CHAPTER VIII

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