in the exteriors of churchmen! To me they appeared all saints; so much was my mind over-awed by the place where I was: and I did not so much as suspect, that there could be any false money in the case; as if no such thing was even seen among the princes of the church.

The archbishop immediately advancing | amine them also. What sagacity there s towards me, asked what I wanted, with a voice full of sweetness: and I told him, that I was the young man of whom Don Fernand de Leyva had spoke to him. He gave me no time to proceed, but cried, O! you are the person then of whom he spoke so handsomely. I retain you in my service: you are a valuable acquisition. You may stay where you are." So saying, he went out, supported by two ushers, after having heard some clergymen, who had something to communicate. Scarce was he out of the room, when the same officers who disdained my conversation, now courted it. They surrounded me, and with the utmost complaisance expressed their joy, at seeing me become a commensal officer of the palace. Having heard what their master said to me, they had a longing desire to know on what footing I was retained: but I was so malicious as to baulk their curiosity, in revenge for their contempt.

His grace returning in a little time, made me follow him into his closet, that he might talk with me in private. I concluded, that his design in so doing, was to try my understanding; and, accordingly, kept myself on my guard, and was resolved to weigh every word before I should speak it. He first of all examined me, on what is called humanity; and I did not answer amiss: he had occasion to see, that I was pretty well acquainted with the Greek and Latin authors. He then put me upon logick; where I expected him, and found me quite master of that subject. "Your education (said he to me, with some surprise) has not been neglected: let us now see your hand-writing." I thereupon took out of my pocket a sheet, which I had brought for the purpose: and the prelate seemed very well pleased with my performance. "I am satisfied with your hand, (cried he), and still more with your understanding. I shall thank my nephew Don Fernand for having given me such an able young man, whom I look upon as a real present."

Being seated by an old valet de chambre, whose name was Melchior de la Ronda, he took great care to help me to the choice bits; and this attention which he expressed for me, inspiring me with a respect for him, he was charmed with my polite behaviour. 'Signior cavalier (said he softly to me, after dinner,) I want to have some private conversation with you." At the same time, he carried me to a part of the palace, where nobody could overhear us; and there talked to me in this manner: "Son, from the very first moment in which I saw you, I felt an inclination for you: of this I will give you a certain proof, by imparting something which may be of great advantage to you. You are here in a family, where true and false devotees live pell-mell; so that it will be an infinite time before you can of yourself, be acquainted with the ground. But I will spare you such a tedious and disagreeable study, by discovering the characters of both; after which, you may the more easily conduct yourself.

I will begin (added he) with his grace, who is a very pious prelate, incessantly employed, in edifying and reforming the people, by sermons of his own composition full of excellent morals. He quitted the court about twenty years ago, in order to devote himself entirely to his zeal for his flock. He is a learned man and a great orator, whose sole pleasure consists in preaching, and his hearers are ravished with admiration. Perhaps there is a little vanity in the case: but besides that it does not belong to man to penetrate the heart, it would be ungrateful in me to inquire into the faults of a person whose bread I eat. If I was permitted to disapprove of any thing in my master I Being interrupted by the arrival of would blame his severity. Instead of some noblemen of Grenada, who came to making an allowance for ecclesiastical dine with the archbishop, I left them to- foibles, he punishes them with too much gether, and withdrew among the officers, rigour: in particular, he prosecutes, withwho were quite profuse in their com-out mercy, those who, relying on their plaisance to me. I went to dinner with innocence, attempt to justify themselves them at the usual time; and if they ob- in a legal manner, in contempt of his served me at table, I did not fail to ex- authority. I observe another fault which

is common to him with a great many people of quality: although he loves his domesticks, he makes no consideration for their services, but lets them grow old, without ever thinking of procuring for them some small settlement. If he gives them gratifications sometimes, they owe them solely to the goodness of somebody who has spoken in their behalf: for it would never come into his head to provide for them otherwise."

which means I passed, in his judgment, for a man who had a delicate knowledge of the true beauties of a work. "This is, (cried he,) what is called having taste and sentiment: well, friend, I assure thee thou hast not got Boeotian ears." In a word, he was so well satisfied with me, that he pronounced with some vivacity, "Gil Blas, henceforth give thyself no uneasiness about thy fortune: I undertake to make it extremely agreeable; I love thee; and, as a proof of my affection, make thee my confident.”

length understood from Don Fernand, who visited him very often, that was so much beloved, I might look upon my fortune as already made. This my master himself confirmed to me, a little time after, on the following occasion. One evening he repeated in his closet, when I was present, with great enthusiasm, an homily which he intended to pronounce the next day in the cathedral. and, not satisfied with asking my opinion This is what the old valet de chambre of it in general, obliged me to single out told me of his master; and he afterwards the particular passages which I most adcommunicated his thoughts of the clergy-mired. I had the good luck to mention men with whom he had dined; pictures those that he himself looked upon to be which but ill agreed with their external the best, his own favourite morceaus: by deportment. Indeed he did not represent them as dishonest men, but only as bad priests; excepting some, however, whose virtue he very much extolled. I was no longer at a loss how to regulate my features among those gentlemen: that very evening at supper, I, like them, assumed a stage aspect; a task that costs nothing: so that we must not wonder that there are so many hypocrites in the world. I had been in the afternoon, to fetch my baggage and horse from the inn where I had lodged; after which I returned to supper at the palace, where I found a very handsome chamber, and a down-bed, prepared for me. His grace ordered me to be called early next morning; and gave me a homily to transcribe, injoining me to copy it with all possible exactness. This I performed minutely, without having forgot either accent, point, or comma; so that the joy he expressed was mingled with surprise. "Good heaven! (cried he in a transport, when he had surveyed all the sheets of my copy,) was ever anything seen so correct? You transcribe so well that you must certainly understand grammar. Tell me ingenuously, my friend, have you found nothing that shocked you in writing it over? Some neglect, perhaps, in the style, or improper term?" "O, Sir, (answered I, with an air of modesty,) I am not learned enough to make critical observations; and if I was, I am persuaded that the works of your grace would escape my censure." The prelate smiled at my reply; and, though he said nothing, discovered through all his piety, that he was a downright author.

By this kind of flattery, I entirely gained his good graces, became more and more dear to him every day; and at

I no sooner heard these words than I fell at his grace's feet, quite penetrated with gratitude; I heartily embraced his bandy legs, and looked upon myself as a man on the highway to wealth and opulence. "Yes, my child, (resumed the archbishop, whose course had been interrupted by my prostration,) thou shalt be the repository of my most secret thoughts. Listen with attention to what I am going to say: my chief pleasure consists in preaching; the Lord gives a blessing to my homilies; they touch the hearts of sinners, make them seriously reflect on their conduct, and have recourse to repentance. I have sometimes the satisfaction to see a miser terrified by the images which I represent to his avarice, open his treasures, and squander them with a prodigal hand. I have also torn, as it were, the Epicurean from his pleasures, filled hermitages with the sons of ambition, and confirmed in her duty the wife who has been shaken by the allurements of a seducing lover. These conversions, which are frequent, ought of themselves to excite my study; nevertheless, I will confess my weakness; I propose to myself another reward, a reward which the deli

confident of his grace: they were not ashamed to be guilty of groveling meannesses, in order to capture my good-will. I could scarce believe they were Spaniards; though I did them good offices, without being the dupe of their selfish complaisance. His grace the archbishop, at my request, exerted himself in their favour: to one he procured a company, and put him in a condition to make a figure in the army. Another he sent to Mexico, to take possession of a considerable post which he had obtained for him; and my friend Melchior, through my means, enjoyed a handsome gratification. This condescension convinced me, that though the prelate did not anticipate people's desires, he rarely refused any favour that was asked.

cacy of my virtue reproaches me with in vain! I mean the esteem that the world shows for fine polished writing. The honour of being reckoned a perfect orator has charmed my imagination; my performances are thought equally strong and delicate; but I would, of all things, avoid the fault of good authors who write too long, and retire without forfeiting the least tittle of my reputation. Wherefore, my dear Gil Blas, (continued the prelate,) one thing that I exact of thy zeal is, whenever thou shalt perceive my pen smack of old age, and my genius flag, don't fail to advertise me of it; for I don't trust to my own judgment, which may be seduced by self-love. That observation must proceed from a disinterested understanding, and I make choice of thine, which I know is good; resolved to stand to thy decision." But what I did for a certain priest Thank heaven, Sir, (said I,) that period deserves, in my opinion, to be told: one is far off: besides, a genius like that of day, a licentiate, whose name was Lewis your grace will preserve its vigor much Garcia, a young man of a very good apbetter than any other; or, to speak pearance, was presented to me by our more justly, will be always the same. I steward; who said, "Signior Gil Blas, this look upon you as another cardinal Xime- honest clergyman is one of my best friends; nes, whose superior genius, instead of he was chaplain of a nunnery; and his being weakened by age, seems to receive new strength from it." "No flattery, friend, (said he, interrupting me,) I know, I am liable to sink all at once: people at my age begin to feel infirmities, and the infirmities of the body often affect the understanding. I repeat it to thee again, Gil Blas, as soon as thou shalt judge mine in the least impaired, be sure to give me notice; and be not afraid of speaking freely and sincerely, for I shall receive thy advice as a mark of thy affection. Besides, thy interest is concerned; if, unhappily for thee, it should come to my ears, that the publick says my discourses have no longer their wonted force, and that it is high time for me to repose myself; I frankly declare that thou shalt lose my friendship, as well as the fortune I have promised. Such will be the result of thy foolish reserve!"

Here my patron left off speaking, in order to hear my reply, which was a promise to behave according to his desire. From that moment he concealed nothing from me; I became his favourite; an event which none of his domestics, except Melchior de la Ronda, could perceive without envy. It was a diverting scene to behold the manner in which the gentlemen and squires then lived with the

virtue has not escaped scandal: some people have done him ill offices with his grace, who has suspended him, and is unhappily so much prejudiced against him, that he will listen to no solicitation in his behalf. We have employed, to no purpose, all the persons of rank in Grenada, to beg that he may be re-established; but our master is quite inflexible."

"Gentlemen (said I) you have gone the wrong way to work; it would have been better for Mr. Licentiate if no solicitation had been made; for in their endeavours to serve him, they have done him a manifest injury. I am well acquainted with his grace; intreaties and recommendations serve only to aggravate, in his opinion, the fault of an ecclesiastic. It was but t'other day I heard him say to himself, "The more people a priest, who has been guilty of irregularity, engage to speak to me in his behalf, the more is the scandal augmented, and the more severity do I exercise." "That is unfortunate (replied the steward), and my friend would be very much embarrassed, if he was not blessed with a good hand: happily for him, he writes to admiration; and, by the help of that talent, keeps himself out of difficulties." I was curious to see if this writing, so much extolled, was much better than

haviour; and in short, there is mercy for every transgression. Bring the licentiate hither; I take off his suspension."

Thus it is, that the most severe men abate of their severity, when more dear self-interest is concerned. The archbishop granted, without difficulty, to the vain pleasure of having his works well writ, that which he had refused to the most powerful solicitations. I carried the news immediately to the steward, who imparted them to his friend Garcias; who, the very next day, coming to make an acknowledgment of thanks suitable to the favour obtained, I presented him to my master, who contented himself with reprimanding him slightly, and gave him the homilies to transcribe. Garcias acquitted himself so well, that he was reestablished in his ministry, and even obtained the living of Gabia, a large markettown in the neighbourhood of Grenada.

my own: and the licentiate, who had a specimen in his pocket, shewed me a page that I admired very much, for it looked like a writing master's copy. While I considered this beautiful performance, a thought coming into my head, I desired Garcias to leave the paper, telling him that I might possibly make some use of it, that would turn out to his advantage; that I could not explain myself at that time, but would next day tell him more of the matter. The licentiate, to whom, in all probability, the steward had made an eulogium of my genius, withdrew as much satisfied as if he had been already re-instated in his office. I was truly desirous that he might be so; and that same day laboured for him in the following manner: being alone with the archbishop, I shewed him the writing of Garcias, with which my patron seemed quite charmed: then laying hold of the opportunity, "Sir (said I to him), since you won't cause your homilies to be printed, I wish they were at least written in this hand." "I am satisfied with thine (answered the prelate), but I own I should not be sorry to have a copy of my work in that hand." "Your Grace, (I replied) has nothing to do but to speak: the man who paints so well is a licentiate of my acquaintance who will be ravished to do that service for you; the more, because by these means he may interest your goodness in extricating him from the melancholy situation in which he has the misfortune to be at present." The prelate did not fail to ask the name of the licentiate: upon which I said, "He is called Lewis Garcias, and is in despair on account of having incurred your displeasure." "That Garcias (said he, interrupting me) was, if I am not mistaken, chaplain to a convent of nuns, and lies under the censure of the church: I remember some informations that I received against him: his morals are but indifferent." "Sir," said I (interrupting him in my turn,) "I will not undertake to justify him; but I know he has enemies; and pretends, that the authors of those informations which you have seen, were more bent upon doing him ill offices than on telling the truth." "That may be (replied the archbishop); there are abun- Two months after this gentleman's dedance of very dangerous dispositions in parture, in the very zenith of my favour, this world. Besides, granted that his we had a hot alarm in the episcopal paconduct has not been always irreproach- lace: the archbishop was seized with a able, he may have repented of his misbe-fit of apoplexy: he was, however, suc

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While I thus bestowed my service on different people, Don Fernand being about to leave Grenada, I visited that nobleman before his departure, in order to thank him anew for the excellent post which he had procured for me. I appeared to him so well satisfied with my condition, that he said, "My dear Gil Blas, I am ravished to find thee so well pleased with my uncle the archbishop." "I am charmed with him (I replied), and shall never be able to shew myself grateful enough for his generosity to me. Nothing less could have consoled me for the loss of Don Cæsar and his son."-"I am persuaded (answered he) that they are both extremely mortified at your absence; but, perhaps, you are not separated for ever: fortune may one day bring you together again." Melted by these words, I sighed, and found at that instant my love for Don Alphonso so great, that I would have willingly abandoned the archbishop, with all the agreeable hopes he had given me, to return to the castle of Leyva, if the obstacle that banished me from it had been removed. Don Fernand perceived the emotions of my soul, which pleased him so much, that he embraced me with affection, and assured me that his whole family would always bear a part in my destiny

coured immediately, and such salutary of him, and if they were satisfied with his medicines administered, that in a few last discourse. I answered, that his hodays his health was re-established: but milies were always admired, but in my his understanding had received a rude shock, which I plainly perceived in the very next discourse which he composed. I did not, however, find the difference between this and the rest so sensible, as to make me conclude that the orator began to flag; and waited for another homily to fix my resolution. This indeed was quite decisive; sometimes the good old prelate repeated the same thing over and over; sometimes rose too high, or sunk too low: it was a vague discourse, the rhetoric of an old professor, a mere capucinade.*