death. He succeeded the great Arnauld as the champion of Jansenism, and may be considered as the last of that brilliant constellation, whose genius and piety had shed so splendid and beneficent a light over the end of the seventeenth, and beginning of the eighteenth century.

The principal leaders of the Jansenistic cause, succeeded each other as follows: The death of Jansenius took place in the year

M. du Vergier de Hauranne, Abbé

de St. Cyran, died in

.1638

The great Arnauld then took the lead, accompanied by his friend and assistant Nicole, whose deaths occur

1643

1684 *1695

* The Jansenists still prevail much in Holland. They are still distinguished by their love of Biblical studies. On visiting their college at Amersfoort, I found Bibles open on the desks in all the students' cells. They informed me a considerable portion of time was devoted to its perusal every day in all their semina

The great Arnauld was succeeded by his intimate friend Father Quesnel, who vigorously maintained the cause by his writings, and at the court of Rome by delegate, till he expired at Amsterdam, in 1719.

The above mentioned are some of the chief controversial writers, who maintained the cause of the Jansenists. Their most valuable authors are perhaps those who have entered but little into the disputed points. Those who have contributed to improve the world by their learning, or who have edified the Christian world by their moral and experimental works. A library of this description might be collected, from the numerous and valuable writings of the recluses of Port Royal.

The principal works of Jansenius are Commentaries on the Evangelists, in quarto, on the Pentateuch, in quarto, on the Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, at Antwerp, 1614, in folio. These works all manifest the deep erudition of their author, and are written with correctness and perspicuity. Besides this, he has written some works of

controversy, now little read, and his celebrated commentary on St. Augustin, in folio, Louvain, 1640; and at Rouen, 1652. The latter edition is the best, and contains some essays omitted in that of Louvain.

Leydecker has written the life of Jansenius in Latin, octavo, Utrecht, 1695. See also Histoire Ecclesiastique du Dixseptieme Siècle, by Du Pin; and l'Histoire des cinq Propositions de Jansenius, par Dumas.

PORT ROYAL.

THIS celebrated monastery is about six leagues distance from Paris. It is situated in a wooded valley, near Chevreuse, and is within view of the little villages of St. Lam bert and Vaumurier.

The Abbey of Port Royal is one of the most ancient belonging to the Order of Citeaux. It was founded, in 1204, by Eudes de Sully, Bishop of Paris. The discipline of this monastery, like that of most others, declined in process of time. Like the generality of religious houses of the same order, it exhibited, towards the close of the sixteenth century, a lamentable and awful degree of relaxation. The rule of St. Bennet was scarcely known there. The retirement of the cloister was unobserved, The revenues, which ought to have been diffused in charity, were converted to pur

poses of luxury. Self-indulgence had banished all regularity, and a worldly spirit influenced the whole community.

At this juncture the Abbess died. It was, at this period, a very common abuse to appoint children to ecclesiastical offices, in order to secure the revenue to the family.

Maria Angelica Arnauld was nominated Abbess of Port Royal before she had completed her eleventh year. She was scarcely eight years old when she assumed the habit of the order. At nine she made her profession before the General of Citeaux. He gave her his benediction eighteen months afterwards.

How deep are the judgments of God, and his ways past finding out! How little probability did there appear that the child, thus iniquitously elected, should prove the very instrument in the hands of God, to restore discipline in the order, and to lay the foundation of the celebrity of Port Royal!

The nuns rejoiced at the appointment;