curious, well-informed, but
somewhat partial.