lent men. He has also published an account of M. de Rancé, which many prefer to M. de Meaupeaux, and to M. Villefores. I suppose you know that Dom Pierre le Nain is brother to our friend the celebrated M. Tillemont. Both were in the school of Chênet. How truly thankful and joyful should we be in the midst of our persecution, that it has pleased God, so to bless our endeavours, and to make our little schools the means of producing such excellent and valuable men.

M. de Rancé does not encourage learning in his monastery. Some persons think he discourages it too much; perhaps it arose from having so long experienced the effects of unsanctified learning himself, that made him not sufficiently appreciate the value of that which was sanctified. His controversy on the subject with the amiable and learned Mabillon is well known. The congregation of St. Maur was at this time at the height of its celebrity for its deep erudition. Distinguished by the labors of Menard, D'Acherri, Mabillon,

Ruinart, Germain, Montfaucon, Martin, Vaisette, le Nourri, Martianay, Martenne, and Massuet: its splendid and learned editions of the fathers of the Christian church, had already spread its fame over the Christian world. They were at this very period engaged in some of their most laborious and valuable works. These pious and learned Benedictines felt themselves therefore called upon in a peculiar manner to reply to M. de Rancé's work. They selected Father Mabillon as the fittest member of their body to defend their cause. The controversy continued for some time. Perhaps M. de Rancé's replies shew that even the very best of men too often find it difficult to distinguish their individual experience from that universal observation, on which alone general rules can be justly founded.

Blessed be God, he has shewn us, by the examples of both these excellent societies, that with him it is neither learned nor unlearned, Greek nor barbarian, which avails any thing, but only a new creature, an

heart renewed after his image in righteousness and true holiness; even his grace in a crucified Redeemer, apprehended by faith, and working by love.

Whilst the holy but unlettered fathers of La Trappe exemplified to the world that God is all-sufficient, and that the way of holiness is so plain, that even a fool need not err therein: the equally pious, but more learned congregation of St. Maur, shew forth in all the earth, that with every advantage of talent and science, it is yet possible, by the grace of God, so to learn Christ, as with St. Paul, to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I believe I ought to apologize to you, my reverend Mother, for this long digression concerning M. de Rancé; but the institution is so unparalleled, and has lately excited so much curiosity, that I thought you might be interested in knowing the steps which led to its establishment.

M. de Rancé is not the only disciple of M. d'Alêt. Many other persons equally

eminent, though not so singular, also owe their spiritual birth to him; especially the learned antiquarian Montfaucon, of St. Maur,

I confess, however, that I was still more struck with the more than paternal care M. d'Alêt takes of his flock, than even with the luminous pastoral instructions he has addressed to celebrated and eminent men. The latter might have been attributed to a desire of having disciples, who might establish his reputation, did not the former shew, that his chief care is bestowed on those whom God alone has given him, He very often says." Souls, my brethren, are of equal value, O! that we were but deeply persuaded of it! A poet in a neighbouring island has said, that the beetle which is crushed unheeded, feels a pang as great as when a giant dies. Though this is more poetic than philosophic as it respects the body, how true is it in the second death, in the death of the soul! There the wretch who expires on a dunghill, or the prince who departed from a silken couch, alike feel the relentless gnawing of the

worm that dieth not; and writhe in equal torture on the bed of flames that will never be quenched! An equal hell awaits sinners of every rank; an equal Heaven invites every seeker; an equal Saviour died for every individual soul. O! let us go to Calvary and Golgotha, to learn how very precious is the very least and meanest in the sight of Christ our Saviour. Let us go daily to Gethsemane and to the sepulchre, to learn how we ought to love and bear on our hearts every soul of man!"

I was astonished to find it a literal fact, that M. d'Alêt knows both the temporal and spiritual wants of every single individual throughout the whole of his extensive diocese. This is actually the case respecting even children above ten years old; and I am told, there is not one, the meanest shepherd's boy, whose situation he does not thoroughly inquire into once every year. If any lads appear to have good parts, he places them in seminaries, which he has established in every town. He keeps a peculiarly watchful eye over any that ap