that right, but that is the old story.  Maybe I am repeating my very fault again.  It is not unlikely, for what do we do all through our lives but to repeat ourselves?  You have forgiven me, and, having forgiven me once, maybe you will forgive me again.  However this may be, do not delay writing, for every day will be an agony till I hear from you.  At the end of an autumn day, when the dusk is sinking into the room, one lacks courage to live.  Religion seems to desert one, and I am thinking of the leaves falling, falling in Derrinrush.  All night long they will be falling, like my hopes.  Forgive me this miserable letter.  But if I didn’t write it, I should not be able to get through the evening.  Write to me.  A letter from Italy will cheer me and help me to live.  All my letters are not like this one.  Not very long ago I wrote to you about a hermit who never wearied of life, though he lived upon an island in this lake.  Did you receive that letter?  I wonder.  It is still following you about maybe.  It was a pleasant letter, and I should be sorry if you did not get it.  Write to me about Italy—­about sunshine, about statues and pictures.

’Ever sincerely yours,

‘OLIVER GOGARTY.’

From Father Oliver Gogarty to Miss Nora Glynn.

’GARRANARD, BOHOLA,

’October 20, 19—.

’DEAR MISS GLYNN,

’I wrote last week apologizing for troubling you again with a letter, pleading that the melancholy of autumn and the falling of the leaf forced me to write to someone.  I wrote asking for a letter, saying that a letter about Italian sunshine would help me to live.  I am afraid my letter must have seemed exaggerated.  One writes out of a mood.  The mood passes, but when it is with one, one is the victim of it.  And this letter is written to say I have recovered somewhat from my depression of spirits....  I have found consolation in a book, and I feel that I must send it to you, for even you may one day feel depressed and lonely.  Did you ever read “The Imitation of Christ”?  There is no book more soothing to the spirit than it; and on the very first page I found some lines which apply marvellously well to your case: 

’"If thou didst know the whole Bible outwardly, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it all profit thee without charity and the grace of God?”

’Over the page the saint says:  “Every man naturally desireth to know; but what doth knowledge avail without the fear of God?”

’"Truly, a lowly rustic that serveth God is better than a proud philosopher who pondereth the course of the stars and neglecteth himself.”

’"He that knoweth himself becometh vile to himself, and taketh no delight in the praises of men.”

’"If I knew all things that are in the world, and were not in charity, what would it profit me in the sight of God, who will judge according to deeds?”

’"Cease from overweening desire of knowledge, because many distractions are found there, and much delusion.”