[_Lat. copy_--_Library of Gotha._ Vol. 404.]
CXLI.--To Monsieur de Falais.
Report of the near arrival of M. de Falais at Geneva--details
relative to the acquiring of a house in that town.
GENEVA, _5th August 1545_.
MONSEIGNEUR,--I thank our gracious God in that he has rejoiced our
hearts with the good news of the restoration of your health, without
permitting us to be made sorrowful by a knowledge of your illness.
If we had been informed of it in time, we would have offered up
our prayers to him as in duty bound. But since he has cared for
you so well without your having required our aid, we have double
cause to thank him. The joy, too, is increased by learning that
this visitation has been almost like a medicine in rendering you
more robust than before. However that may be, since we have a God
who can in a moment, and without difficulty, call his own from the
tomb, he can also, surely, lead them to the very brink of the grave
without permitting them to fall into it, till the time has come.
Had I leisure to write to Madame, I would tell her that her letters
have taught me that it is well to read to the end before judging;
for I had allowed myself to be surprised in the second line, in
which she informed me of the danger in which you had been, although
her prudent consideration helped me to restrain my feelings, so that
in truth, I may say, that I was singularly comforted before I had
time to be grieved.
As to the matter to which you referred in your letter, your
intention of coming hither has not been divulged by us. But rumour
flies, and we know not whence, or how it comes, unless the wind
carry it. When they speak to me on the subject, I let their words
pass, without being at the pains to contradict them. There came a
traveller from Strasbourg who spoke as if he knew your intentions. I
therefore thought that it would be lost labour to deny it, but that
the best way was to let every one think as he pleased. Some one came
to me and told me that a gentleman named so and so, who had retired
to Strasbourg, &c., &c., as if he knew much more about you than I
did. When he asked things which were known to all, as it would have
been barefaced to affect ignorance of them, I assented so far as was
necessary. In this way we shall practise reservation in so far as
we shall see it to be profitable. Meanwhile, lay your account with
this, that people will prattle about your affairs in your absence
without having commission from you.
With respect to the house, Monsieur Nicolas and I shall do what we
promised. There is only one difficulty, namely, what is to be done
if the owners fix the price, not above its proper value, but above
what he is willing to give? We consider that they might reasonably
ask two thousand five hundred crowns. Nicolas is unwilling to go
beyond two thousand two hundred, or thereabouts;--not because he
thinks the property worth no more, but because his purse will not
admit of his giving more. This difficulty already perplexes us. If
that place should not suit, there is another under consideration,
full two leagues distant. I fear it is too far away, for it is a
great convenience to be near the town, and the place I refer to is
pretty near the lake. In short, if it were a rational desire, I
should wish that some one here lent you his eyes, lest through delay
good opportunities escape us.
I understand from your letters what it is that detains you, but I
am persuaded the difficulty will now be removed. When I consider
everything, my desire is, that, at your very first arrival, you
should be well lodged, and your affairs all well arranged. But in
your absence it is extremely difficult to purchase a place for you.
Lodgings can be easily hired in the town; but the more important
matter [of a settled dwelling] cannot be satisfactorily arranged
without your personal presence. For our pleasure may not be yours.
May it please God that you may be here in time to take advantage of
the opportunity while it lasts. I expect, however, that if we do not
succeed in one case, we shall fall back upon another.
I fear to retard your setting out, if I tell you that our Lord
afflicts us somewhat with a pestilence.[511] But I think it better
to inform you of it in good time, that you may come with confidence,
than to allow you to be taken by surprise. Of other things you have
no doubt been duly informed, for I begged Maldonad[512].and Saint
André[513] not to withhold anything; although, indeed, you yourself
know what it is important to attend to better than all our warnings
and admonitions can instruct you. Since we seek Jesus Christ, we
must expect to find him crucified afresh wherever we go in this
world. I hope, however, that our kind Father will give you as much
repose here as will be needful for your health of body. We shall
expect some definite information from you by the earliest messenger,
and important directions what we are to do.
[511] It ceased to ravage Geneva only in 1546.
[512] A gentleman of Hanover, a refugee at Geneva.
[513] Another refugee, from Besançon. He was admitted to the
ministry in the following year.
And now, Monseigneur, humbly commending myself to your favour and
to that of Madame, and presenting to you both the respects of my
wife, I shall supplicate our gracious God to keep you under his
protection, guiding you always by his Spirit, and sending what he
knows to be for your welfare. Your servant, humble brother, and
sincere friend,