died at the end of the year 1526, or in the beginning of 1527;
but it is probable that, when he wrote that note, he had not read
the copy of the will, which he has printed in the first volume of
the Saint's writings, p. 550.

8. Our Lady of Charity, in the church of the hospital where the
poor and pilgrims were received in Avila (Bouix).



Chapter II.


Early Impressions. Dangerous Books and Companions. The Saint Is
Placed in a Monastery.


1. What I shall now speak of was, I believe, the beginning of
great harm to me. I often think how wrong it is of parents not
to be very careful that their children should always, and in
every way, see only that which is good; for though my mother was,
as I have just said, so good herself, nevertheless I, when I came
to the use of reason, did not derive so much good from her as I
ought to have done--almost none at all; and the evil I learned
did me much harm. She was very fond of books of chivalry; but
this pastime did not hurt her so much as it hurt me, because she
never wasted her time on them; only we, her children, were left
at liberty to read them; and perhaps she did this to distract her
thoughts from her great sufferings, and occupy her children, that
they might not go astray in other ways. It annoyed my father so