Yet I Say That That Which
I Have Written Is True - The One Who Believes Because I Have Said It
Will Be Right (She Always Is), Whilst Poor Mr. "Reasonable Man,"
Who Is Convinced By The Weight Of My Argument, Will Be Completely
Deceived.
In Spanish politics, however, the monks are better instructed.
The
revenues of the monasteries, which had been principally supplied by
the bounty of their most Catholic majesties, have been withheld
since Ferdinand's death, and the interests of these establishments
being thus closely involved in the destinies of Spain, it is not
wonderful that the brethren should be a little more knowing in
Spanish affairs than in other branches of history. Besides, a
large proportion of the monks were natives of the Peninsula. To
these, I remember, Mysseri's familiarity with the Spanish language
and character was a source of immense delight; they were always
gathering around him, and it seemed to me that they treasured like
gold the few Castilian words which he deigned to spare them.
The monks do a world of good in their way; and there can be no
doubting that previously to the arrival of Bishop Alexander, with
his numerous young family and his pretty English nursemaids, they
were the chief propagandists of Christianity in Palestine. My old
friends of the Franciscan convent at Jerusalem some time since gave
proof of their goodness by delivering themselves up to the peril of
death for the sake of duty. When I was their guest they were forty
I believe in number, and I don't recollect that there was one of
them whom I should have looked upon as a desirable life-holder of
any property to which I might be entitled in expectancy.
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