Letter (number unidentified). To Father Grecian, Toledo, Seville, towards the end of 1575

That the Prioress of Toledo should continue in her office. Nuns should not change convents except for a foundation. Anxiety about Father Gradan s health. The Sai fit feels at peace.

... If she agrees to remain in her office it will be a great advantage to the community if your Paternity consents. If not, send her here; she could travel with the other nuns as far as Mala-gon : but I hope you will never do me the pleasure of making her come here. No house is in more need of capable members than Toledo. Her office as Prioress will soon expire, but I believe no better one can be found there. Although her health is very bad, she fulfils her duties conscientiously and though a friend of the 'catsV is very virtuous. If your Paternity considers it well for her to resign, she could do so on the plea that the heat is killing her, as every one knows, and there could be a fresh eleótion. But I know of no one else the sisters could have for Prioress, as they love her so much I do not think they could bear to have any one else, although there may be, as there never fails to be, some one who is discontented.

Now, my Father, let your Paternity attend to what I am about to say and, beUeve me, 1 understand women's whims better than you do. You must in no way allow it to be thought possible for any nun, whether prioress or sister, ever to leave her convent except to make a foundation. In fail, I have seen so much harm result from such a hope that I have often wished there might be an end to making foundations, so that all might settle down. Trust my word, and if I die, do not forget it, for the devil seeks no more than to make enclosed nuns see that such a thing is feasible. I could say much about the question, for though our Father General gave me the leave I asked for to move a religious from one house to another if the climate disagreed with her, yet I have seen so much harm result that, but for the good ol the Order, I think it should not be permitted, as the death of a few would be better than the injury done to all."

No convent has its full number of inmates and some are far short of it. 1 believe that three or four are wanted at Segovia, and I think I was careful to note the number. When I went to Malagon to fetch the nuns I had left there I gave (I cannot say how many) licences to the Prioress to admit postulants as there were very few sisters, and advised her to be exceedingly careful as to whom she received. Will your Paternity kindly withdraw these permissions as it would be better if recourse were made to you personally. And believe me, my Father, now that I no longer feel doubts on the subjed:, knowing how careful you are, it would be a great comfort to me to resign the granting of such permissions to you. In the present state of things, better order might be observed; at first, when there was need of one person or another to found convents as it were on air', it was sometimes necessary to consult their wishes.

Seneca says he is highly delighted for he has found more in his superior than he could ever have desired. He renders God hearty thanks, and I am of the same mind. May His Majesty preserve you to us for many a long year!

I assure you that I am extremely vexed at your falling from your mule: it would be well for you to be strapped on to prevent it. I do not know what sort of a mount it is, nor why your Paternity must travel ten leagues a day, which, on a packsaddle, is enough to kill you. I feel anxious as to whether it has occurred to you to wear more clothes as the weather is cold. God grant that the fall has not injured you! Since you are so zealous about souls, remember how many would suííer were your health to fail, and for the love of God take care of it.

Elias' is not so timorous. The Reótor and Rodrigo Alvarez' have great hopes of things coming

' St. John of the Cross, so called for his wisdom.

' Father Gracian.

perfedlly right. As for me, all my former fear has left me," nor could I feel it if I tried. I have been very unwell during the last few days but have taken some medicine and recovered: for three or four months I was so ill that the pain was unbearable. Your Paternity's unworthy daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.