[17] Francis Daniel, advocate of Orleans, the fellow-student and
friend of Calvin at the university of that town. ("Quant à Orléans,
dit Th. de Bèze, il y avoit bien desjà quelques personnages, aians
connoissance de la vérité, comme entr' autres François Daniel,
advocat, et Nicolas Duchemin, tenant escholiers en pension."--Hist.
Eccl. i. 9.) From several letters of the Reformer it appears,
(1559-1560,) that while fully acknowledging the necessity of a
reformation of the Church, Francis Daniel remained inwardly attached
to Rome. His two sons, Francis and Peter Daniel, distinguished
themselves in the study of law and literature.
Calvin in Paris--Nicolas Cop--the two friends visit a monastery.
PARIS, _27th June 1529_.
Tired with the journey, the day after our drive hither we could not
stir a foot out of doors. For the next four days, while I still felt
unable to move about, the whole of that time wore away in friendly
salutations. On the Lord's day, I repaired to the monastery with
Cop,[18] who had consented to accompany me, that according to your
advice, I might fix a day with the nuns on which your sister should
take the vows. I was told, in reply to my inquiry, that, along with
some others of her own rank, she had obtained from the sisterhood,
in conformity with approved usage, (ex solemni more,) the power of
taking upon herself the vows. The daughter of a certain banker of
Orleans, who is master of arts to your brother, is of the number.
While Cop was in the meanwhile engaged in conversation with the
abbess, I sounded the inclination of your sister, whether she would
take that yoke patiently,--whether she was not rather wearied and
drilled into submission, than submitting her neck willingly to the
harness. I urged her again and again freely to entrust me with
whatever she might have upon her mind. Never have I seen any one
more prompt or readier in reply, so that it could not come soon
enough to satisfy her wishes. You would almost think she was playing
with her doll as oft as she heard speak of the vow. I did not wish
to withdraw her from her purpose, because I had not come with that
object. But, in few words, I admonished her not to rely too much on
her own resolutions, that she ought not to make rash promises as to
herself, but rather that she would rest upon the strength of God for
all needed help,--in whom we live and have our being.
[18] Nicolas Cop, the physician, professor in the College of Sainte
Barbe, and friend of Calvin. In 1533 he became rector of the
University of Paris.
While we were thus engaged in conversation, the abbess gave me an
opportunity of speaking with her, and when I proposed that she would
fix a day, she left the choice to myself, but on condition that
Pylades[19] should be present, who will be at Orleans within eight
days. So, as the day could not be fixed more certainly, we left it
to Pylades to decide. Do you, therefore, settle with him as shall
seem convenient, since I can be of no further service to you here.
[19] Pseudonyme, adopted by some unknown friend of Calvin.
Concerning my own affairs;--as yet I have not fixed upon a lodging,
although there were many to be had if I had wished to hire, and
also offered by friends, had I been willing to take advantage of
the use of them. The father of our friend Coiffart offered his own
house to me, with that kindness that you would have said there was
nothing he desired rather than that I should take up my abode with
his son. Coiffart himself, also, with many entreaties, and those
not any way cold or distant, insisted often that he might have me
for companion and comrade; nothing would I have rather embraced
with outstretched arms than this invitation on the part of my
friend, whose acquaintance how pleasing and profitable it is to me,
yourself can testify, and which I would immediately have accepted
had I not intended this year to attend Danès,[20] whose school is
situated at a great distance from Coiffart's house. All friends who
are here desire to be remembered to you, especially Coiffart and
Viermey, with whom I am about to ride out on horseback. Greet your
mother, your wife, and your sister Francisca. Adieu. I have begun
a letter to the canon, which I shall finish on my return. If any
inconvenience is occasioned by the delay I will make up for it.
[_Lat. copy_--_Library of Berne._ Vol. 450.]
[20] P. Danesius. P. Danès, the scholar of Lascaris and of Budé, the
learned Professor of Greek at the University of Paris.