Chapter XVII

1774.

DEATH OF CLEMENT XIV.

After the Issuing of the Bull, Clement re-assumes his gay
humour—His Health is perfect—Unanimity of the Authors on this
point—The Jesuits have his Death Predicted—The Pythoness
of Valentano—Sudden Illness of the Pope—Symptoms—His
Delirium—_Compulsus feci_—He resumes some Composure—His Death,
1774—The Romans had expected his Death—Indecent Joy of the
Jesuits—What was the Nature of Clement’s Illness—The Jesuits
assert that he died of Remorse—Untruth of the Assertion—Reason
for it—Decomposition of Ganganelli’s Body after his
Death—Salicetti, the Apostolic Physician, declares the Rumour
False that the Pope Died by Poison—The Romans had no doubt
that he perished by the _Acqua Tofana_—Gioberti’s Authorities
for believing the Pope Poisoned—Irrefragable Testimony of
De Bernis—His Letter to the Court of France—Character of
Ganganelli, 412