said, "That if the lords and gentlemen would accustom themselves, from
their tender years, to the service and fear of God, they would live with
greater Christianity in their riper age: and if persons of quality came
once to give good examples of religion, the commonalty, who form
themselves according to their model, would not fail to regulate their
manners; and therefore the reformation of all degrees in the kingdom
consisted chiefly in the virtuous education of young noblemen."

The example of the prince and the young courtiers drew the rest; and
thereupon Xavier writes to Ignatius in these terms:

"Nothing can be more regular than the court of Portugal: it resembles
rather a religious society, than a secular court. The number of courtiers
who come to confession, and are afterwards communicated, every eight
days, is so very great, that we are in admiration of it," and are in
perpetual thanksgiving for it. We are so taken up with hearing
confessions, that if we were twice so many as we are, there would be
employment more than enough for us. We are sitting on the confession-seat
all the day long, and part of the night, though none but courtiers are
permitted to come to us.

"I remember, that I observed, when the king was at Almerin, those who
waited on him, from all parts of the kingdom, about their own affairs, as
the custom is, were in great admiration at this new court-mode; and when
they beheld the young gentlemen at the sacrament of the altar, every
Sunday and holiday, with great reverence, they thought themselves in
another world. But the greatest part of them imitating that which they
admired, drew near to the tribunal of penance, and the holy table. Had
we confessors enow to attend the crowds that come to court, no man would
venture to apply himself to the king for any business, before he had been