Particulars regarding his departure, and the purchase of a
property near Geneva.
_This last day but one of February 1548._
MONSEIGNEUR,--According to our agreement, the coming of Sire Nicolas
Loser will afford you a good opportunity for making the journey, if
your health admits of it.[188] He ought to go as far as Strasbourg;
but in order that you may not be delayed, I have somewhat hastened
his departure. To those who make inquiry of me, I reply, that
already you are wishing to be here; but that whether you shall come
or no, will be seen in due time.
[188] In the journey which he had recently made to Bâle, Calvin had
decided M. de Falais to come and fix himself definitively at Geneva.
Regarding the payment, which you have hinted to me, I believe
that you will be disposed to grant it. We shall speak about that,
however, when you are on the spot. The minister of the village[189]
is a good sort of a man. But it will be for yourself to decide when
you shall have arrived. Meantime we shall look about, here and
there, that you may choose what best pleases you. I shall take care
of the two receipts until your arrival.
[189] Veigy, near Geneva. M. de Falais made there the purchase of a
domain which he occupied during several years.
To conclude, Monsieur, having commended me humbly to your kind
favour, I beseech our good Lord to uphold you always in his keeping,
to lead you by his Spirit, and to aid you in all and throughout.
We pray you, my wife and myself, to present also our humble
commendations to Madame, not forgetting Mademoiselle de Brédan.
Your servant, humble brother, and sincere friend,
JOHN CALVIN.
* * * * *
I thought, indeed, that Sire Nicolas Loser would have left, and
that he was to be my messenger, but this will not be for five or
six days yet; and to avoid delay I have thought it well to send the
present by M. Brevassis.
[_Fr. orig. autogr._--_Library of Geneva._ Vol. 194.]