S. FRANCIS DE SALES BISHOP AND PRINCE OF GENEVA BY THE AUTHOR OF "A DOMINICAN Artist," "Life of Madame Louise de France," ETC., ETC. TOTHE "Je veux peu de choses, ce que je veux, je veux fort pen." PREFACE N writing this Life of S. Francis de Sales, the IN object aimed at has been less historical or ecclesiastical investigation, than a vivid and natural setting forth, so far as may be, of the holy Bishop's inner mind and life, as it can be traced in his own writings and in those of his most intimate and loving friends. For this reason, the trifling details of his life and conversation have been dwelt upon, rather than those more specially concerning his mission in Chablais, his controversial labours among Swiss and French Protestants, or his exertions on behalf of his people at the Courts of France and Savoy. These have been already written about at length, and are therefore but lightly touched here. Neither is his work as a guide of souls more than briefly sketched in this volume, and that because nothing can set it so clearly before us as his own letters; accordingly, it is proposed that this Life be speedily followed by a translation of the Spiritual Letters of S. Francis de Sales, as also of Bishop Belley's "Esprit de S. François de Sales" and the "Traité de l'Amour de Dieu." From the time the latter work and the "Vie Dévote" were published, they have been the delight of countless pious souls in all parts of the Church. Our own Archbishop |