This is the case already in several towns in France, where a person can scarcely decline being a member of some benevolent association without suffering a loss of respect. You must overcome all repugnances on this subject, more especially that of _amour propre_. There are those who will raise the following objection, which is by no means rare:--"How can I, a man in my position, a woman of my standing, busy myself about a set of beggarly people like these?" To such reply:--"And why not? In the great cities, men the most eminent by fortune, talent, and reputation, do it. ... Even ladies who are fêted and sought after in the world--the young and beautiful, countesses, marchionesses, and princesses--even such do not disdain the task. There are women in Paris, possessing every thing that heart can desire, with a rental of from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand francs, who deprive themselves of legitimate pleasures to occupy themselves in making clothes for the poor, visiting the most wretched hovels, and nursing the indigent sick." {112} Tell them all this with gentleness and kindness; make the grand ladies of certain small towns--such as the wives of lawyers, judges, advocates, merchants, commission agents, and viscounts--ashamed of themselves. It will tend to wean them from that spirit of contempt and sensualism, and that pride of shabby finery, which consists in thinking one's self superior to a rival because she has had the signal honor of finding a better dressmaker. Tell them that, if they affect the fashions and usages of Paris, they would do well to imitate the charity, zeal, and devotion which are exercised there. To cite but one instance, that of Donoso Cortès, whom we may now praise, for God has just called him to Himself. He disappeared every day from home at certain hours. No one knew where he went; but it was afterward discovered that it was the time of his visits to the poor. M. de Montalembert, who knew him well, tells us that he loved the poor passionately, but, withal, discreetly. In fact, in order to benefit the people, that is how they must be loved. Thereby alone can you hope to succeed in restoring them to the path of Gospel self-denial and self-sacrifice. Be on your guard, moreover, against another excuse often urged by certain of the wealthier classes. They say:--"But the people distrust us; it is quite enough for us to attempt to lead them in one way to make them determined to follow another." {113}