him, that he should receive unorthodox lacteal sustentation. In
this you are but following the usage of the Church in all ages,
for She has ever enjoined the advantage of infusing Her doctrines
into Her children with the mother's milk.

"Three courses only appear to me to be open to us. First, we may
try to work upon the mother's feelings, and on behalf of her
child induce her to avail herself of the inestimable privileges
of the Church in which he is fostered. Secondly, should she
repel us--and these lower class heretics are even brutally
refractory--we might at least allure her to allow us to make with
holy water the sign of the Cross upon the natural reservoirs of
infant nourishment each time before she approaches the infant.
This, besides overcoming the immediate difficulty and securing
for the child a supply of sanctified food, might open the way for
the entrance into her own bosom of the milk of the word.
Thirdly, should she reject these proposals, I see nothing for it
but to forbid her to have access to her infant, and, commending
him to the care of the Holy Mother, to feed him with pap or other
suitable nourishment, previously consecrated by me in its crude
state, and prepared by the most holy hands of your community.
Thus we may hope to shield the young soul in its present
freshness from contact with carnal elements.
"Your loving Father in, &c.,
"CERTIFICATUS."


On receiving this letter the Superioress conferred not with flesh
and blood, but sent for Mrs. Ginx. That worthy woman was not
enchanted with her child's position. I have hinted that her