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wounded man his creed before she relieves his hurt, nor demands the expiring victim of disease to make "a sign," ere she soothes his parting spirit. Why, then, should the society itself be exclusive, when its offices are not? Established in a Catholic country, and by a Roman Catholic saint, it was impossible to make it otherwise at first; but if once instituted among us, it should and would be free for the admission of all.

I confess myself enthusiastic on this subject; and I do all that an absent individual can do, by thus throwing before the public, as far as this book may go, a suggestion which some pure and elevated mind may mark and dwell upon, till it become, as it did on the formation of the society in France, a passion with one remarkable woman, and an object of solicitude and interest to the whole nation.

I shall not attempt to picture its advantages, or dwell upon them here. It appears to me the very extract and essence of Christianity put into action; and when I imagine for a moment the numbers of proud and, perhaps, prejudiced" beings who perish in my country sooner than encounter the evident pauperism of a hospital, preferring death within the bare walls of their garrets or cellars-when i reflect on the many who, with plenty of medicine and doctors to administer it, expire for want of consolation "to the mind diseased," I cannot but look with envy on the country live in, and in sorrow towards that where I would live, to see the blessing that is enjoyed here, in this divine institution, and to know that it is not, and never may be there.

It was about the year 1629 that the foundation of the establishment of the Sisterhood of Charity was laid in France by the pious exertions of Vincent de Paul, a priest, greatly and justly celebrated for his uncommon virtues and the untiring energy of his character. He was the founder of many charitable institutions. particularly L'Hospice des Enfans trouvés.* He is canonized, and honoured with the title of Saint-as well merited in this instance as it has been misplaced in others. All the print shops in Paris display full length portraits of Vincent de Paul; and the artist has given a most speaking eulogy of this truly good man. Instead of being represented, like most of his brother saints, surrounded by the absurd and revolting types of superstition, he is placed in a street at night, in the midst of a winter storm, with an

*The Foundling Hospital

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infant clasped to his breast, just rescued from the shroud of snow, to which some cruel mother had consigned it, and smiling in the face of its preserver. Such was the model (so unfrequently followed,) for Christian ministers, and to whom is due the institution of "Les Sœurs de la Charité."

Vincent was aided in his first efforts towards this holy work by a Madame Legras, a widowed lady of illustrious birth and large fortune, who associated herself with her pious confessor; and under their joint care it rapidly acquired consistence and immense success. The congregation, or society, of "Filles de la Charité" spread all over France, and was divided into many different branches, under various titles many females of the first quality joined the association and instances of virtue truly sublime were frequently displayed by almost every individual "Sister" to whom an occasion presented itself.

For nearly two centuries this admirable institution remained undisturbed, and completely identified with France, as well as with the nations into which it was received with avidity. But in 1793 even the Sœurs de la Charité did not escape the general ruin. The society was destroyed in Paris; the houses and property of the institution were seized and confiscated; the sisterhood dispersed and persecuted, and many of them put to death. The wretched rabble in their frenzy destroyed the very beings who, in the moment of their worst excess, would have brought them succour and safety. In the provinces, however, the Sœurs were respected; and in 1801 the sagacity of Buonaparte, then enjoying his most glorious title, first consul of the republic, re-established the institution, which from that day has become more flourishing, more extended, and more venerated than ever.

The duties of the "Sisterhood of Charity" are simple in their mere mention They are confined to attending the poor and sick, administering medicines, nursing them, and giving them the consolations of religion. But the details of such duties, put in practice, entail a varied train of trials and sufferings. A fund of charity must be deeply lodged in the heart of the female that enters into this order; and they who thus devote themselves to the service of the wretched, frequently abandon in doing so all the enjoyments attached to the possession of large fortune and illustrious birth. For this sacrifice is not as rare as might be imagined. Young girls reared in the lap of pleasure, and destined to all the

splendour and luxuries of the world, often voluntarily renounce them, and offer up a portion of the best years of their existence to the duties of benevolence and charity. We often see them flying from all the seductions of a worldly life, to embrace, with ardour, the pious obligations of such pursuits; and that, too, without having been excited to it, by the too frequent causes of self-sacrifice-one of those sudden losses which so cruelly reveal the power of death, or of those unlooked-for changes which betray the inconstancy of passion.

They go through a noviciate of a few months, and the period of their vows is only for one year; but many continue for a succession of years, and even for life. They can possess no property, nor enjoy any inheritance. They are supported and lodged, but their services are gratuitous. They are guided and governed in their general administration by a code of instructions drawn up by the hand of Vincent de Paul himself.

Such is a slight outline of this sisterhood, a real blessing to the countries where it exists, and an honour to human nature. I will now offer the reader a little sketch (a translation of a fragment of a French pamphlet which I picked up by chance), in which the writer appears to me to have happily caught, in one of the simplest and best points of view, the feelings which actuate or inspire the " Sœurs de la Charité." I must lay at the door of my original, the indiscretion, if there be any, of exposing the name of the virtuous maiden, although she is entitled to the admiration and applause of the public.

A SŒUR DE CHARITÉ:

A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

I HAVE often met, in the streets of the capital, a Sœur de Charité, whose youth inspired me with involuntary respect. Nothing could be more engaging than the expression of her countenance, nor more animated than her gait. There was an inexpressible charm in her blue eyes, and one could not help imagining that her woollen vestments concealed a beautiful form, as yet unchanged by time or fatigue. An air of health and content characterized her person, and was quite enough to satisfy those who might have attributed her apparent sacrifice to some one of those sorrows, of which youth exaggerates the importance and duration. One might say with certainty that misfortune had never approached her; and it was easy to imagine that her presence alone must, of itself, have been a happiness to the sufferers who enjoyed it.

At whatever distance I perceived the Sœur Eugénie, I, as it were mechanically, carried my hand to my hat; and my respectful salutation was recompensed by a benevolent smile, which gave me a sensation of pleasure in which pride certainly was mingled; but that feeling, I believe, enters into the most innocent actions of our lives. This interchange of salutations had established a sort of silent intercourse between us, of which we never failed to avail ourselves at each fortuitous rencontre. I was called one day to see a friend of mine, a poor devil of an author, whose talent had not preserved him from misery, and whose persevering labours had brought him to the verge of the grave. I was less surprised

than delighted to see the young sister at his bedside. She was reciting some prayer, in a low voice, while the poor invalid seemed to enjoy a profound sleep. The half-opened door allowed me to enter without being perceived; and, during some minutes, I contemplated the touching spectacle of innocence supplicating for misfortune.

A low sigh announced that the sufferer was awake. The Sister perceived me, saluted me as usual, and rose to offer her patient a potion that she had herself prepared. He took it in his hands in a sort of transport. His looks expressed the most lively gratitude. "My friend," said he to me, "God has taken pity on,me, and has sent an angel to reconcile me to myself. Since I have had the happiness to fall ill, her care of me has been most tender and unceasing, nothing could surpass her charity; and life is the least benefit I owe her."

"Speak less," said the young Sister, "the doctor was particular in his orders on that point;" and then, turning to me, as to an old acquaintance-" he is much better-the doctor has pronounced him out of danger; but a single imprudence might be fatal to him. Do not allow him to say more than is absolutely indispensable." Then, after having arranged a second potion, which the patient was to take in an hour-"I leave you," said she; "my duty calls me away: the doctor will come at noon, and I will return in the course of the day."

My friend was just at that age when we have no faith in medicine, or the doctor who comes to administer it. He set more value on the visits of the sister Eugénie than in all the science of the faculty; and as soon as his guardian angel was gone, he assured me that he was entirely recovered, and feared nothing, and that he only consented to be still an invalid for the happiness of receiving the attendance of Mademoiselle Montiégean; and as he perceived a movement of surprise, on my part, that I was not able to repress, he added, "Yes, my friend, this young person is the granddaughter of the Count de Montmégean, descended from one of the most noble families of La Bresse. Her grandfather emigrated; all his property was seized and sold, and his young daughter whom he had left in France, reduced to a state of great difficulty. At length, when our countrymen were tired of crying Vive la mort!' he came back, but would not accept any place under the emperor, and, in consequence,,

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