acts of devotion, for saying Mass; heard another, if possible; and concluded his morning exercises with spiritual reading, from the best ascetic writers. The day he devoted to business, and in the evening recited the Divine Office. At eight o'clock he retired for an hour's contemplation before the blessed Sacrament; and after supper and evening prayers, resumed his studies till midnight, when he usually retired to rest. The life of this holy bishop was a finished model of that humility and self-denial which he so strenuously inculcated in his writings.
Yet Bishop Hay was always cheerful and agreeable. His virtue had nothing in it gloomy or morose, for, though severe to himself, he was ever condescending and tender to others. Conformity to the will of God was his favourite virtue and the subject of his daily meditation. Hence arose that resignation to all the appointments of Divine Providence which no accident seemed capable of disturbing, and that meekness which the most injurious treatment could not arouse to resentment. To aid others in acquiring this virtue of conformity, he made a collection of the different passages of Scripture in which it is enforced; and he used to comment on them with singular delight and devotion. The serenity of his mind was truly marvellous. Once only — on learning that His Holiness, Pius VI., was a prisoner in the hands of the French Revolutionists — was it observed to give way, and then but for a short time. He retired to his orator}-, and there, in presence of the blessed Sacrament, soon regained his usual placid resignation. His peace rested on God, and nothing earthly could permanently disturb it. It may readily be supposed that the claims of the poor were not disregarded by such a man as Bishop Hay. They received due attention at his hands. In the frequent visitation of his Vicariate he distributed liberal
