the kindness
thy Father did me when I was in bonds; because he sent me a cup
of the very wine his master had been drinking, and bade me be
comforted in God."'

'To Magister Walter, son of Magister William de Dice, who wanted
the vicarage of Chevington, he answered: "Thy Father was Master
of the Schools; and when I was an indigent _clericus,_ he
granted me freely and in charity an entrance to his School, and
opportunity of learning; wherefore I now, for the sake of God,
grant to thee what thou askest."' Or lastly, take this good
instance,--and a glimpse, along with it, into long-obsolete
times: 'Two _Milites_ of Risby, Willelm and Norman, being
adjudged in Court to come under his mercy, _in misericordia
ejus,'_ for a certain very considerable fine of twenty shillings,
'he thus addressed them publicly on the spot: "When I was a
Cloister-monk, I was once sent to Durham on business of our
Church; and coming home again, the dark night caught me at
Risby, and I had to beg a lodging there. I went to Dominus
Norman's, and he gave me a flat refusal. Going then to Dominus
Willelm's, and begging hospitality, I was by him honourably
received. The twenty shillings therefore of _mercy,_ I, without
mercy, will exact from Dominus Norman; to Dominus Willelm, on
the other hand, I, with thanks, will wholly remit the said sum."'
Men know not always to whom they refuse lodgings; men have
lodged Angels unawares!--

It is clear Abbot Samson had a talent; he had learned to judge
better than Lawyers, to manage better than bred Bailiffs:--a
talent shining out indisputable, on whatever side you took him.
'An eloquent man he was,' says Jocelin, 'both in French and
Latin; but intent more on the substance and method of what was
to be said, than on the ornamental way of saying it. He could
read English Manuscripts very elegantly, _elegantissime:_ he was
wont to preach to the people in the English tongue, though
according to the dialect of Norfolk, where he had been brought
up; wherefore indeed he had caused a Pulpit to be erected in our
Church both for ornament of the same, and for the use of his
audiences.' There preached he, according to the dialect of
Norfolk: a man worth going to hear.

That he was a just clear-hearted man, this, as the basis of all
true talent, is presupposed. How can a man, without clear vision
in his heart first of all, have any clear vision in the head? It
is impossible! Abbot Samson was one o