that a passport is needed to distinguish one man from another; and if
the traveller have no particular features, these must be found for him.
These crucifixes will save you."

"That," I said, "as a Christian, I am not allowed to deny."

"I have a round score of them left," says he. "Let us figure up the
whole. The passport I could not let go for less than two ducats; upon my
soul and honour it cost me near three. The hat, the coat, shoes and
stockings--well, can we say less than a ducat and a half? Surely not.
The workmanship alone is worth the money. For the crucifixes, which are
very fine, and in the rococo manner now so much esteemed, I cannot say a
quattrino less than four ducats, nor can a Christian, I suppose, set any
bounds to the value he places upon that symbol. My price, therefore, is
nominal--an act of charity on my part, which my sympathy with your sad
story moves me to do. I believe you had in your breeches pocket some ten
ducats and a few broad pieces. Supposing I take seven ducats and
conclude the bargain--what do you say? Will you shake hands upon it?" He
looked pleasantly at me, holding out his hand.

The crucifixes were large--the image of plaster, the cross of white
wood. The price was exorbitant; but I felt the force of his argument,
that no Christian could set bounds to the value of such a symbol.
Moreover, the trade attracted me. To walk the world as a pedlar of
crucifixes--could one conceive a nobler employment? I, at least, could
not. The merchandise so noble that it could not be degraded by the
merchant, the merchant so ignoble that he must needs be dignified by the
merchandise--the cross, emblem of sacrifice, emblem of divine
compassion, divine providence and humility! I must be excused if I saw
here something more than happy coincidence, if I fell into a mood of