"Believe me--the more so because I would not say it were it not true--that when you applaud my discourses, I am seized with a certain infirmity, and feel quite contented and happy. ... But, on returning home, I reflect that all fruit of my speaking is lost through these applauses and commendations; {150} and I say to myself: Of what avail is my labor if my hearers do not profit thereby? I have even thought of making a rule positively to forbid all applause, that you may listen to me in silence, with proper decorum and reserve. ... I pray and conjure you to suffer me to establish such a rule forthwith. ... Let us now order that no hearer shall make any noise while the preacher is speaking; and that if any one wishes to admire, let it be by keeping silence. (Applause.) Why do you still applaud me, even while I am making a law to prohibit the abuse? Though you will not suffer me to speak to you on the subject, nevertheless, let us enact the law, for it will be to our advantage. ... However, I do not wish to be too rigorous, for fear of appearing uncivil in your estimation; so that if you find so much gratification in applauding, I shall not hinder it; but I will suggest to you a much superior motive for eliciting still greater applause on your part, namely, that you carry away with you what you hear, and practise it." When condemned to his first exile, the people flocked round their pastor, determined to proceed to extremities rather than let him depart. He then addressed them the following touching farewell:-- {151} "A violent tempest surrounds me on all sides; but I fear nothing, because I stand on an immovable rock. The fury of the waves cannot sink the vessel of Jesus Christ. Death cannot terrify me; it would rather be a gain to me. Do I fear exile? All the earth is the Lord's. Do I fear the loss of goods? Naked I was born into the world, and naked I shall return. I despise the scorn and the flattery of the world. I have no desire to live but for your welfare." The people remained with him eight days to defend him, and the holy pastor, in order to prevent an insurrection, escaped by a secret door, and delivered himself up to his enemies. The Empress _Eudoxia_, however, was soon obliged to recall him. "We shall lose the empire," said she, "unless John is recalled." Then, again, O'Connell, that orator who acquired so wide an influence, how popular he was! But I shall let M. de Cormenin describe him:--