attracted attention by his discourses on science and religion, and even gained the favour of the superior authorities. Encouraged by this reception, and having received some valuable presents from Europe, he resolved to make his way to the emperor. At court, his presents were received, and his person honoured; a house was assigned him, and he was taken into the service of the state, A.D. 1601. Ricci was no sooner settled, than he began to diffuse his doctrines; and in a few years succeeded in converting several persons of distinction. The number of Christians continued to increase, and the new doctrine soon spread from the capital, to distant cities; particularly Nan-chang and Shang-hae; at the latter of which, a mandarin, of great talents and influence, professed himself a follower of Christ. This man, on his baptism, took the name of Paul; as he wished to be the apostle of his countrymen. His exertions and example did much to promote the cause of Ricci, and his accurate knowledge of the language enabled him to throw the publications of his instructor into a neat and elegant style, which contributed to their acceptability with the higher classes of the people. He apologized for the Christian faith in a learned manner, and defended the cause in the presence of the emperor: in short, his zeal, his wealth, his talents, and his influence, contributed much to the extension of the Romish faith in China; and his posterity trod in his footsteps.
His youngest daughter, Candida, was a remarkable woman. Having been left a widow at an early age, she devoted herself to the promotion of the cause of Christianity; and, reserving enough for her eight children, she consecrated the rest of her fortune to the
