The commencement of the new year, 1715, was marked by the death of Fenelon, at Cambrai, where he had lived in disgrace so many years.  I have already said something about him, so that I have now but little to add.  His life at Cambrai was remarkable for the assiduity with which he attended to the spiritual and temporal wants of his flock.  He was indefatigable in the discharge of his functions, and in endeavouring to gain all hearts.  Cambrai is a place much frequented; through which many people pass.  During the war the number of wounded soldiers he had received into his house or attended to in the hospitals passes all belief.  He spared nothing for them, neither physical comforts nor spiritual consolations.  Thus it is incredible to what an extent he became the idol of the whole army.  His manners, to high and low, were most affable, yet everywhere he was the prelate, the gentleman, the author of “Telemachus.”  He ruled his diocese with a gentle hand, in no way meddled with the Jansenists; he left all untouched.  Take him for all in all, he had a bright genius and was a great man.  His admiration true or feigned for Madame Guyon remained to the last, yet always without suspicion of impropriety.  He had so exactly arranged his affairs that he died without money, and yet without owing a sou to anybody.

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

Admit our ignorance, and not to give fictions and inventions
Arranged his affairs that he died without money
For penance:  “we must make our servants fast”
The argument of interest is the best of all with monks