He
thought it was incumbent upon him to manifest some extraordinary
inspiration, while he resided on the spot where Rubens was born;
and, therefore, his whole behaviour was an affectation of rapture,
expressed in distracted exclamations, convulsive starts, and uncouth
gesticulations. In the midst of this frantic behaviour, he saw an
old Capuchin, with a white beard, mount the pulpit, and hold forth
to the congregation with such violence of emphasis and gesture, as
captivated his fancy; and, bawling aloud, "Zounds! what an excellent
Paul preaching at Athens!" he pulled a pencil and a small memorandum
book from his pocket, and began to take a sketch of the orator,
with great eagerness and agitation, saying "Egad! friend Raphael,
we shall see whether you or I have got the best knack at trumping
up an apostle." This appearance of disrespect gave offence to the
audience, who began to murmur against this heretic libertine; when
one of the priests belonging to the choir, in order to prevent any
ill consequence from their displeasure, came and told him in the
French language, that such liberties were not permitted in their
religion, and advised him to lay aside his implements, lest the
people should take umbrage at his design, and be provoked to punish
him as a profane scoffer at their worship.
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