When he had entered the room three paces, he stood still; and
laying his left hand upon his breast (a slender white staff with
which he journey'd being in his right)--when I had got close up to
him, he introduced himself with the little story of the wants of
his convent, and the poverty of his order;--and did it with so
simple a grace,--and such an air of deprecation was there in the
whole cast of his look and figure,--I was bewitch'd not to have
been struck with it.

- A better reason was, I had predetermined not to give him a single
sous.


THE MONK. CALAIS.


- 'Tis very true, said I, replying to a cast upwards with his eyes,
with which he had concluded his address;--'tis very true,--and
heaven be their resource who have no other but the charity of the
world, the stock of which, I fear, is no way sufficient for the
many GREAT CLAIMS which are hourly made upon it.

As I pronounced the words GREAT CLAIMS, he gave a slight glance
with his eye downwards upon the sleeve of his tunic: --I felt the
full force of the appeal--I acknowledge it, said I: --a coarse
habit, and that but once in three years with meagre diet,--are no
great matters; and the true point of pity is, as they can be earn'd
in the world with so little industry, that your order should wish
to procure them by pressing upon a fund which is the property of