on that doubts from the
habit of doubting of virtue, but by the spirit of his whole life. That
life, from beginning to end, was an example of the virtue commended by our
Lord in his charge to his apostles. Sent forth like a lamb in the midst of
wolves, he blended the wisdom of the serpent with the gentleness of the
dove. Whatever failings he may have had he conquered. His course was ever
onward to the mark whither he deemed himself called of God.

We probably have often felt, on reading Fenelon, as if his sweetness of
temper were sometimes at the expense of his manliness, and we could easily
spare some of his honeyed words for an occasional flow of hearty, even if
bitter, indignation. To his credit, however, be it said, that with him
gentle speech was often but the smooth edge of faithful counsel most
resolutely pointed and sharpened at the consciences of the great whom
rudeness would offend and inelegance disgust. Recent discoveries have
given ample proof of his unflinching boldness to the French Court. During
his banishment (1694-97) he wrote that masterly and fearless letter to
Louis XIV., which was not discovered until 1825, and which the most
earnest of his eulogists, not even Channing, we believe, seems to have
noted. Than these intrepid words, Christian heroism cannot further go.

Would that there were time to speak of his works in their various
departments, especially those in the departments of education, social
morals, and religion.

No name stands above his among the leaders in the great cause of
education. None surpass him in the power with which he defended the mind
of woman from the impoverishing and distorting systems prevalent in his
day, and by his example and pen taught parents to educate their daughters
in a manner that should rebuke vanity and deceit, and blend grace with
utility. None went before him in knowledge of the art of taming obstinate
boyhood into tenderness, and with all modern improvements our best
teachers may find in his works a mine of knowledge and incentive both in
their tasks of instruction and discipline.

In social morals he was a great reformer; not, indeed, so remarkable for
being engrossed with some favorite innovation, as for urging the constant
need of applying Christian truth and duty to every social institution. He
rebuked the passion for war, by his own demeanor disarmed the hostility of
combatants, and by his instructions struck at the root of warfare in the
councils o