1894 LIFE AT COSTEBELLE 343 



of Mr. Eomanes' greatest and most intimate friends 

 were Christian as well as intellectual men. But of 

 influence and argument and persuasion, as most 

 people imagine them, there was nothing. Discus- 

 sions many, during the past years, but to these he 

 owed little. 



It is written, that those who seek find, and to 

 no one do these words more fitly apply. 



During these months Mr. Eomanes read many 

 books of a religious nature ; particularly and pre- 

 eminently he liked to have Dean Church read aloud, 

 and he also liked Mr. Holland's ' City of God ' and 

 Mr. Illingworth's sermons, particularly one on ' In- 

 nocence,' which he asked for more than once. He 

 also read much poetry. Miss Eossetti and Archbishop 

 Trench being especial favourites at this time. 



To himself he read or had read to him the Bible 

 and Thomas a Kempis, and he liked Dr. Bright's 

 Ancient Collects, and in part Bishop Andrewes' 

 Devotions. He never would read or have anything 

 read to him which did not ring true to him and 

 which he could not appreciate ; for instance, the 

 Pleadings of Our Lord's Physical Sufferings in 

 Andrewes' Devotions for Friday were very distasteful 

 to him. 



He often went to the English Church for short 

 services, and on Easter Monday Dr. Moberly gave 

 him Holy Communion, for which he had asked and 

 for which he wished. 



In the week before Easter he felt very ill, and 

 said, ' I wish Moberly (who had gone away for a few 

 days) were here, and we could have that Celebration ; 

 I don't think I shall live till Easter.' But this 

 passed away, and on Easter Day he was peculiarly 

 bright, and in the evening said, ' I, have written this 

 poem to-day.' 



It is impossible to resist the wish to insert it 

 here : 



