rs in the processions. As a child my voice was much admired; and
after the service was over, I often received presents of sweetmeats from
the ladies, who brought them in their pockets for the little Anselmo. As
I grew up, I became a remarkable proficient in music; at the age of
twenty, I possessed a fine counter-tenor; and flattered by the
solicitations of the superior of the convent and other dignitaries of
the church, I consented to take the vows, and became a member of the
fraternity.

Although there was no want of liberty in our convent, I was permitted
even more than the rest of the monks. I gave lessons in music and
singing, and a portion of my earnings were placed in the superior's
hands for the benefit of the fraternity. Independent of this, my
reputation was spread all over Seville; and hundreds used to attend the
mass performed in our church, that they might hear the voice of brother
Anselmo. I was therefore considered as a valuable property, and the
convent would have suffered a great deal by my quitting it. Although I
could not be released from my vows, still I could by application have
been transferred to Madrid; and the superior, aware of this
circumstance, allowed me every indulgence, with the hopes of my being
persuaded to remain. The money which I retained for my own exigencies
enabled me to make friends with the porter, and I obtained egress or
ingress at any hour. I was a proficient on the guitar; and incongruous
as it may appear with my monastic vows, I often hastened from the
service at vespers to perform in a serenade to some fair senora, whose
_inamorato_ required the powers of my voice to soften her to his wishes.

My sedillas and canzonettas were much admired; and eventually no
serenade was considered as effective, without the assistance of the
counter-tenor of Anselmo. I hardly need observe that it was very
profitable; and that I had the means of supplying myself with luxuries
which the rules of our order did not admit. I soon became irregular and
debauched; often sitting up whole nights with the young cavaliers,
drinking and singing amorous songs for their amusement. Still, however,
my conduct was not known, or was overlooked for the reasons which I have
stated before.

When once a man indulges to excess in wine, he is assailed by, and
becomes an easy prey to every other vice. This error soon led me into
others; and, regardless of my monastic vows, I often felt more inclined
to serenade upo