on her side having obtained it in gift from King Thibald,
the first of that name, in recompence of those signal services which they
had performed for the crown. 'Tis from thence they took the name of
Xavier, in lieu of Asnarez, which was the former name of their family.
This surname was conferred on Francis, as also on some of the rest of
his brothers, lest so glorious a name, now remaining in one only woman,
should be totally extinguished with her.

That Providence, which had selected Francis for the conversion of such
multitudes of people, endued him with all the natural qualities which are
requisite to the function of an apostle. He was of a strong habit of
body, his complexion lively and vigorous, his genius sublime and capable
of the greatest designs, his heart fearless, agreeable in his behaviour,
but above all, he was of a gay, complying, and winning humour: this
notwithstanding, he had a most extreme aversion for all manner of
immodesty, and a vast inclination for his studies.

His parents, who lived a most Christian life, inspired him with the fear
of God from his infancy, and took a particular care of his education. He
was no sooner arrived to an age capable of instruction, than, instead of
embracing the profession of arms, after the example of his brothers, he
turned himself, of his own motion, on the side of learning; and, as he
had a quick conception, a happy memory, and a penetrating mind, he
advanced wonderfully in few years.

Having gained a sufficient knowledge in the Latin tongue, and discovered
a great propensity to learning, he was sent to the university of Paris,
the most celebrated of all Europe, and to which the gentlemen of Spain,
Italy, and Germany, resorted for their studies.

He came to Paris in the eighteenth year of his age, and fell immediately
on the study of philosophy. 'Tis scarcely credible with how much ardour
he surmounted the first difficulties of logic. Whatsoever his
inclinations were towards a knowledge so crabbed and so subtle, he tugged
at it with incessant pains, to be at the head of all his fellow students;
and perhaps never any scholar besides himself could join together so much
ease, and so much labour.

Xavier minded nothing more, than how to become an excellent philosopher,
when his father, who had a numerous family of children, and who was one
of those men of quality, whose fortunes are not equal to their birth, was
thinking to remove him from his studies, after havi