Letter 434. To Father Gracian, Seville, Valladolid, September 1, 1582

The Saint. warns him against staying too long in Andalusia. The Discalced friars of San Alejos. Troubles of the Salamanca nuns. Teresita’s profession.

... Since I came here I have been told that people remark that you object to being accompanied by any one of importance; I know you have no choice, but as the Chapter will soon be held, I do not wish there to be any pretext for attacking you. For the love of God be cautious on that score, also as to

‘ The Dominican prior who had presided over the Chapter at Alcala.

how you preach in Andalusia; I have never liked your being there for long. You wrote in your letter the other day of the trials people have suffered there: may God spare me the pain of seeing you share their sufferings! As you say, the devil does not sleep. Believe me, I shall feel completely unstrung so long as you are there.

I do not understand why you stay so long at Seville. I was told that you would not go there until just before the Chapter.’ I feel more anxious about you than if you returned to Granada. May the Master direét the affair as is most to His service! There is urgent need of a vicar in Andalusia. If Fray Antonio acquits himself satisfactorily, you might send him there, while you could superintend the Order from Valladolid. Do not think df becoming an Andalusian—your character is not suited for it. I beg of you again, however rarely you preach, to be very cautious as to what you say.

As for Castile, do not trouble about it; the friar’s affair was not so serious as it appeared, and sod will bring matters quite right. No one knew anything about it.

The Prioress is writing to tell your Reverence that the friars of Valladolid are in very bad health.

Yet, as your Reverence is aware, he knows nothing of the purchase of the house nor does he wish for it. Meanwhile she assures me that the reétor is acting under directions from you. It isa plot of the devil's, I do not know on what ground she goes; she would not tell a falsehood but her intense desire for this wretched house must have affeéted her brain.

Fray Diego of Salamanca called on me yesterday: (he was here when you made the Visitation.) He told me that the Reétor of St. Lazarus had taken part in the affair against his will out of regard for me. He went so far as to declare to the prioress that the rector always goes to confession after having acted in the matter because it is so grave an offence against God, though he says that he éannot help himself on account of the importunities of the prioress. Fray Diego added that all Salamanca is indignant at sucha purchase. Doétor Solis declares that it is unlawful to acquire the house, as the purchase money is not assured. Yet the prioress is in such haste to complete the bargain that she seems resorting to tricks to keep it from my knowledge. You will see by the enclosed letter that the price, including the taxes, amounts to six thousand ducats. Every one says that the house is not worth two thousand five hundred, and people ask how nuns, living in poverty, can waste so much money. The worst of it is that the community do not possess that sum. In my opinion, it is a plan of the devil’s to destroy the convent. Those in power are trying their best to delay matters until the evil one’s plots are discovered.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 363

Another drawback is that, if the nuns moved into Christobal Juarez’ house, the students would have to go into the newly built college of San Lazaro, which would be enough to kill them. Iam writing to ask the Rector not to consent to it, and I shall watch over the affair.

You need feel no anxiety as to the eight hundred ducats which the friars owe the nuns, because Don Francisco’ will repay them in a year. It is a good thing the sisters have not got them to spend now. Never fear that I shall try to get the debt paid! It

® Don Cristobal Juarez de Solis, one of the chief citizens of Salamanca. 7 Don Francisco de Fonseca de Coca y Alaejos, who gave large sums of money to found the college at Salamanca.

is more important that the students should be decently lodged than that the nuns ‘should have so large a house. Besides, how could they pay the rent? The whole affair bewilders me. Why, if your Reverence has given them permission, do you refer the matter to me after it has been settled? If you have not given it, where do they get their money from? They have just remitted five hundred ducats to Monroy’s niece. And how can they consider that the bargain has been clenched, so that, as the prioress tells me, it cannot be broken? If such be the case, may God deliver them. Your Reverence must not be distressed about the matter as all that is possible will be done.

For the love of God be cautious how you act in this business. Do not trust to what nuns say; if they want to do a thing they will find a thousand reasons for it. This community had better take a small house suited to poor people and enter it humbly and not burden themselves with debts. If I have sometimes felt consoled at your leaving me, it has been at the thought that you have been saved these troubles, as I would far rather be the only sufferer.

The letter I wrote to the nuns of Alba saying that I was seriously annoyed with them and should certainly visit their convent has done them great good. ?

God willing, it would be well if we returned to Avila at the end of this month. I do not consider it expedient to drag this child about from one