on a platform, who was angrily superintending
this Christian charity. He looked as if he would like rather to
exterminate his fellow-creatures than aid them to live; he was
just bullying a poor French vagabond who implored his aid. When
he suddenly saw the noble face of Gretry he approached the
young musician.--'It is curiosity which brings you here,' he
remarked with vexation.--'It is true,' said Gretry, bowing;
'the beauty of your monastery, the sublimity of the scenery,
and the desire of contemplating the asylum where the
unfortunate traveller is received with so much humanity, have
drawn us from our route. In beholding you, I have seen the
angel of mercy. All the victims of sorrow should bless your
edifying gentleness. Tell me, father, do you make as many happy
every day as I have just witnessed?'

"The monk, irritated by this bantering, begged Gretry to return
whence he came.--'Father,' retorted Gretry, 'have the
evangelists taught you this mode of bestowing alms, giving with
one hand and striking with the other?'--A low murmur was heard
through the hall; the monk not knowing what to say, complained
of the toothache; the cunning student lost no time, but running
up to him with an air of touching compassion, 'I am a surgeon,'
he said, as he forced him down on the bench. The monk tried to
push him off, but he held on well. 'It is Heaven which has
directed me to you, father.' Willing or not, the monk had to
open his mouth. 'Courage, father, the great saints were all
martyrs! the Saviour was crucified; and you may at least let me
pull out a tooth.' The monk struggled: 'Never, never!' he
exclaimed. The student turned with great coolness toward the
bystanders, who were all laughing in their sleeves. 'My
friends,' (he addressed crippled travellers, mountain-brigands,
and poor people of every class,) 'my friends, for the love of
God, who suffered, come and hold this good father: I do not
want him to suffer any longer!'

"The beggars understood the joke; four of them separated from
the group, and came to the surgeon's aid. The monk struggled
furiously, but it was no use to kick and scream; he had to
submit, Gretry was not the last to come to his friend's aid;
the malicious student seized the first tooth he got hold of,
and wrenched th