In many churches the sacred vessels
with the host were stolen, and this fact is characteristic of the
temper which prompted these outrages. It is impossible to say what
would happen now in any country of the world, if the government and
police ceased to act, and yet hindered by their presence the
establishment of a provisional authority; but what then occurred in
Italy wears a character of its own, through the great share which the
personal hatred and revenge had in it. The impression, indeed, which
Italy at this period makes on us is, that even in quiet times great
crimes were commoner than in other countries. We may, it is true, be
misled by the fact that we have far fuller details on such matters here
than elsewhere, and that the same force of imagination, which gives a
special character to crimes actually committed, causes much to be
invented which never really happened. The amount of violence was
perhaps as great elsewhere. It is hard to say for certain, whether in
the year 1500 men were any safer, whether human life was any better
protected, in powerful, wealthy Germany, with its robber knights,
extortionate beggars, and daring highwaymen. But one thing is certain,
that premeditated crimes, committed professionally and for hire by
third parties, occurred in Italy with great and appalling frequency.
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