termination, verily you will be happy and well pleased, for this
gentleman is all that I could desire for you. All the rest I leave for
your brother to tell you. Do not speak about this matter to anyone, but
pray and send me your answer as soon as you can. Now don't fail to do
so. Write by two routes and promptly. In fifteen days I shall send to
the coach office for your answer, and I beg of you to have it there for
me. As regards other business, I have already asked you to urge M.
Coulon to sell Foretz. Be sure to see to this; for we must have three
thousand crowns in ready money, as I have promised that sum. Arrange
that M. Coulon pays you in full, at latest within six months; urge him,
and be careful to see that there is no unnecessary expenditure. I write
in the greatest haste. God bless you, my child. Unite with me in
praising and blessing Him always. I shall settle things to your best
advantage, so have no fear, dearest daughter.
FOOTNOTE:
[A] M. de Toulonjon.
XL. _To Mother Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Superior at Moulins._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS,
_March 12th, 1620._
I know well, my dearest Sister, how deeply you felt the news of my son's
accident,[A] for your heart is so full of love for me that all my
sorrows are sorrows to you. I did not mention it when writing because I
did not think of it. God has given me the grace not to be very much
upset by this news, which was broken to me bluntly enough. Indeed, it
was an unlooked for happening, and one in which a wiser man than he
could not have refused to come to the assistance of an injured friend.
Such is the way of the world. All the same he got into trouble about it,
without, however, being too much inconvenienced, and the affair is now
all settled. The good gentleman whom the sergeant tried to take away was
badly wounded and has not yet recovered; but thank God all the rest are
on their feet again.
Your prayers will be of use to my son and he needs them. We are thinking
of marrying my daughter[B] to M. de Toulonjon, the brother of Mme. de
la Poivrière. The matter has been proposed to us through M. Dautesy. My
nephew d'Effran and my son know him well, and they consider it a very
advantageous match for my daughter and advise me not to refuse. The
gentleman declared his intentions most honourably and with all
deference. He is a frank, honest man.
Do not speak of this for the present, my love, but pray about it, for I
fear my daughter's irresolution. She is a painful anxiety to me.
Our M. Lefevre has not come; if you can tell me where he is staying I
would invite him, or indeed beg of him to come here; however, the
chancellor is very likely to be with the King.
The girl I proposed to you as a lay sister lives near Moulins, but if
you have others whom you yourself know, do not trouble about her, it
does not signify. Your plan of treating with the Sisters for the Nevers
foundation is, I consider, admirable. They have done the same at
Orleans. But, my dear friend, see that everything is on a very secure
footing and only treat with good subjects, such as you know they ought
to be. For the rest visit and find out all about the place they propose
selling to you before you purchase it, and arrange, if you can, as they
have done at Orleans, to purchase in case it proves suitable, and if not
desirable as a permanent residence, to rent it. What you tell me about
the Carmelites wishing to take it keeps me in a state of uncertainty,
for they are extremely prudent and have very competent people to help
them. But the good Father of our Sisters (Bonsidat) can do much with the
advice of the Jesuits. I think, or rather I fear, they may be very glad
to put us off now that the Carmelites are coming. Indeed, we must put
the affair into the hands of God and follow good counsel as you are
doing. You should make quite certain of the consent of the gentlemen of
Nevers and of the authorities of the town before taking the Sisters
there; for this reason we must obtain it, at latest, by Easter, as it is
so far from Nessy, and I think those for Orleans will be sent by
Pentecost. By the way, you have not told me if they have sent you a
mistress of novices; but as dear Sister Marie Hélène (de Chastellux) is
doing so well I think you might do with her. Certainly, my child, if the
Superior of Nevers is from Nessy that is enough. Don't urge Mgr. of
Lyons, but let him do as he likes. Your spiritual Father can give
permission for the departure of the Sisters.
You see I am writing in breathless haste. We are always overwhelmed with
work here; but to-day it is because I have a heavy cold for which I was
bled yesterday. You know how subject I am to these colds, but you need
not be in the very least anxious about me. Would to God, my dearest
friend, that you kept as well as I do, and that they took as much care
of you! It distresses me that you have no one to look after you. May God
in His goodness provide you with someone! Take what care you can of
yourself, I beseech you.
I have had no news of his Lordship for a long time, but I know he is
quite well. Thank God, I think he will soon go to Piedmont. M. de Boisy
is coadjutor in the bishopric of Geneva. No more time. I salute your
dear family and your hostess. I cannot write more. Good-bye, my dearest
and best of daughters, for whom I have such a special love. Urge on your
daughters gently in the way of holy tranquillity and recollection. Amen.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] The young Baron de Chantal had just been compromised, not in a duel,
but in one of those sudden assaults so common at that period, in which
he took part in order to defend a friend who had been attacked.
[B] Françoise de Chantal.
XLI. _To Mademoiselle de Chantal._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS, 1620.
Listen to this, daughter dear. M. de Toulonjon finds himself free for
eight or ten days, and off he is going to know whether you consider him
too old to please you; for as regards everything else he is in hopes of
finding favour with you. As for me, to be candid with you I see nothing
to find fault within him, and even nothing more to wish for. I never
before remember feeling such satisfaction about a temporal matter. Our
Lord has given me this feeling. It is not so much this gentleman's good
nature and good birth that attracts me as his mind, disposition,
candour, his good sense, uprightness, and reputation. In a word, my dear
Françoise, we may well bless God about this affair. In gratitude to Him,
my child, you should try to love and serve Him better than you have ever
done and to let nothing whatsoever prevent you from frequenting the
sacraments and from practising humility and gentleness. Take the Devout
Life for your guide and it will lead you safely. Do not lose your time
over such little vanities as jewels and clothes. You are about to
possess them in abundance, but, dear daughter, never forget that we
should use the good things God gives us without being attached to them,
and everything that the world esteems should be looked upon in this
light. Henceforth, let your ambition be to be adorned with honour and
modest discretion in the position into which you are about to enter.
Indeed I am gratified that your relatives and I have arranged this
marriage without you. It is thus that the wise act, and I should like
always to be your counsellor. Besides, your brother, who has a good
judgment, is charmed with this alliance. M. de Toulonjon it is true is
some fifteen years your senior, but, my child, you will be far happier
with him than if you married a foolish, inconsiderate young scamp such
as are the young men of to-day. You are marrying a man who is nothing of
all this, who never gambles, but who has passed his life at court and
in the battlefield with honour and who has a high appointment from the
King. You will not have the good judgment with which I credit you if you
do not receive him cordially and frankly. Do so, my daughter, with a
good grace, and be assured that God has you in His mind and will not
forget you if you throw yourself tenderly into His arms, for He takes
care of those who trust in Him.
XLII. _To Sister Marie-Marthe Legros, at Bourges._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS, 1620.
MY VERY DEAR SISTER,
I understand perfectly, and have never doubted but that your intention
was upright. Don't be afraid to tell me what you think it your duty to
mention, but, my love, do not worry yourself about such things, if they
are not manifest faults. Leave them to the coadjutrix, who ought to do
her duty in all humility and cordiality. Tell her from me that I will do
all she asks me, but I cannot write to her this time. For God's sake
observe the rules punctually, and have all of you but one heart and one
soul, and so will your love be perfect in Our Lord. Give my affectionate
love to my poor fat Sister M. M., and dear little M. Louise; both are in
my heart. I wish all happiness to the two dear daughters
Marie-Françoise and Anne-Marie; I pray God to give them and all of you
the virtue of holy obedience, the mother of all virtues.
Be sure to tell the dear professed that they have a bigger share of my
heart than they dream of. But as to the reception to the habit of Sister
---- this child has not the conditions marked, why then have they given
her their votes? They do not set sufficient value on fidelity to the
Rule. Votes should never be given in the hope of amendment, you should
see the improvement first before giving the habit, and the same with
regard to Sister C. M.: she should not make her profession at the end of
the year. Why! in truth she has only really conducted herself as a
novice for six months, so she ought, I consider, to be kept back, and
this will prove her perseverance and bring home to her that she does not
deserve to be professed, and that with humility and submission, such
matters should be left in the hands of the Superior, and the Sisters. By
this prolongation of her trial, her virtue and her dispositions will be
tested.
May God in His goodness give you all His spirit, and the grace to weigh
well all our Rules, so that they may be observed and followed even to
the most insignificant point, for in this our happiness consists.
Adieu to you, my dear Sister, and to all our dear professed. Let us love
God and accomplish His will, I beseech you, my dearly loved daughter.
XLIII. _To Madame du Tertre._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS,
_11 August, 1620._
MY VERY DEAR DAUGHTER,
Having a little free time I make use of it to beg of you in the name of
God to accept the judgement of the Bishop of Geneva, to whom you have
referred this affair, and who considers that what was so deliberately
settled on the house of Nevers should remain with that house. You, my
dearest daughter, ought to be indifferent about such matters so long as
we give you all you desire. Why should you trouble as to what use we
make of your gift since quite sufficient is provided for your
maintenance? If you keep to your holy desire of living amongst us and
giving yourself entirely to God you must, if you please, trust his
Lordship and show that you are satisfied with his decision. As for us,
we desire neither law-suit nor contention, and a hundred times would we
prefer to return all you have given us rather than retain it with the
least accompanying unpleasantness: for we value peace with holy poverty
incomparably more than all the goods this world can give us.
The Bishop of Geneva will not disclaim what I now say to you. I am a
little surprised that, since his letters have arrived, we have received
no news except that much pressure is being brought to bear on our
Sisters of Nevers to induce them to return the money they have received.
It is their Bishop tells me this. You understand, my very dear daughter,
that if you desire to persevere, as I believe you do, you must please,
now that you are acquainted with the views of his Lordship of Geneva,
cease to discuss this matter.
Our poor Sisters of both houses are sorely afflicted at having to give
ear to a style of conversation with which they are unacquainted--peace
is more to them than such things. Let them have it, then, I pray you.
Believe me,
Always yours, etc.
XLIV. _To M. de Palierne, Treasurer of France at Moulins._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS,
_August 15, 1620._
SIR,
Your regard for the Bishop of Geneva and for our little Institute,
together with the prudence with which you have always guided our Convent
of Moulins, gives me hope that you will find a means of adjusting the
opposing claims of the Bishop of Nevers and Madame du Tertre. The
pregnant arguments you put forward bear, I acknowledge, great weight,
but so do those of his Lordship of Nevers. I see much to consider on
both sides. Yet I tell you frankly, and it seems to me that I am not
unreasonable in my opinion, that, in consideration of Madame du Tertre's
resolve to live with us, what she has so freely given ought to be left
with the house of Nevers: otherwise she would have to make a virtue of
necessity, and this we should be sorry to oblige her to do. But I am
chiefly influenced by the fact that the authorities of Nevers only gave
permission for the establishment of the Convent because Madame du Tertre
accompanied her petition by a promise of ten thousand crowns, which
promise was followed by the actual purchase in her name of a property,
and the payment of a third of the foundation money; and on the strength
of this the Sisters were received. Possession was afterwards taken of
the house. The Sisters were installed by the Bishop, enclosure
established, and the Blessed Sacrament reserved. Since that day the
Divine Office[A] has been continuously recited. Thus, the foundation is,
as you see, completely established. How, then, can Madame du Tertre,
having undertaken the financial establishment of this house, now draw
back without upsetting the whole affair? For as his Lordship of Nevers
has upon two occasions plainly told me, the spiritual foundation cannot
exist without the temporal.
Do you not see, Sir, that to do what this young lady wishes would mean
ruining one of our houses to ensure abundance to the other house.
My very dear brother, may I, Sir, so call you? When writing to you, I
have often thought of doing so because of my sisterly confidence in, and
affection for you, and because of the obligations under which you have
placed me. This I say simply and frankly, though perhaps somewhat
unconventionally. Allow me Sir, my very dear brother, to tell you that
the property is not ours to divide. As Madame du Tertre no longer wishes
to adhere to her first resolve, she may be at liberty to take back what
she has given, but I do not know what justice would have to say on this
point. Still, putting justice aside, the Bishop of Geneva would surely
not approve of our retaining one _teston_[B] that was not freely given.
Oh! of that there is no doubt. But as she has entered amongst us, and as
our house of Moulins is satisfied with the twenty thousand francs she
brings, acknowledging that this sum is quite sufficient to provide the
young lady with all she requires, and as the affair concerns our own
houses, is it not better to follow the advice of his Lordship of Geneva
and share the ten thousand crowns between the two houses? or at least
leave ten thousand francs to Nevers, so that that house may not be
ruined. It was upon the assurance of this from our Moulins sisters that
those of Nevers decided to go to that town. Before God, how can we
possibly put into the power of the Bishop of Nevers such a favourable
pretext for sending the sisters away? Oh! can you not see, my very dear
brother, how shameful it would be, and how prejudicial to the service of
God? Although the houses are ours, and we have the principal interest in
them, the agreement has been more to the advantage of this dear young
lady than to us. For with her twenty thousand francs she possesses at
Moulins all the privileges she could hope for were it fifty thousand,
and besides, when there is just reason, in virtue of her title of
benefactress, she is free to pass on to Nevers and there enjoy the same
rights as are conferred on her at Moulins. This, in my opinion, is a
very just arrangement and I most humbly beg of you to induce her to
accept it. Use your influence with her, I beseech of you, for the honour
and glory of God and of His Blessed Mother, and also for the love you
bear our little Institute. Madame du Tertre desired to know the wishes
of the Bishop of Geneva, and he has acceded to her request. Let her then
accommodate herself to his views and live in peace. I appeal to you in
the name of God, for I see no other way of settling this affair, and I
own candidly that I can obtain nothing more from his Lordship of Nevers,
who holds out for the full sum and writes about it in a very
matter-of-fact way. I answer as God directs me, resolved through His
grace to place all in His hands and to remain in peace and submission to
whatever divine Providence ordains.
I beg of our Sisters of Moulins to do whatever justice demands. Oh! what
a shame it would be to see our houses sueing one another! A thousand
times rather would I prefer to see them overwhelmed with reproaches and
poverty than that this should ever happen. If, dearest brother, after
all these humble petitions and arguments, Madame du Tertre and our
Sisters of Moulins wish to act against those of Nevers she must do as
she pleases; but we shall neither blame them nor defend ourselves, for
to do so would not be the will of God, and under these circumstances I
am persuaded it would be better for one or other entirely to surrender
its claim. Such, too, is the opinion of his Lordship of Geneva.
Oblige me by telling our Sister, the Superior of Moulins, that I have
already written to her, as by accident she may not have yet received my
letter. This, that I now write to you, will also serve for good Madame
du Tertre, it being all I am able for, as I have a slight indisposition
which is becoming habitual with me. I have no other wish than that she
should be treated sweetly and cordially with all affection as she
certainly merits. But, I assure you, Nevers was entirely her own free
choice: I have ample evidence of this in her letters. God only knows all
that has passed on this subject. Our poor Sister Superior may have
appeared somewhat inflexible and shown how much she felt this rupture.
But, dearest brother, in consideration for her position we must throw
over this fault of weakness or surprise, the mantle of holy charity,
that mantle which bears with all, excuses all, and hides all the defects
of her children. These last lines are in confidence for your own ear
only, your goodness and piety encouraging me to confide in you. I
beseech of you in conclusion to use all the influence at your command in
favour of peace and charity. Believe me, I am truly indifferent to
everything except the glory of God.
I remain, Sir, very dear brother, with much affection,
Your humble and obliged
Sister and servant in Our Lord.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] The Little Office of Our Lady.
[B] An old French coin.
XLV. _To St. Francis de Sales._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS,
_August, 1621._
Pray much, my incomparable Father, for the Archbishop of Bourges,[A] and
ask our Sisters to pray for him. What is this storm after all in
comparison with the sufferings of Our Lord in His Passion? I beseech His
divine Majesty, to which I have consecrated myself, to let my brother's
part in this affair serve entirely for His glory, and I doubt not but
that it will be so. The doctor was thunderstruck when they told him that
Mgr. of Bourges had been removed and M. N. given the Archbishopric. He
speaks of nothing but the universal affection of the people of Bourges
for our good Archbishop, who feels this blow though he has taken it in
his usual good-natured way. You who know him can understand how
detrimental the change will be to the poor and to the religious Houses,
to both of whom he has been such a benefactor. Our Sisters will not be
the least sufferers, for he loved them much and was extremely good to
them. A word from you would be an immense consolation to him.
May the sweet Jesus fill your heart with His most pure love, and may we
eternally repose in Him. Amen.
FOOTNOTE:
[A] The Archbishop of Bourges, being one of those who discovered the
ambitious conspiracy hatched by Condé, Governor of Berry, for which he
was arrested in September, 1616, became, upon that Prince's release
several years later, the object of his special vengeance. He obliged
Mgr. Frémyot to resign his Archiepiscopal See, assigning him in
compensation the abbeys of Ferrières, and Breteuil, and also the priory
of Nogent-le-Rotrou.
XLVI. _To Madame de la Fléchère._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS, 1621.
Madame, I pray that God may always be your strength, your love, and your
hope, for in my littleness I have an incomparable affection for you. Eh!
but your letters, dear, best of sisters, console me, and yet I truly
feel with you who bear the burden of sharp and hidden sorrows. But after
all, how happy we should be to suffer such things with only the eye of
God to look upon them. Truly our crosses ought greatly to raise our
courage, seeing that by them we attain to a union all secret with our
sweet Master, the greatness of whose sufferings nor men nor angels can
ever conceive. Take comfort in this thought when pain is at its height.
Still, you ought not to conceal your pain from our _Blessed Father_ (but
I think you do not).
We can, it seems to me, so name him, as there is a worthy ecclesiastic
here who calls him _the true Father_. I am sure, dearest sister, that
each day he strives after a higher perfection. Happy they who have the
example of his rare virtues before them, but far happier they who
imitate them! God grant us the grace to be of this number, and may my
weakness not hold me back. I shall be satisfied if I follow him a
hundred steps behind. I am very glad that your sister has the comfort of
staying with you and that your son is good. May God give him the grace
to persevere, and may he root all vanity out of your daughter's heart.
Mine is very extravagant. It is well that she has found such a good and
prudent husband. When I see her I do my best to make her sensible and to
show her her mistake. I recommend her to your prayers. My son is also
most extravagant, but otherwise he is brave, loveable, and esteemed at
court, where the King has given him a very honourable post for one so
young. But all this is vanity. I value more your remembrance of him
before God than all these dignities. He is always here, I mean with the
court, or in his garrison. I trust to the prayers of our Blessed Father
to save these children's souls, and that is all I care about.
Adieu, dearest Sister.
XLVII. _To the Countess de Toulonjon._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS, 1621.
MY DEAREST DAUGHTER,
The dress I am sending you is really quite perfect and is the most
beautiful that can be procured. If your brother were very rich it would
be a pleasure to him to pay the bill for you, but as it is he begs of
you to be satisfied with his good-will, for he has not wherewith to pay
it. Be content with this dress, for it is handsome and quite
sufficiently stylish, and because you so long for it I want to satisfy
you. M. de Toulonjon writes that you have not a single gown except the
one you are wearing. I cannot understand this, as during the last
seventeen months you have had four silk dresses and the brocade costume
about which you told me. What then am I to think, I pray you, dear
Françoise? Oh! God bless you, my daughter; do be content and let it be
seen that you are the child of parents who were altogether reasonable,
peaceful, and constant in their perfect affection, and this it is that I
desire for you.
I write in haste. A thousand salutations to all your dear relatives. Do
not expect your brother: he cannot go to you, and I do not wish him to.
You have my nephew. Courage, my child, be not a silly, frivolous girl,
troubling over trifles, and letting them take up your thoughts. Urge M.
de Toulonjon to send me the money for the dress. The amount of the bill
is, I understand, 500 livres, and I have not got the money to pay it, so
let me have it by the first opportunity, as I do not wish to remain in
debt here.
God bless you, dearest Françon. I am in a great hurry.
XLVIII. _To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Montferrand._
Vive [+] Jésus!
DIJON,
_May, 1622._
MY DEAREST DAUGHTER,