wall, as the proverb has it. While he thus stood uncertain, looking everywhere for some divinity to appear and point out a way of safety, he happened to visit a certain community near the town where he lived, and found there one Cantelius with whom he had been brought up from infancy. This man was older by some years, having a cunning mind, ever bent on self, yet of high spirit. It was not so much piety as good eating and a love of ease that had allured him to a monastic life. He was a glib fellow and exceedingly lazy, had made but little progress in learning, but was somewhat skilled in singing, for which he had been trained in his early years. Having sought in vain to make his fortune in Italy, and his parents continually complaining of their poverty and their large family, he sought the protection of the cowl, which has this to be said in its favor, that it very conveniently lends itself to the sustaining of many children who would otherwise perish. When Cantelius perceived from his conversation what remarkable progress in learning Florentius had made, thinking at once of his own interests, he began with incredible affection (for his nature was mercurial) to exhort him to follow the same kind of life that he himself did, sketching in words a beautiful picture of his own Order, emphasizing its blessed tranquillity, liberty, and concord. But why should I go on? It was a brotherhood of angels. He repeatedly dwelt on the abundance of books that were to be had there, and what opportunity for study; for he well knew the bait by which the mind of the boy might be caught. In short, if you had heard this man, you would have said that the place was not a monastery, but the mead of the Muses. Florentius loved this Cantelius with intense boyish ardor, due to the candor of his nature (especially since he had found him again beyond his expectation after so long a time), as is customary with those of his years, who are likely to conceive violent affections for certain acquaintances. For he had not yet learned to judge men's minds, but from his own feelings estimated others. Cantelius left no stone unturned, trying in every way to subject the boy's mind to his own purposes by his enchanting words; but the boy remained firm. After that conversation Florentius was exposed to a still greater attack from the others; for they had rigged up more powerful battering-rams. They urged to him the desperate condition of his finances, the enmity of all his friends, and finally starvation (than which no kind of death is more cruel) if he did not renounce the world. For such is the term they use, calling by a term of reproach the world-those whom Christ with His own blood has redeemed from the world; and claiming as peculiar to monks that which is common to all Christians. After being for a long time rather annoyed than shaken by them, he returned to Cantelius, merely for another pleasant chat. The latter now used the greatest efforts, in order that he might have Florentius as a private and gratuitous teacher. Florentius on his side was inclined to friendships, and glad to oblige his close friends.

At last, when there was no cessation of these importunities, and

no ray of hope left him, he betook himself to the monastery, which was not the one intended for him by his guardian, but the one where he had accidentally found his old associate. Now this place was so unsanitary and unhealthy that it was scarcely fit for raising cattle, much less for his delicate little body; but such tender years as his had not yet learned to discriminate in matters of food, climate, or locality. Besides, he had not betaken himself thither with the intention of joining the Order, but only that he might for a little while escape the clacking tongues, until time itself might bring forth something better. Meanwhile Cantelius eagerly enjoyed his good fortune, taking advantage of the good nature and simplicity of his companion. For Florentius frequently and secretly by night would read to him a whole comedy of Terence, so that in a few months, as a result of their secret nocturnal sessions, they had finished the principal authors, but with great risk to the boy's delicate constitution. That, however, was nothing to Cantelius, who, having stumbled on this good fortune, rejoiced inwardly; for he loved no one wholeheartedly except himself. And lest Florentius might draw back from what he had begun, there was nothing which was not permitted him the welcome society of his equals pleased him; he took part in singing, playing, and the capping of verses; he was not compelled to fast; he was not awakened for nocturns; no one warned or reproved him; everyone favored and smiled on him. Thus were several months spent without serious reflection; but, when the day was at hand when he must put off the secular and put on the religious habit, Florentius came to his senses, and began to sing the old song; and sending for his guardian, began to treat about his freedom. Once more were harsh threats used, once more was the desperate state of his finances pointed out to him unless he continued in what was well begun. Nor did Cantelius, who disliked the idea of losing his nightly unpaid instructor, fail to do his part vigorously. I ask you, was not this doing violence to a boy who was by nature simple, inexperienced, and unreflecting? But why do I delay? In Ispite of his objections, the habit was thrown over his shoulders, though they knew that his determination was still unchanged. After this was done, his boyish heart was again cajoled by flattery and kindness. Thus again nearly a whole year passed away in play and thoughtlessness. But he had by now discovered that this kind of life was good for neither mind nor body; for to his mind nothing was sweet but study. Here, however, study had neither honor nor use. In other respects he was not adverse to piety; but he was not particularly charmed with their hymns and ceremonies, in which almost their whole life consists. In such communities it is generally the brothers who are dull, half-witted, illiterate, and fonder of their stomachs than of their books, who are pushed forward for such purposes. If any remarkable talent appears amongst them, any youth who has a natural taste for learning, he is repressed lest he rise above the rest. And yet these men require a strong hand over them; and it generally happens that the dullest and the most wicked,

if he be sturdy of body, gets on best in the pack. Now, reflect with me what a punishment it is for a man born for learning to pass his life among such people, with no hope of liberation, unless perchance he should be placed at the head of a nunnery-than which there is no worse slavery. For besides his constant care of the female flock, he must waste time daily at long drawn out drinking-bouts, not without danger to his virtue; and it frequently happens that they relegate to his former cell the Superior who is broken down with years and no longer of use, all the more miserable in that he led in his younger days the life of a voluptuary.

The boy's tender body was so little inured to fasting that, if he had deferred eating beyond his usual time, he was frequently in danger from atrocious pains in the stomach and fainting spells, when he was not in the least expecting any such thing. Perchance greasy louts will laugh at this, fellows like sheep who will frisk if you feed them hay. But skilled physicians are well aware that this is peculiar to some constitutions, some refined organizations; hence they prescribe for them foods easily cooked, frequently and sparingly taken; although you may find others who, having once filled their bellies, can go without food longer than the vultures. Physicians tell us, too, that such constitutions are particularly sensitive to cold, winds, and dampness, and are more quickly affected by the weather around them than by the food within them. The boy had another discomfort peculiar to his constitution, which had clung to him from childhood on, and which he could not overcome: he could not sleep until well into the night; and if he were once disturbed he could not go to sleep again for several hours. How often used he to deplore, in conversations with his friends, that he was prevented from enjoying those golden hours, and was compelled to lose the pleasantest part of the day in sleep! How often did he try to overcome his nature in this regard, but in vain! Occasionally he tried the plan of staying up all night supperless, but not without detriment to his health. Fish he so loathed that merely the smell of it would give him a severe headache and fever. What could such a mind and body do in a monastery, especially in a locality like this? Just what a fish, forsooth, might do in a pasture, or an ox in the sea. Since the fathers were aware of all these things, if there had been in them a spark of true charity, ought they not to have come voluntarily to the aid of his boyish ignorance or thoughtlessness, and have thus advised him? "My son, it is foolish for you to strive in vain; you are unsuited to this mode of life, and it to you. Seek another kind of life while there is as yet no harm done. Not here alone does Christ dwell, but everywhere; and piety may be cultivated under any habit, if only the spirit is not lacking. We will see to it that your guardians and friends are satisfied, and that you may return in freedom. Thus you will not be in future a burden to us, nor we an obstacle to your welfare."

That would have been a speech worthy of kindly men; yet none of them gave a word of advice, but on the contrary, they brought up all

their contrivances lest this wretched little tunnyfish escape the net. One said that it was the habit of Satan to use all his arts and wiles by which he might be able to trip up the young soldier of Christ; but if he fought his battle bravely, the rest would be pleasant and easy. This monk affirmed that his own experience had been similar, but that now he seemed to be living in paradise. Another brother instilled a scruple into his mind by showing him the great danger he ran, lest the saintly Augustine, justly irritated by his contumely in rejecting the habit, might send upon him some dire evil; and he related several terrible instances of this very thing-how one had fallen into an incurable malady; another had been struck by lightning; a third had perished from the bite of a snake. They added that the taking of the habit was a tacit profession in the Order; and that before God it was no less criminal, and before men no less infamous, than if, being fully professed, he had fallen away. They urged the youth with every kind of weapon, but the most formidable was the fear of disgrace.

"Now it is too late to retreat," said they. "You have put your hand to the plough; it is wrong to turn back; if you put aside the habit which you assumed before many witnesses, you will always be the common talk of everybody."

Here they emphasized the word apostate with tragic mournfulness.

"Where will you turn?" said they. "You will never be able to come into the presence of good men; you will be execrated by the monks, and hated by the common people." Now the youth had a mind which felt dishonor keenly, and feared death less than disgrace. On the other hand, he was urged on by his guardians and friends, some of whom had lessened his property by theft. In a word, they conquered by villainy. The boy, with abhorrence in his soul and reluctance in his words, was compelled to put his head into the halter, just as captives in war stretch forth their hands to the victor to be bound, or as men overcome by protracted torments are wont they do, not what they wish, but what their conqueror wishes.

Florentius constrained his mind as best he could, but as for his body, no one is able to constrain it to suit himself. In the meantime, he did what imprisoned captives are wont to do: he solaced himself with his studies as far as this was allowed, for it had to be done secretly, though it was allowable to get drunk openly. Accordingly he relieved the tedium of his captivity with literature, until some unlooked for chance-some god from the machine-should show him a hope of deliverance. This occurred soon, for being called into his household by a certain bishop who was very powerful, and establishing himself in that position, he afterwards attended a celebrated university. Had such an event not happened, this fine character would have fallen to corruption, in idleness, voluptuousness, and drink. Not that the Order would have been to blame, but it did not suit his nature; for what is life to some is death to others. However, such is the modesty and reserve of the youth, that you

cannot get a word out of him hostile to his old Order; though sometimes reticence and a sense of propriety speak louder than words. Moreover, nothing can be done about these things, unless by the permission and command of the bishop in ordinary, by the consent of the Superiors, both provincial and general, and finally, with the approval of the whole Order. Although his conscience was free, and he knew that he could not be held by a forced vow, yet for a while he ceased to resist, partly owing to his excessive and natural diffidence which had many times proved a detriment to him, and partly owing to his fear of scandalizing ignorant and superstitious people, which he would do if he laid aside his habit, even though he did it at the behest of his Superior. Sometime afterwards it happened by chance that he visited a distant country for the purpose of study. There, according to the custom of the French, he used to wear a linen scapulary, over his frock, thinking it was proper. But twice his life was in imminent danger through it, because in that place the physicians who cared for people who were stricken by the plague wear a white linen cloth over the left shoulder, hanging down in front and back, by means of which they can be easily recognized and avoided by the passers-by in either direction. And if they do not keep to the less frequented streets, they are greeted with stones by the gathering mobs; for so much do these people fear death that they go out of their minds at the smell of the incense which is burned at funerals. At one such time when Florentius was visiting a certain learned, friend, he met en route two panderers, or at least brawlers, who with murderous threats and drawn swords were about to kill him, had not a matron luckily passing by warned them that he was in the service of the Church, and not a plague attendant. Nor did they desist from their grumbling or put up their swords until he, having knocked at the door (for the house was close by), was admitted. Another day he was on his way to visit some monks from his native country when suddenly there gathered a crowd, armed with stones and sticks, noisily inciting one another to "kill the dog, kill the dog." Meanwhile there came along a priest, who, merely smiling at his plight, said in a low voice in Latin, "They are asses, simply asses.' In the midst of the uproar, an elegantly dressed young man, wearing a purple cloak, issued from a neighboring mansion; and to him as to an altar Florentius betook himself. For he was utterly ignorant of the language, and he could not imagine what they purposed towards him. "Get this into your head," said the young man: "if you do not lay aside that white scapulary, some day you will get stoned in earnest. I am warning you, so look out." Still, he did not take off his habit, but covered it with an outer garment. Good God, what tragedies from a thing of nothing! They hold up their hands in holy horror, these stupid fellows, who place the essence of religion in the habit. I would not say that it should be rashly laid aside; but the Carthusians often change it for the apparel of a tradesman, so that they may more safely come to the synod. Canons Regular, also, for the sake of