Obstinate and
headstrong in matters of indifference, but the moment religion was
in question, even the moral part, he collected himself, was silent, or
simply said: "I am charged with the care of myself only." It is
astonishing so much elevation of mind should be compatible with a
spirit of detail carried to minuteness. He previously divided the
employment of the day by hours, quarters and minutes; and so
scrupulously adhered to this distribution, that had the clock struck
while he was reading a phrase, he would have shut his book without
finishing it. His portions of time thus laid out, were some of them
set apart to studies of one kind, and others to those of another: he
had some for reflection, conversation divine service, the reading of
Locke, for his rosary, for visits, music and painting; and neither
pleasure, temptation, nor complaisance, could interrupt this order:
a duty he might have had to discharge was the only thing that could
have done it. When he gave me a list of his distribution, that I might
conform myself thereto, I first laughed, and then shed tears of
admiration. He never constrained anybody nor suffered constraint: he
was rather rough with people, who from politeness attempted to put
it upon it. He was passionate without being sullen. I have often
seen him warm, but never saw him really angry with any person. Nothing
could be more cheerful than his temper: he knew how to pass and
receive a joke; raillery was one of his distinguished talents, and
with which he possessed that of pointed wit and repartee.
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