Self-denial is a great virtue; but morose and conceited self-immolation is no part of pure religion. It is of the same nature as the delusion that influences the devotees of the East, who, with hooks in their flesh, swing themselves in a circle till they lose strength, reason, and life. The Suttee might be as great as the learned Wolsey, and perform even a greater act of devotion than he did, for she willingly and cheerfully gives up her body to be burnt; but this proud man, against his reason, against his judgment, and in spite of himself, married the woman that he loved to another man, and neither wished nor prayed for her happiness. Had his act been one of faith instead of superstition, it would have been attended with consequences far more productive of comfort and happiness to himself and others than it was. Faith can surmount difficulties, and glory in so doing: but faith never places stumbling blocks of iniquity in the way of the soul, that it may leap over them and appear glorious in the sight of men. Learning in that day was then confined in a great measure to ecclesiastical establishments, and though ignorance greatly prevailed among the monks and monasteries, yet men of letters were occasionally found among them, who were bright stars of their day. If a noble was a man of letters, he was indeed accounted a wonder. It was something then to write, but to write with any degree of purity was a singular accomplishment. On this account Lord De Freston and his daughter were highly esteemed. Wolsey had been alive indeed to the interest and influence she had exercised in his favour: but she had not been the least aware of having caused him any deeper feeling than that of gratitude for her exertions. His conduct had become changed--very different from that of former days, and certainly in her eyes it was not improved; but she attributed this to the position to which he had even then been elevated. So altered were his words and manners, that although he had come so far to marry her, and to comply with her request, she almost regretted that she had disturbed his learned pursuits at Magdalene. There he was, however, to perform the ceremony; and as the organ gradually increased its swelling tones, as the bride and bridegroom walked along the nave of the church, the murmur of the multitude and the steps of approaching feet, warned Wolsey that he must prepare himself for the duty he had undertaken. He rose from his knees with the studied gesture of a man about to confer a great obligation, and summoning all the energy of his robust frame, and the pride of his whole heart--he appeared as immoveable and as firm as a commander of Roman cohorts going into battle. Every person in that church, saving the bride, looked upon him with wonder; but she with downcast eyes had not ventured to look up, even to behold the countenance of the man who had been so much her friend and companion from her infancy.