affairs, which I spoke of in a more particular manner than of your ill
health, though the latter is the only thing you take notice of? I also
expressed my dissatisfaction with your whole conduct and mode of life
for some years past. But of this you are wholly silent, though I
strongly insisted upon it.

"From these things I judge that my fatherly exhortations make no
impression upon you. For this reason I have determined to write this
letter to you, and it shall be the last.

"I don't find that you make any acknowledgment of the obligation you
owe to your father who gave you life. Have you assisted him, since you
came to maturity of years, in his labors and pains? No, certainly.
The world knows that you have not. On the other hand, you blame and
abhor whatever of good I have been able to do at the expense of my
health, for the love I have borne to my people, and for their
advantage, and I have all imaginable reason to believe that you will
destroy it all in case you should survive me.

"I can not let you continue in this way. Either change your conduct,
and labor to make yourself worthy of the succession, or else take upon
you the monastic vow. I can not rest satisfied with your present
behavior, especially as I find that my health is declining. As soon,
therefore, as you shall have received this my letter, let me have your
answer in writing, or give it to me yourself in person. If you do not,
I shall at once proceed against you as a malefactor.--(Signed) PETER."

To this communication Alexis the next day returned the following reply:

"MOST CLEMENT LORD AND FATHER,--

"I received yesterday in the morning your letter of the 19th of this
month. My indisposition will not allow me to write a long answer. I
shall enter upon a monastic life, and beg your gracious consent for so
doing.

"Your most humble servant and son,

"ALEXIS."

There is no doubt that there was some good ground for the complaints
which Alexis made with respect to his health. His original
constitution was not vigorous, and he had greatly impaired both his
mental and physical powers by his vicious indulgences. Still, his
excusing himself so much on this ground was chiefly a pretense, his
object being to gain time, and prevent his father from coming to any
positive decision, in order that he might continue his life of
indolence and vice a little longer undisturbed. Indeed, it was said
that the incapacity to attend to the stu