earth has for ever dignified Poverty in the
eyes of His true followers.'

"And you have spelt 'his' with a capital 'H'--when you know my
dislike of that practice!"

Poor Mr. Simeon was certainly not in luck to-day. The truth is that,
frightened by the prospect of yet another addition to his family
(this would be his seventh child), he had hired out his needy pen to
one of the Canons Residentiary of Merchester, who insisted on using
capitals upon all parts of speech referring, however remotely, to
either of the Divine Persons. The Master, who despised Canon Tarbolt
for a vulgar pulpiteer, and barely nodded to him in the street, was
not likely to get wind of this mercenage; but if ever he did, there
would be trouble. As it was, the serving of two masters afflicted
Mr. Simeon's conscience while it distracted his pen.

"I will make another fair copy," he suggested.

"I fear you must. Would you mind drawing back that curtain?
My eyes are troublesome this afternoon. Thank you."--

'Nevertheless it was well done of the great churchman to declare
his belief that the poor, as poor, are not only blessed--as Our
Lord expressly says--but noble, as Our Lord implicitly taught.
Nay, the suggestion is not perhaps far-fetched that, as Cardinal
Beauchamp had great possessions, he took this occasion to
testify how in his heart he slighted them. Or again--for
history seems to prove that he was not an entirely scrupulous
man, nor entirely untainted by self-seeking--that his tribute to
Noble Poverty may have been the assertion, by a spirit netted
among the briars of this world's policy, that at least it saw
and suspired after the way to Heaven. _Video meliora,
proboque_--

"O limed soul, that struggling to be free
Art more engaged!"

'But he is with God: and while we conjecture, God knows.

'Lest, however, you should doubt that the finer spirits of this
world have found Poverty not merely endurable but essentially
noble, let me recall to you an anecdote of Saint Francis of
Assisi. It is related that, travelling towards France with a
companion, Brother Masseo, he one day entered a town
wherethrough they both begged their way, as their custom was,
taking separate streets. Meeting again on the other side of the
town, they spread out their alms on a broad stone by the
wayside, whereby a fair founta