nt) way. I have now
come far enough to meet you on a common ground of fact; and I tell you
that, to a mind not prejudiced by jealousy, all the reforms of the
lazaretto, and even those which he most vigorously opposed, are properly
the work of Damien. They are the evidence of his success; they are what
his heroism provoked from the reluctant and the careless. Many were
before him in the field; Mr. Meyer, for instance, of whose faithful work
we hear too little: there have been many since; and some had more
worldly wisdom, though none had more devotion, than our saint. Before
his day, even you will confess, they had effected little. It was his
part, by one striking act of martyrdom, to direct all men's eyes on that
distressful country. At a blow, and with the price of his life, he made
the place illustrious and public. And that, if you will consider
largely, was the one reform needful; pregnant of all that should
succeed. It brought money; it brought (best individual addition of them
all) the sisters; it brought supervision, for public opinion and public
interest landed with the man at Kalawao. If ever any man brought
reforms, and died to bring them, it was he. There is not a clean cup or
towel in the Bishop-Home, but dirty Damien washed it.

Damien _was not a pure man in his relations with women, etc_.

How do you know that? Is this the nature of the conversation in that
house on Beretania Street which the cabman envied, driving past?--racy
details of the misconduct of the poor peasant priest, toiling under the
cliffs of Molokai?

Many have visited the station before me; they seem not to have heard the
rumour. When I was there I heard many shocking tales, for my informants
were men speaking with the plainness of the laity; and I heard plenty of
complaints of Damien. Why was this never mentioned? and how came it to
you in the retirement of your clerical parlour?

But I must not even seem to deceive you. This scandal, when I read it in
your letter, was not new to me. I had heard it once before; and I must
tell you how. There came to Samoa a man from Honolulu; he in a
public-house on the beach volunteered the statement that Damien had
"contracted the disease from having connection with the female lepers";
and I find a joy in telling you how the report was welcomed in a
public-house. A man sprang to his feet; I am not at liberty to give his
name, but from what I heard I doubt if you would care to have him to
dinner in B