throughout the route. The lords of Ganghereto received him with great
respect, and were so pleased with the holiness of his life, that they
begged his acceptance of a field and a small wood for the service of
his religious. He set up a hut there, where his infirmities compelled
him to remain some time. After preaching and prayer, to which he daily
gave some time, one after the other, he employed himself in building
a small wall round a spring of water which he got miraculously, and
which still flows, the water of which God was pleased to render
salutary.

As soon as his health was in some degree restored, he continued his
way towards Florence, where he went to lodge in the hospital. The
following day he preached in the town, and was listened to as a saint.
They gave him a small dwelling near the church of St. Gall, about five
hundred paces from the city, in which he received several novices, who
rendered themselves illustrious by their exalted virtues; among whom
John Parent is particularly noticed, who was a native of Carmignano,
near Pistoria.

His conversion was attributable to a very peculiar circumstance. As
he was walking one evening in the environs of the town, he saw a
swineherd who was endeavoring to drive his pigs into a stable, and
who, being in a great passion because, instead of going in, they
dispersed themselves in all directions, called out to them in his
anger: "Swine, get into this stable as judges get into hell." He had
scarcely said the words, when these animals went quietly in. That which
might have appeared to this magistrate nothing but an impertinence,
struck him, and made so strong an impression upon him, that, having
seriously reflected on the dangers incurred by a judge (which are
indeed very great) as to salvation, he threw up his magistracy, and