perfect structure, alike in
plan and execution, than Notre Dame or Strasbourg Cathedral, with its
uplifting points and spiritual sublimity. He was a Christianized Greek,
who had exchanged the philosopher's robe for the archbishop's surplice.

Viewing him now on the whole, considering at once his gifts and graces of
mind, and heart, and will; his offerings upon the altar of learning,
humanity and religion, we sum up our judgment in a single saying. He
worshipped God in the _beauty_ of holiness. His whole being, with all its
graces and powers so harmoniously combined, was an offering to God that
men cannot but admire and the Most High will not despise.

We may not take leave of Fenelon without applying to our times the
teachings of his spirit, the lesson of his life. However rich the topic in
occasion for controversial argument, we defer all strife to the
inspiration of his gentle and loving wisdom. Let an incident connected
with the tomb of Fenelon furnish us an emblem of the spirit in which we
shall look upon his name. His remains were deposited in the vault beneath
the main altar at which he had so often ministered. It would seem as if
some guardian-angel shielded them from desecration. Eighty years passed
and the Reign of Terror came upon France in retribution for her falsity to
her best advisers. The allied armies were marshalling their hosts against
the new republic. Every means must be used to add to the public resources,
and the decree went forth that even the tombs should be robbed of their
coffins. The republican administrator of the District of Cambray, Bernard
Cannonne, in company with a butcher and two artillery-men, entered the
cathedral and went down into the vault which held the ashes of so many
prelates. The leaden coffins with their contents were carried away and
placed upon the cars; but when they came to the inclosure whose tablet
bore the name of Fenelon, and lifted it from its bed, it appeared that the
lead had become unsoldered and they could take away the coffin and leave
the sacred dust it had contained. Years passed, and the reign of Napoleon
bringing a better day, rebuked the Vandalism that would dishonor all
greatness and spoil even its grave. The facts regarding the acts of
desecration were legally ascertained and the bones of the good archbishop
triumphantly reserved for a nobler than the ancient sepulchre. There was a
poetical justice in the preservation of them from violence. It was well
t