I shall say nothing of those whose ardent zeal warms and at the same time confounds us, whose help cheers and strengthens us. Neither shall I say any more about the burning desire of a great number of our Fathers, who find the air of New France the air of Heaven, since there they can suffer for Heaven, and there can help souls to find Heaven. I pass over in silence many other Religious, who have the same sentiments and the same willingness. But what surprises me is that many young Nuns, consecrated to our Lord, wish to join us,--overcoming the fear natural [5] to their sex, in order to come and help the poor girls and poor women among these Savages. There are so many of these who write to us, and from so many Convents, and from various Orders in the Church, of the strictest discipline, that you would say that each one is first to laugh at the hardships of the Sea, the riotous waves of the Ocean, and the barbarism of these countries. They have written me that the Superior of a very well-ordered House, being asked to send some Sisters to establish a Convent of her Order in some town of France, answered that she had no Sisters except for New France, and for England, in case God restored the Catholic faith there. Another one, no less zealous, having recounted the great devotions that were performed in her House for the happy conversion of these Tribes, said that the Relation [6] of last year, capable of appalling the stoutest heart, not only has not disheartened these Sisters, but on the contrary has so inspired them, that thirteen have with their own hands signed a vow to God, to cross over into New France, there to exercise the functions of their Order, if their Superiors are pleased to allow them. I have received, seen, and read this vow with astonishment. I know another one, who, after having established several Convents of her Order in France, would consider it a great favor of God if she could come and end her days in a little home, dedicated to the service of the little Savage girls who go wandering through these great forests. To all of which I can only say that _Digitus Dei est hîc_, that the hand of God guides this enterprise. [7] Mais il faut que ie donne cét aduis en passant à toutes ces bonnes Filles, qu'elles se donnent bien de garde de presser leur depart, qu'elles n'ayent icy vne bonne Maison, bien bastie, & bien rentée, autrement elles seroient à charge à nos Francois, & feroient peu de choses pour ces Peuples. Les hommes se tirent bien mieux des difficultez: mais pour des Religieuses, il leur faut vne bonne Maison, quelques terres défrichées, & vn bon reuenu pour se põuuoir nourrir; & soulager la pauureté des femmes & des filles Sauuages.