Here the violence of my pains obliges me to lay down my pen,-I know not when, or if ever, I shall resume it. A moment's ease, after seven days and nights of continual torment, puts the pen again into my hand. One thing comforts me, that by a peculiar favour of Heaven, my mind acquires strength as my body decays, and there is only one thing that gives me real affliction-I have not done all the good I ought to have done, for which reason' I earnestly intreat you to pray to God, that he would pardon me, and deign to accept my small remains of life, as an expiation for my sins. Had I any intervals of tranquility, for I am not always master of my faculties, I would write to all the Faithful as their Father and Pastor, recommending to them before my death, peace and charity the distinguishing mark of Christians. There is another duty too which I would gladly fulfill to the religious Order which tolerated me in her bosom for the space of thirty-six years; I would willingly return her thanks, by a public act, for the charity with which she bore with my imperfections. I die as I lived with gratitude to all who have done me service, and always your friend.-Forget me in the sight of men, before whom I shall soon be only a portion of dust, but remember me before God, in whom I have rested all my hope, that I may not be covered with confusion in eternity. It has been his will to shew me, in a dreadful manner, the nothingness of grandeur, ever while I was surrounded with it, by mixing for me a cup of gall and wormwood.-Blessed be his name; nothing can be a greater happiness to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, than to die on Mount Calvary, like that divine Saviour. If I have not the consolation of seeing you, I shall expect you in eternity, where I hope we shall enjoy the invaluable blessing of meeting again in God, who will then be our universe, our element, and our life. This 26th of August, 1774. OTHER OTHER LETTERS, &c. LETTER CLXXXIV. TO THE REV. F. PISCHAULT, General of the Regular Canons of the Order of the Holy Trinity, (called Mathurins.) DEAR SON, IT is with much pleasure that we have received the letter in which you congratulate us upon our elevation, notwithstanding our weakness and our unworthiness. You have testified to us that joy, of which you were sensible, although we were persuaded of it before-hand from the old attachment we have had to you and all your Order. Our satisfaction is the greater, that you give us the most pleasing testimony of your truly filial confidence, and of all the Friars of the Order of whom you are the Chief. We |