A GARDEN IN VENICE 



of the Franciscan order, are, in the language and 

 experience of the Fondamenta, Buona gente. 



Begging with us at home is not a high ideal 

 nor a meritorious practice, but then we have a 

 poor law. In a land where no Elizabeth ever 

 signed a law to prevent the starvation of her 

 meanest subject, 'tis wonderful that those who 

 by sickness, laziness, or incapacity run off the 

 course, can eat enough to live. The kindness of 

 the people to the people is wonderful. Of the 

 service of the children to their parents I shall 

 speak later. The charity of the well-to-do to 

 the poorly off is great, the bequests of the dying, 

 or the fearful, to make their peace with purgatory 

 are many, but still there are hundreds with no 

 kith or kin placed well enough to help them 

 who would starve but for such men as these 

 monks. 



The Father Superior is an acquaintance 1 

 gladly see. Tall, gaunt, and handsome, in his 

 brown frock he reminds one of a Ribera picture, 

 and he is gentle in his voice and manner, unre- 

 mitting in his quest, untiring in his labour. 

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