each always, or in all places, he writ
many instructions relating to faith and to good manners, some more ample,
and others more brief, but all in the languages of the converted nations;
and it was by these instructions, in writing, that the children learned
to read. The saint also composed devout hymns, and set the Lord's Prayer
in musical numbers, to be sung, together with the Angelical Salutation,
and the Apostles' Creed. By these means he banished those ribald songs
and ballads, which the new Christians were accustomed to sing before they
had received baptism; for those of Xavier were so pleasing, to men,
women, and children, that they sung them day and night, both in their
houses, and in the open fields.

But amongst all the means which the Father used for the conversion of
Infidels, the most efficacious was this: So soon as he entered into a
country of Idolaters, he endeavoured to gain to God those persons who
were the most considerable, either for their dignity, or by their birth,
and especially the sovereign; not only because the honour of Jesus Christ
requires, that crowned-heads should be subject to him, but also, that, by
the conversion of princes, the people are converted. So much authority
there resides in the example of a monarch, over his subjects, in every
nation of the world.

He was of easy conversation to all sorts of persons, but more familiar
with the greatest sinners, not seeming to understand that they were
keepers of mistresses, blasphemers, or sacrilegious persons. He was
particularly free in his converse with soldiers, who are greater
libertines, and more debauched, in the Indies than elsewhere; for, that
they might the less suspect him, he kept them company; and because
sometimes, when they saw him coming, they hid their cards and dice, he
told them, "They were not of the clergy, neither could they continue
praying all the day; that cheating, quarrelling, and swearing, were
forbid to gamesters, but that play was not forbidden to a soldier."
Sometimes he played at chess himself, out of compliance, when they whom
he studied to withdraw from vice were lovers of that game; and a
Portuguese gentleman, whose name was Don Diego Norogna, had once a very
ill opinion of him for it. This cavalier, who had heard a report of
Xavier, that he was a saint-like man, and desired much to have a sight of
him, happened to be aboard of the same galley. Not knowing his person, he
enquired which was he, but was much