s our institute, of which so many reports are now raised, I
have but one word, at present, to say of it. 'Tis of little consequence,
illustrious doctor, to be judged by men, especially by such, who will
needs be judging before they understand the matter, and know the merits
of the cause."

As to his intention of going to the Indies, he desired him to think no
farther of it; for thus Navarre relates that passage in his manual: "I
had resolved to have ended my days in those parts, if Xavier, in
consideration of my great age, had not thought me incapable of those
labours which attend his mission: and if he had not written to me at his
departure, that I should comfort myself for his absence, by the hope of
seeing each other in the celestial kingdom."

Our two missioners laboured not in vain at Lisbon. From the very
beginning of their ministry, devotion began to spread amongst the people.
All men ran to the blessed sacrament, which before was never thought on
but in Lent: and this holy custom diffused itself insensibly through all
the towns of Portugal Many, who had deferred their conversion from time
to time, now on the sudden gave themselves up to God, and even renounced
the world. The most inveterate enemies were sincerely reconciled, and the
most impudent harlots abandoned their prostitute way of living.

But this change of manners was most particularly apparent at the court:
the king, who was truly religious, and full of goodness, was the first
to declare himself against those vices which usually infect the palaces
of princes. And that he might introduce a reformation by degrees, not
only into his house, bat also dilate it through his whole kingdom, he
obliged all the young courtiers to confess themselves once a week; for he
said, "That if the lords and gentlemen would accustom themselves, from
their tender years, to the service and fear of God, they would live with
greater Christianity in their riper age: and if persons of quality came
once to give good examples of religion, the commonalty, who form
themselves according to their model, would not fail to regulate their
manners; and therefore the reformation of all degrees in the kingdom
consisted chiefly in the virtuous education of young noblemen."

The example of the prince and the young courtiers drew the rest; and
thereupon Xavier writes to Ignatius in these terms:

"Nothing can be more regular than the court of Portugal: it resembles
rather a religious society,