Catal. c. 88 (a very brief notice of Anthony) ; Vita S. Pauli Theb. (Opera, ed. Vallars, ii, p. 1-12). Sozom : H. E. 1. i. cap. 13 and 14. Socrat. : H. E. iv. 23, 25. II. Acta Sanctorum, sub Jan. 17 (torn. ii. p. 107 sqq.). Tillemoxt : Mem. torn. vii. p. 101-144 (St. Antoine, premier pere des solitaires d'Egypte). B[;tler (R. C.) : Lives of the Saints, sub Jan. 17. Mohler (R. 0.) : Athanasius der Grosse, p. 382-402. Xeandeb : K. G. iii. 446 sqq. (Torrey's EngL ed. ii. 229-234). Bohrixgeb : Die Kirche Christi iu Biographien, i. 2, p. 122-151. H. Rutfxer : I. c. vol. i. p. 247-302 (a condensed translation from Athanasius, with additions). Jv. Habb : Tf;^f nnr,]. A (^ \i^c^ ,.no^«-m-1j T^^i-niatn^n pn»f»»;<-^ iVg^^^Jlff^ »* The first kno'-.^n Christian hermit, as distinct from the earlier ascetics, is the fabulous Paul of Thebes, in Upper Egypt. In the twenty-second year of his age, during the De- cian jDersecution, a. d. 250, he retired to a distant cave, grew fond of the solitude, and lived there, according to the legend, ninety years, in a grotto near a spring and a palm tree, which famished him food, shade, and clothing,' until his death in 340. In his later years a raven is said to have brought him daily half a loaf, as the ravens ministered to Elijah. But no one knew of this wonderful saint, till Anthony, who under a higher impulse visited and buried him, made liim known to the world. After knocking in vain for more than an hour at the door of the hermit, who would receive the visits of beasts and reject ' Pliny counts thirty-nine different sorts of palm trees, of which the best grow in Egypt, are ever green, have thick foliage, and bear a fruit, from which in some places bread is made. 180 THIED PEEIOD. A.D. 311-590. those of men, lie was admitted at last with a smiling face, and greeted with a holy kiss. Paul had sufficient curiosity left to ask the question, whether there were any more idolaters in the world, whether new houses were built in ancient cities, and by whom the world was governed? During this interest- ing conversation, a large raven came gently flying and de- posited a doable portion of bread for the saint and his guest. " The Lord," said Paul, " ever kind and merciful, has sent us a dinner. It is now sixty years since I have daily received half a loaf, but since thou hast come, Christ has doubled the supply for his soldiers." After thanking the Giver, they sat down by the fountain ; but now tlie question arose who should break the bread ; the one urging the custom of hospitality, the other pleading the right of his friend as the elder. This ques- tion of monkish etiquette, which may have a moral significance, consumed nearly the whole day, and was settled at last