Saint Peter Fourier. By L. Pingaud. Translated by C. W.
W. (Duckworth and Co. 3s.)—Peter Fourier was a very admirable person, to whose virtues his biographer does full justice, though he sometimes fails, we think, to guide his pen with discretion. But the Saint's chief title to distinction lies in his services to education, services not rendered without much difficulty and the overcoming of many obstacles in his days (1565-1690). He founded the Congrega- tion de Notre Dame, the principle of the institution being the teach- ing of girls by nuns. One great difficulty came from without. Why, said many, should the cloistered nun come forth to teach? Is this not to forsake her vocation ? And the nuns themselves were sometimes unreasonable. Fourier had to reprove some of them for practising austerities which interfered with their efficiency as teachers. His work suffered an eclipse, but has of late years been revived. His own part was always marked by good sense, a quality which was eminently characteristic of him. What could be better than the following?— "If any child of the so-called reformed religion should be found amongst the others in our schools, treat her kindly, do not permit the others to molest her by making any unpleasantness. Do not ask her openly to forsake her error, and do not speak to her against her religion. Above all, impress these things upon her mind, that children owe, to their parents great love and respect, and to God, love and obedience to His Commandments. There is nothing in this to hurt or estrange her poor heart. If she learns well you could praise her diligence, and give her in reward (instead of a holy picture) a sheet of gilt paper, or a pretty pen, or something of the sort that she could not disdain."
Previous page
