had any one said: "Behold the beginning of a work which, within thirty years, will extend through France, and even cross the seas and establish itself in the chief cities of the New World. Yet such is the case. - In 1810, the Little Sisters of the Poor took their origin in this humble manner, and to-day their Sisters have a reputation as extensive as the countries which are blessed by their presence.

Whoever heard of purchasing a house worth thousands, without a cent, either in present or prospective possession? Such things are unknown in financial circles. The Little Sisters of the Poor deal with a different "Board of Trade." They have but one bank, that of Providence; but one teller, the angel who records their noble deeds; and, like St. Lawrence of old, their only riches "in hand" are the poor, whose numbers, constantly increasing, never allow the miracles by which they are provided for, to diminish. Their first property was purchased in Saint Servan for 22,000 francs; not a sou was in the exchequer at the moment of purchase; none was left therein till the date of payment, and, when the hour for settlement arrived, the establishment was paid for. Such was the first speculation entered into by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The second foundation was made in Rennes. In Bethlehem, the animals breathed their warm breath over the body of the new-born babe; in Rennes, the very drunkards and frequenters of public places fell in love with the Little Sisters of the Poor. Well, they didn't marry the Little Sisters, of course, but they espoused their cause; and where lords and ladies at first refused to look, these outcasts of society might be seen helping the Little Sisters to establish a home. We next find the Little Sisters in Dinan. Here they

began with the easiest of tasks, that of finding a poor, aged person. This being secured, the city authorities considered that they had done their part by giving the Sisters the use of an old tower, which the sanitary authorities had condemned, as unfit for public criminals. The Sisters were satisfied. If anything saddened them, it was to find charity located by public authority, in so cold a home.

We follow the pilgrimage of love to Nantes, where, with twenty francs in hand, the Sisters set to work. In three months they had forty-five aged, sleeping peacefully under the roof which Providence had placed above them. To-day everything is complete in this commercial centre. Chapel, laundry, bath-rooms, stables, —even the traditional little ass is found doing its part of the work. And, when the Sisters desire to appear somewhat more fashionable, or to get through their tour of charity more rapidly, a nag, not known in the "Annals of the Turf," serves as a more expeditious servant.

At Besançon, the Sisters were accepted as a gift from heaven. Each evening, it is true, the provisions were exhausted. But, he who watches over the sparrows, lest they fall to the ground, has never failed to provide for the poor, who are of so much greater value.

Bordeaux welcomed the new apostles of charity in 1819. After dreary weeks, a house which had been uninhabited for thirty years was discovered, bearing the rather uninviting title, Castle of the Devil. Not particularly frightened at the sobriquet attached to this new home, the Sisters undertook to attack the enemy in his own stronghold, and the Spirit of pride fled before the angel of charity.

A few days after this the Sisters presented themselves in the market, where they were received with an

enthusiasm difficult to describe. They were completely surrounded; old women stood on chairs, young maidens scrambled on top of the hucksters' wagons, while some of the men busied themselves in making way for the Little Sisters to pass. On the opposite side of the street were merchants and storekeepers, who desired to know the cause of such unusual commotion. When informed that the market people were giving food, they asked if the poor did not also need clothing. That day the only discontented servant in the asylum was the poor donkey, that had several heavy loads to haul.

Nor is it safe at all times to ask for information as to the meaning of such demonstrations. Says V. Fournel, in an amusing sketch of such sights in Paris: "My curiosity was excited, and I ventured to ask one of the market-women what this might mean. 'Come here, mesdames,' cried my informant, 'come here and see a booby who does not know the Little Sisters.'

The history of other foundations is like those already given, not omitting the magnificent establishments found in most of our American cities. But we must not conclude without adding what will be of interest to all young and a great many old readers. We mean "A New Way to Pay Old Debts." The method is peculiar to the Little Sisters. So far as we can learn, the plan was first adopted in the city of Lyons.

"What is the matter with you, Mother?" said an out-going sister.

"These are our flour bills, which I don't know how to meet. I have just been thinking;— you are going to Lyons, take these bills and sell them."

66 'How much am I to ask for them?"

"That is quite simple; the price is marked on each."

The sister started. It was her day to collect the remains of the meals at a certain count's house. She asks to see the master, - it was the first time she had ever spoken to him.

"What does this mean?" said he, "your sisters were here yesterday, and I gave them my monthly offering."

"I have some bonds for sale; they are for flour; I wish to sell them if M. Count desires any. Rev. Mother says the flour is already consumed."

He took the papers, examined them, and concluded by going to his bureau and drawing a check for the amount of the largest, one thousand franes.

"That is the first time in my life," said he, "that I have seen bills thus sold."

The sister placed bills almost as large before night. The flour merchant was the most surprised, when he heard how his bills had disappeared.

We repeat, such transactions are not known “On Change," but the Little Sisters have a special set of customs adapted to the peculiar nature of the business in which they are engaged.

COMPOSITION.

Write a short sketch of a begging tour in the market by the Little Sisters. Imagine the conversation held by the two old men who min ́l the horse or donkey. Show that this charity never makes any one poorer. Ask your father or mother to take you to some "Sisters' Home for the Aged," if there is such an institution in your midst. sketch of what you will have seen.

Write a

NO RELIGION WITHOUT MYSTERIES.

Francois Auguste, Viscomte De Chateaubriand, born in France in 1769, died in 1848. He is one of the most illustrious writers of the nineteenth century. The "Genius of Christianity "and the "Martyrs" are works unsurpassed for eloquence, enthusiasm and Christian philosophy. These, together with the works of that other illustrious Catholic, Montalembert, should be read by every Catholic who would be familiar with the grandest exponents of the Christian idea in literature.

THERE is nothing beautiful, sweet, or grand in life,

but in its mysteries. The sentiments which agitate us most strongly, are enveloped in obscurity: modesty, virtuous love, sincere friendship, have all their secrets, with which the world must not be made acquainted. Hearts which love understand each other by a word; half of each is at all times open to the other. Innocence itself is but a holy ignorance, and the most ineffable of mysteries. Infancy is only happy because it as yet knows nothing; age miserable because it has nothing more to learn. Happily for it, when the mysteries of life are ending, those of immortality commence.

If it is thus with the sentiments, it is assuredly not less so with the virtues: the most angelic are those which, emanating directly from the Deity, such as charity, love to withdraw themselves from all regards, as if fearful to betray their celestial origin.

If we turn to the understanding, we shall find that the pleasures of thought, also, have a certain connection with the mysterious. To what sciences do we unceasingly return? To those which always leave something still to be discovered, and fix our regards on a perspective. which is never to terminate. If we wander in the desert, a sort of instinct leads us to shun the plains where the eye embraces at once the whole circumference