Page:Don-bosco-pine.djvu/171

 Scarcely less touching is the pen-picture of a personal visit paid to Don Bosco by a Belgian gentleman in December, 1887.

"I had to go up numerous stairs, and at the top, in a very humble attic, I found him. I remarked two splendid etchings there, attesting that if the object of the institution was to educate artisans, artists, too, belonged to it. I met Don Bosco's principal co-laborers, Don Rua, his vicar-general; the other, his assistant, Don Durando. The first, still young, I recognized at once to be an active, energetic character; the second, ascetic-looking, singularly recalled to me the emaciated countenance of St. Vincent of Paul. As the waiting-room was full of visitors of all classes, Don Durando allowed me to pass into his cell, where I was astonished to see evidences of great poverty. Many poor are better lodged and have better furniture than this eminent clergyman; I believe the Salesian staff are contented with the lodging of a barrack.

"When at last I was to have the happiness of approaching Don Bosco my heart beat more quickly than in going before worldly potentates, reflecting that I was to meet one of those rare men whom God is pleased to raise up at certain times, to show what saints are and what they can achieve. Sanctity! How this word makes worldly people smile! Nevertheless, even from a human point of view, saints have had a great effect on individual lives and nations. Who would dare to