Chapter 8

ROCK HERMITAGES

Tibetian recluses--Christian hermits in Syria and Egypt--The Essenes and Therapeutæ--Description by Philo of the latter--Buddhist and Manichæean influence--Difference in motive--Likeness superficial-- Possible necessity for the adoption of asceticism--Instance of extravagant asceticism in Syria--Extravagances in Ireland--In England --Early European solitaries--The Beatus Höhle--Grotto of S. Cybard-- Decadence--Hermits in Languedoc--In Germany--A grocer hermit-- Hermitage at S. Maurice--The Wild Kirchlein--The cave of S. Verena at Soleure--That of Magdalen at Freiburg--Oberstein--Hermitage at Brive-- La Sainte Beaume--Sougé--Villiers--Montserrat--Subiaco--La Vernia-- Warkworth--Knaresborough--Robin Hood's stable--Roche--Anchor Church-- Royston cave--Its carvings--Kindly remembrance of the hermit--The hermit a loss