A.D . 1254.]] HIS BENEVOLENT CHARACTER. 519 does. On this Holy Thursday, he washes the feet of lepers, and then kisses them." Before this good king went to bed he was often accustomed to have his children brought to him, and then related to them the brilliant actions and sayings of kings and other ancient princes, telling them to retain them well in their memory, to serve as examples. In like manner, he told them the deeds of wicked men, who, by their luxury, rapine, avarice, and pride, had lost their honours and kingdoms, and that their deaths had been unfortunate. " Such things," added the king, " you will cautiously avoid doing like them, that you may not fall under the displeasure of God." He likewise taught them their prayers to the blessed Virgin, and heard them daily repeat the prayers for the day, according to the seasons, in order to accustom them to do the same when they should be more advanced in years, and govern their country. He was a most liberal almsgiver; for, whenever he travelled through his kingdom, he always visited the churches, the infirmaries, and hospitals. He sought out distressed gentlemen, poor widows, and unmarried girls without fortune ; and every place where he found distress or want, he gave large sums of money. To poor beggars he ordered meat and drink, and I have often seen him cut the bread and pour out drink to them himself. During his reign, he built and endowed several churches, monasteries, and abbeys ; such as Reaumont, the abbey of St Anthony at Paris, the abbey Du Lis, the abbey De Malboisson, and many more for the Cordeliers and Friars-preachers. He also erected the Maison Dieu at Pontoise, that of Vernon, tbe house of the Quinze-vingts at Paris, and the abbey of Cordeliers at St Cloud, which the princess Isabella, his sister, founded at his request When any benefices became vacant and were in his gift, before he provided for them, he made strict inquiry of proper persons respecting the situation and condition of those who asked for them, and whether they were men of letters and well informed. He would never allow those to whom he gave benefices to hold more than was be coming their state, and he never gave them without having duly consulted those well qualified to give him good advice. You will see below how he punished his bailiffs, judges, and other officers when in fault, and the handsome new esta