The Monk's Pardon

You brought from Spain a copy of one of those works, which reflect the greatest honor upon the genius of that immortal galaxy of great men, whose glory reached its culminating point in the reign of Philip IV. I first thought of writing the dramatic story of Alonso Cano when I saw and admired his wonderful statue of St. Francis, which it is impossible to contemplate without respect and emotion. The book therefore belongs of right to him who first made this statue known in France, and who, like the Spanish master, wields alternately the pen of the author, the pencil of the painter, and the chisel of the sculptor.