books of Christ are the apostles and saints; the true reading of them is to imitate their lives.

'In faith everything depends on appropriation; not only must we say 'Thou art King, O God; but, Thou art my God, and my King. My God whom I desire, and my God in whom I trust.'”

"Every form of religion has two kinds of worship-the one external, the other infinitely more noble: that internal worship which manifests itself in a good life, and is the greatest homage, the most true adoration, which a creature can pay to his Creator."

Savonarola was inspired by this desire to change the spirit of his country-to reform its Church, its people, and its Pope; to destroy evil customs, and the tyrants who encouraged them. This was the future to which he looked forward. The first step on the road to it was to reform the Convent of St. Mark.

He had gained the love and confidence of the brotherhood. When Piero de Medici had him removed from Florence, in 1493, it was through

the entreaties of the monks that he was recalled before the end of the year. When he effected the liberty of the Tuscan churches, and was elected their Superior, they were satisfied. What he designed they would accomplish. They had accepted him as their guide, their comforter, and friend.

The friars recognised that if his judgments were uncompromising, his own obedience was implicit. They knew that his cell was as bare, his dress as coarse, his fare as frugal, as any in the convent, and that there were no soft cushions in his daily life. For his personal comfort he had no respect; he and his brethre had accepted poverty as their portion, and they must not change it. And if they were poor, told them the poor of Florence would profit by their loss.

he

If their Prior had no great love of superfluous ease, he had still less admiration of superfluous idleness, as they, too, soon discovered. Schools were established in the convent, where they might learn painting, sculpture, and archi

tecture, or to copy and illuminate manuscripts. They also learned in this way to support themselves. Others, again, could teach the novices; the rest were sent to preach and teach in different cities, always accompanied by a lay brother, who was to labour to support his companion. Nothing could make Savonarola move from his own high position, but he could make others share it, arouse in them his aims, and revive the most despondent with a shock of energy.

Burlamacchi, who was the friend and biographer of Savonarola, gives us this curious picture of their convent life. "After dinner they took a moment's repose, then they gathered cheerfully round the father, who explained to them some passage of the divine Scripture. Then they took a short walk, and reclined for a time in the shade, while the father brought some passage from the sacred books before them as a subject for meditation. Then he made them sing an hymn in honour of our Lord. Sometimes he would invite them to dance, and accompany them with his voice. He was a

father in the midst of a loving and trustful family, or perhaps, rather, an elder brother, whom all reverenced and loved. He lived among us, as one who expected death to come suddenly and by violence, but this never disturbed his serenity and gentleness. A certain melancholy smile gave his coarse and sharp features such an expression of goodness, that his very look inspired confidence. He was benignant and pleasant with all, humble and gentle with every one of the novices, and the familiarity of his manner produced joy and gladness in others."

And now events were nearing which were to confirm his influence outside of the convent walls, and to satisfy even his desire for action.

SAVONAROLA.

43

CHAPTER V.

THE FRENCH IN ITALY, 1494.

"There war, and havoc, and destruction stood.”

BORENZO the Magnificent was dead, and

the dignified position which Florence

held externally in Italy was likely to die with him. He had said himself of his three sons, that the first was good, the second was clever, and the third was a fool. It was his He had third son, Piero, who succeeded him. not the family charm of manner, nor the family intellect. He was vain about his horsemanship and his skill in tennis, but men were soon to learn that he had the hereditary love of power, if he had not the hereditary wit to win it. The people were no longer allowed to indulge the show of liberty which Lorenzo had encouraged.