From very
unsatisfactory
materials, and as a gleaner in several poor harvest fields, John of Trittenhem was only enabled to collect a few ears of corn, and to place them in the best conjectural order he could follow,withanapologyofferedfordefectsandoversights.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, part i.
, chap, i.
, n.
56, p.
446.
" The town of Sligo, situated within the parishes of St. John's and Calry, in the barony of Carbury, is depicted on " The Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo. " Sheet 14.
*' This is shown in the parish of St.
John's, barony of Carbury, on "The Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps ^for the O'Mahony's Keating's "History County of Sligo. " Sheets 14, 15.
"""^i o 33. PP 337, 339-
Townland
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 297
Hazelwood Demesne, when the gorgeous panorama of Lough Gill meets our
enraptured vision. Cottage's or Gallagher's Island/^ of irregular triangular form, lies well out from Aghamore Bay, and it was the first point selected for
our landing. It has a rocky, uneven surface. Ascending through the woods, with which it is covered, an old church might there be seen. '7 it was covered then with heavy masses of ivy. This old church'^ is the chief feature of in- terest, on Gallagher's Island, which prominently and proudly rises over the charming Lough Gill, and lies towards its southern shore. The ruined building seems to have been surrounded, at one time, by an ancient cemetery, which has long been disused. The old church, quadrangular in shape, measures 30 feet by 18, on the outside, and 24 by 12, on the inside. The walls are 3 feet in thickness. The side walls are about 12 feet in height, and about 20 feet to the gable-ridges. It is still very perfect, so far as the masonry is con- cerned. On the south side is Dhonee mountain. Rockwood mountain also rises, on the shore-side, near this island. Gallagher's Island Cottage stands insulated, in beautifully wooded seclusion. Trees, all around the church, give a peculiarly lonely aspect, to those ruins, which are there quite em- bowered. However, Cottage Island is not the largest on Lough Gill p while, the curious old church remains thereon, if marked as to site, are not specially denoted by lettering, on the Ordnance Survey Maps. Having gratified our curiosity here, for a considerable time, a fair opportunity was afforded, to sweep with a good magnifying glass, from our vantage ground, the entire stretch of lake, with its fore-shores, and the distant outlines on the horizon. Over the southern margin of Lough Gill winds a road, close to the shore, and sheltered with some spreading woodlands, along the steep banks. All the smaller islands around were covered with fine trees ; while, the umbrageous character of the shores prevails, even to the mouth of the chief river, which pours its waters into Lough Gill. Romantic and wavy outlines of rocks and mountain ranges are interspersed, along this particular line of country. The variable July day, on which it had been our good fortune to enjoy a delightful sail over various portions of the lake's surface, was one well calculated to exhibit its varied beauties, under every imaginable form of cast and colour. Sometimes, the sun gleamed out brightly, and was reflected to great advantage over the rippling wavelets, dancing in troublous motion over Lough Gill's ruffled surface, and beating with mur- muringsoundontheislandandshoreborders. Sometimes,cloudsgathered singlyorinmasses,andspreadagloomoverthescene; while,occasional light summer showers swept across the lake. Then appeared the sun once
more. Again,thecloudsbegantogathermoreheavily,asthewindsarose to disturb the swelling waves, which happened to be gay with yachts, bearing racing pennons, and hundreds of boats were flitting along, like mere rocking
*5 This lies within the parish of St. John's was taken, by the writer, when he visited and barony of Carbury. It is to be seen on that spot, on the occasion noticed. This "The Ordnance Survey Townland Maps sketch has been transferred to the wood, for the County of Sligo. " Sheets 15, 21,
Island and Church Island were visited by the writer, in the month of July, 1868, accompanied by the Rev. William Purcell, C. C. , Metropolitan
Cathedral, and a lay-gentlemen, from Dub-
lin, also a mutual acquaintance, who then
happened to be sojourning in the same The state of the Llphin churches is not hotel at Sligo. The excursion to Lough minutely noticed. See p, 257.
'5
Gill was one thoroughly enjoyed by all,
and one to be long remembered, with very perches. It is represented on Ordnance pleasurable emotions. Survey Townland Maps for the County of
*'' Both
Gallagher's
'7 The accompanying sketch of this ruin Sligo. " Sheet 15, 21.
by William F. Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon.
^"^ The "Liber Regalis Visitationis," of
A. D. 161 5, a manuscript copy of which is in
the Royal Irish Academy's Library, states. that for the most part, the churches in the
province of Connaught were in good repair,
It contains 13 acres 3 roods and 14 "
298 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
specks of drift. It was a day, selected for Sligo's annual regatta, and the pleasure-seekers were all out from town and country, interested in, or enjoy-
ing, the aquatic sports, perhaps even more than the splendid scenery, so familiar to their gaze. Yet, such could not have been the case, so far as first visitants were concerned—especially if at all susceptible to the charms of nature's and art's highest adornments. The islands and shores around were literally alive with people, decked in their holiday costume ; the well- appointed pleasure boats, hired for the day, with their sturdy, obliging boat- men, were constantly landing at, or departing from, some favourite point of vantage ground, or of interest, for those ladies and gentlemen, who were their occupants. The farmers and their families, around the lake-shores, were able to put out in their own stout keels ; nor, were the cheerful peasants and tradespeople the least gratified, among those groups assembled. An antiquary might feel all the less distracted, in the peculiar attainment of his object, were the lake less alive, with its freightage of human beings. Yet, even he, having sympathies with the past, more than with the present, could not remain but gratified and delighted, in finding nought to interrupt his pleasure and pursuit, while no moment of time was left unoccupied, and every stroke of the oar brought, within the range of vision, something to charm the fancy, awaken the imagination, inform the mind, and warm the feelings. The waves rolled lustily, greatly ruffled by the stiff breeze, as our boat was steered intothemiddlechannel; but,therockingmotionwasevenproductiveof agreeableexcitement; for,wefeltassured,intheskillandexperienceofthe sturdy and careful men, that drew out into the deep. Our destination, this time, was to Church Island, which spread its woods before us, to the water's edge, in attractive loveliness. Soon was it reached, and we landed at a point, on the western side, in quest of the old church, which, we were in- formed, was one of great interest. After landing, we found a pathway, rather tangled by the growth of thorns and briers. It fully proved, that this solitude was rarely disturbed, by the visitor's intrusion. Strangely different,
indeed, are the tastes and habits of modern society, from those, which pre- vailed in a past age, when the pious contemplative loved to pray and wander
through scenes, so congenial to the soul of a pure and perfect religious. Church Island has its own little satellite islets, scattered chiefly between it and the northern shore, while further west and towards the head of Lough Gill, an unbroken surface of water may be seen, extending into the county of Leitrim. The shores, all around this sheet of rolling waves, were well adorned with forest trees ; and yet, at wide openings, tillage and hilly pastures relieve the prospect, with features of picturesque variety. Nothing in the kingdom of Ireland can surpass the peculiar grace and grouping of the land and wave indentations of this scene. Church Island, formerly Inis Mor, is the largest island on the surface of the enchanting Lough Gill. '° It is finely fringed with wood, although, here and there, we find some clear- ings. '^^ On it are the ruins of a very interesting old church. The cemetery near is now disused. ^^ Tradition says a nunnery was here previous to a church, erected in the townland of Clogherbeg,='3 in the parish of Calry,^*
^Abeautiful steel
wood and Lough Gill, will be found in W.
*'
=^ was not the case in Such, however,
1837. Here, the incumbent of St. John's Parish, Sligo, was accustomed to take pos-
"
session. See Lewis'
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 564.
^3 Xhe people call this CeAinpAll a
ClochAi^.
= This is probably the Vicaria de Galley,
H. Bartlett's
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 64.
engraving
of Hazel-
Scenery and Antiquities of
='
perches, as shown on the " Ordnance Sur-
Topographical Dic-
It comprises 41 acres 2 roods and 10
vey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo. " Sheet 15.
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 299
east of Sligc^'s This lies on the northern shore. '^ The old church of
Upper Island, or Church Island, on Lough Gill, is reached, through bramble- covered pathways, after hmding from the boat, on the western side, and with considerable difficulty. The church measures 48 feet by 24, on the outside. It is about 30 feet, to the ridge of the roof. The side walls are over 3 feet
Old Church on Church Island, Lough Gill.
in thickness. ^7 There is a sort of hermitage, walled off from the chapel, as may be seen in the interior, and its construction is worth a careful study of the architect and antiquary. Around the walls, there are several openings, once serving for windows, it may be supposed. Within the church, there are two low doorways to be seen, in a cross wall. One doorway is arched low, on the interior. There may be seen, on the exterior, a long lintel- headeddoorway. Embeddedinthemasonryofthecross-wallinteriorly,a curious Oghan stone, with its hieroglyphic inscription, must arrest the anti- quary's attention. The characters are almost obliterated. After some delay on this island, eventide began its approaches, and we deemed it time to steer down the lake, in the direction of Sligo. A fleet of boats happened to be moving, towards the same destination ; and, in the exciting race for home, which ensued among the hired oarsmen, it was a pleasing sight to observe a great eagerness to steer their respective craft, in advance of con- tending neighbours. It would seem, that the present saint had lived, pro-
in the deanery of Carbery, worth 30s. , and usurped by the soldier John King, a. d.
against the forces of William III. See
Harris' " Life and Reign of William III. ,"
book ix. , pp. 331, 332.
^^^ The accompanying sketch, by the
writer, was taken in 1868. It has been since transferred to wood, by the accom- plished Irish antiquary and artist, William Y. Wakcman, and it is engraved by George A. Hanlon.
1615. R. LA. ,p. 261.
"
Liber Regalis Visitatlonis," MS. ,
=5 See Thomas O'Conor's letter, dated
Grange, September 5th, 1836. Shgo Letters,
vol. i. , pp. 70, 71.
^^
In the parish of Calry, may be seen the Sod Fort, defended by Sir Teague O'Regan,
300 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
bably for some considerable period of his life, on one or other of those
islands, already described, and where we now find the remains of churches, on Lough Gill. ^^ When he died has not been exactly ascertained ; yet, we have every reason to suppose, this occurrence took place, towards the close of the sixth, or about the commencement of the seventh, century.
Article IV. —The Blessed Rabanus Maurus, or Raban IMaur,
Abbot of Fulda, and Archbishop of Mayence, Germany.
atid Ninth Centuries. ^ A very eminent prelate and prince of the Church has rightly observed, that she need not be afraid of the school, foi science has never yet demonstrated anything contrary to Faith. Again, experience has proved, that there never had been any demonstration of science, which was in contradiction with any of the revealed truth, and those who put that theory forward, put it forward, either from want of a clear knowledge of what reve- lation was, or from some mistaken opinion of their own, which they supposed to be scientific. ^ The truth of such an opinion is very clearly demonstrated, in the life and labour of the Blessed iiaban Maur, who joined with his varied and accurate clerical learning, a secular course of studies. If in advance of his period, he was a great scholar, yet, perhaps, his profane learning was not wholly free from those mistakes, which more or less attend, on most human speculations and systems. Philosophy changes its theories, inmanyinstances,andduringthecourseofages. Faithisunalterable,since from the beginning, it has been God's revealed truth. Rodolph, a priest and a monk at Fulda, was one of the Blessed Raban's disciples. ^' He is the first known to have written the Life of his highly-distinguished master. Yet, he strangely enough omits all detailed mention of Raban's parentage, race and place of birth. Such particulars, therefore, must be inferred, rather than decided, from other sources. The fragmentary biography of Rudolf is a very imperfect record of Raban Maur's Acts. He applies, chiefly to an account of the translation of saints' relics, from the city of Rome to France, during the reign of the Emperor Lewis,3 son of Charlemagne. '* In the eleventh or twelfth century lived Meginfrid, a learned monk and chronologist of Fulda, who wrote the history of this abbey and of its inmates. s Trithemius appears chiefly to have taken him as an authority, for many of those accounts he has left of Raban Maur. It is likely, Trithemius had various other authors to quote from, but we can hardly find their value as authorities. Nicolaus Serarius*^ and Christopherus Browerus^ specially write about the Blessed Raban Maur. The most complete and elaborate biography of this holy manisundoubtedlythatbyJohnofTrittenhem. ^ Yet,astheauthorhim-
s8 ** See
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
twenty-seven years, but, he wanted eight months of such a term. Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," iv, Februarii. First Life. Preface and n. (b), tomus i. , p. 512.
-» This on the 28th of great Emperor died,
January, a. D. 814.
s See "In Chronico Hirsaugiensi," A. D.
land," vol. ii. , p. 254. '
Article IV. — See inaugural address of His Eminence Henry Edward Manning,
Cardinal
Archbishop
of Westminster, at
the opening of the Catholic "Academia,"
in Manchester, January loth, 1876.
'
Rudolf survived his master, about eight or nine years, his death being assigned to
MC.
^ *' See
Fulda.
*'
Mogunticarum Rerum," lib. iv.
the viii. of the March
with the 8th of the month, A. D. 865, accord- ing to the Annals of Fulda.
3 This monarch immediately succeeded his father, and died on the 2ist of May, A. D. 840. Rudolf states, that he reigned
^ See "
Ides, corresponding
Fuidensium,'' lib. ii. , cap. 13, lib. iii. , cap. 13, 14, and lib. iv,, when treating about the fifth Abbot of
Antiquitalum
^
Reverendissimo in Christo Patri, Illustris-
In the Prologue, this life is inscribed :
\Eighth
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 301
self complains, he wrote just six hundred and fifty-nine years,^ after the Blessed Raban had departed from this world ;'° so that many of his subject's
great actions had passed away to oblivion, during this lapse of time. For, although, many previous writers had left various eulogies on the holiness and
learning of Raban, still no one among them had composed a complete and a continuous life.
From very unsatisfactory materials, and as a gleaner in several poor harvest fields, John of Trittenhem was only enabled to collect a few ears of corn, and to place them in the best conjectural order he could follow,withanapologyofferedfordefectsandoversights. " ToAlbert,then
Archbishop of Mayence, at whose instigation this biography had been com- posed," the author submits it for correction and patronage. Although a
very interesting record, Tritheminus has undoubtedly fallen into several errors of statement, corrected by other writers. At the 4th of February, the BollandistshavegiventwoLivesofSt. Raban,ArchbishopofMayence. A
in ten sections commentary precedes.
The first Life'3 contains nine — chapters
and
—books the A second Life'^ is written in three
fifty-one paragraphs. firstbookcomprisesfivechaptersan—dtwenty-eightparagraphs thesecond four chapters and ten paragraphs while the third book contains four
chapters and seventeen paragraphs. ^s The learned Benedictine Father,
John Mabillon, evidently loves to dwell on the virtues and accomplishments of Raban Maur, who was so distinguished an ornament of his order. Where- fore, not alone in his Acts of the Benedictine Saints ;'^ but, likewise, in his great history of the order,^7 are there references made to illustrate the Acts of this great man. Although Trithemius numbers the illustrious Rabanus Maurus among the saints and canonized persons,'^ besides relating that his tomb was famous for miracles, ^9 and that special honours were paid to his remains on the occasion of their translation to Saxony, in the year 1515, while a certain manuscript, containing a catalogue of the patron saints^° of thecityofMayence,styleshimSt. Raban; yet,theBollandistsprefertocall him a Beatus. '^'' It was not known, that at Fulda, an ecclesiastical office had
simoque Principi et Domino, D. Alberto, ^3 This was written by Raban's disciple, Sanctae Moguntinae Sedis, et Magdebur- Rodulf.
gensis Ecclesise Archiepiscopo, Sacri Ro- '* This Life was written by John of Trit-
mani Imperii Principi Electori, per Ger- tenhem. Abbot of Spanheim. In referring
maniam Archicancellario atque Primati,
Halberstatensis Ecclesise Administratori,
Brandeburgensium Marchioni, Stetinensium,
Pomeranorum, Cassubiorum, et Sclauorum
Duci, Nurenbergensium Burgravio, ac Ru-
giorum Principi, Joannes Trithemius, Abbas Monasterii S. Jacobi Maioris Apostoli, in
suburbanis Herbipolensis civitatis, quondam vero Spanheimensis, Ordinis S. Benedicti, quicquid ad Deum oratio praeualet pecca- toris. "
9 Hence, he wrote St. Raban's Life A. d. 15 1 5, and he dates the Prologue, on the 6th of November.
^° Computed to be A. D. 856.
" Incidentally he complains, about the Germans neglecting the memories of their great saints and men, and their want of cul- tivating historic studies. From such a charge, however, in an elaborate eulogy, he exempts the learned Archbishop of Mayence, to whom his biography is dedicated.
" When Trithemius, formerly Abbot of
Spanheim, became Abbot of Herbipolis, he was asked to write Raban's Life.
to either, they are distinguished as the first and second Life.
^s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , iv. Februarii. Ue S. Rabano Maiiro, Archi- episcopo Moguntino in Germania, pp. 5CX) to 538.
'° See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene- dicti," tomus ii. , saec. iv. , pp. I et seq.
Annales Or- dinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. and iii.
'^ in various passages of
'^ See " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. 199.
^^ See Vita B. Mauri Rabani, lib. iii. ,
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , pp. 537, 538.
cap. iv. , subs. 13, 17.
=° While Raban was alive, Amolo, Bishop
"
man, and a Catholic bishop ;" Ilincmar of
of Lyons, calls hini
a good and a learned
Rheims styles him
*'
a venerable archbishop,
a zealous father in holy religion, and a Ca-
tholic writer;" while, Ermanric says, he
was " a most holy man, and most skilled in
every art. "
=' chronicle.
Thus is he styled, by Frodoard, in his
"
302 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4. .
been recited in his honour, although several writers agreed to mention him,
as a saint. '^ Thus, Mabillon has him enrolled, and classed, among the dis-
tinguished and holy men of his order. =^3 The name is frequently found
aspirated to Hrabanus f'> and this seems to have been his own favourite way
for spelling it. ^s A great difference of opinion has prevailed, regarding the exact place of the Blessed Raban's birth. Most of our modern writers
appear to agree, that Germany best deserves to claim the honour of his
nativity; while,manydeemMayenceorMaintz,=^^tohavebeenthecity,in which he first saw the light, and had been baptized. ^7 Otlier writers con-
tend, that he was a Briton, and an Anglo-Saxon monk,=^^ before he came to FranceandGermany; but,someoftheirobservations,inreferencetohim,
areeasilyrefuted,byexaminingthefactsofhistory. Again,thereareauthors, who deem St. Raban Maur to have been a Scotus. =^9 The Scotch writers,3° as a matter of course, in the latter case, claim him to have been one of their countrymen. However, some of our Irish writers will not allow this easy appropriation ; for, they rightly infer, that if other proof of Raban's nativity be wanting, Ireland may fairly claim so distinguished a Scotus as her son. If born in Ireland, at all, it seems to us, he must have left it, when a mere youth; but,thematterisextremelydoubtful,andpendingfurtherinvestiga-
^'^
This is remarked, by Browerus, in some comments on the epitaph of Raban, num. 6.
'3 He calls Raban, "prseclarum ecclesiae lumen," and "immo astris supernis inser- tum. "—See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii,, pp. 52, 53.
= See the various tracts, especially the Epistles he composed, to which his name is found affixed.
versity of Paris, founded in his time, cele-
brated through his learning.
^9 The foundation for this opinion is thought
to be, that sentence of Vincentius Bellova-
=^5 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxix. , sec. xxvii. , p. 472.
clarus, sapientise studium de Roma Parisios
transtulit, quod illuc quondam e Graecia
translatum fuerat a Romanis : fueruntque Parisiis Fundatores hujus studii quatuor monachi Bedoe discipuli, Rabanus et Alcui- nus,ClaudiusetJoannesScotus. " Again, Robertus Gaguinus writes: " Delati naue ex Scotia Claudius et Joannes, Rabanus quoque et Alcunus, ex Venerabilis Bedae discipulis," &c. See "De Rebus Fran-
^ See Rev. S. Baring- Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 91.
=7 This supposition rests chiefly on the
authority of two lines, found in the epitaph,
which, it has be—en stated, he composed corum," lib. iv. This latter writer lived,
before his death
the
Robertus Gaguinus' statement. Thus,
Hector Boetius, in "Historia Scotorum,"
lib. "DeRebusScotorum," x. , John Lesley,
lib. v. , at the reign of Donald V. , make him
**
:
Vrbe quidem hac genitus sum, ac sacro fonte renatus ;
year 1500.
In Fulda didici. "
post
hoec
dogma
sacrum
a Scotchman. Thomas Dempster boldly Still, the authorship of this epitaph may asserts, he was born in Scotland, where he
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037, p. 545. David Came-
— in the first
became a monk of Melrose. See =^ "
—be written well be questioned, although it
as often happens in such cases person.
Ptolemy of Lucca, a Dominican, lived about the year 1270, and Geruasius Ricco-
rarius, in Menologium Scotorum," places him among the Scottish saints at the 4th of
baldus
who lived about A. D.
Raphael Volaterranus, for particulars he demife Parisiensis fundatoris. " Bishop
Ferrariensis,
a canon of
Ravenna,
January :
Abbatis, Archiepiscopi Moguntini
13CX),
are cited
by
—et Aca-
"
logic," lib. xviii. , xix. , xxii. Yet, some of p. 189. It is incorrectly stated, that Demp-
gives, regarding St. Raban, in "Anthropo- Forbes'
Kalendars of the Scottish Saints,"
these statements are clearly erroneous ; as, for instance, that Raban was a disciple of Venerable Bede, that he was a Prsesul of Meaux, in the time of Lewis the Pious, and of Gregory V. , and that he made the Uni-
ster's opinion is supported by the authority of Wion, Josias Simlerus, Gesnerus, Lilius
Giraldus, Ferrariensis, Balaeus, Zabarella, and other writers, who are not named. This affirmation, the Bollandists refute.
"
cap. 173, when treating about Albinus
censis,
Speculi Historialis," lib. xxiii. ,
Flaccus, he writes :
'*
Scientia vitaque prae-
in
3° They seem chiefly to have followed
*' Fuldoe obitus Hrabani Mauri
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
tion, we should feel rather loth to pass his feast over in silence, and to disconnect him from the many other holy and learned Irishmen, who were
hiscontemporariesandhisfriends,ontheContinentofEurope. According to the authors of the Literary History of France3^ the parents of Raban are not
known by name, although said to have been distinguished for their nobility of descent. 32 We only know, for a certainty, that he had a brother called Toutin,andthatbothhadanephewGondramne. 33 Now,Trithemiushas given Raban the surname of Magnentius,34 because he supposed Ruthard belonged to the family of the Magnances. Instead of Magnentius, he is called Magnetius, by Ademar of Chabanois and by Sigebert, probably for a differentreasonfromthatgivenbyJohnofTrittenhem. Hisbirthisreferred to the year 788,35 or even to 795,2^ but, where it actually took place seems to have hitherto baffled the researches of his various biographers. Although Trithemius states,37 that St. Rabanus Maurus was born in the town of Fulda,
intheterritoryofBuconica; yet,theBollandistsaver,38thatatthetimeof his birth, there was no town at Fulda, and, that it seems more probable, he was born at Mayence, while, his parents were French in origin. This is supposed, rather than proved. We are informed, likewise, that from a very early age, Raban manifested a precocious sanctity, and most amiable dis- positions. His mother, in particular, is said to have fostered these pious indications, and to have become his earliest instructor. Not only do some of the Scotch Writers claim Raban Maur for their countryman, but they in- troduce accounts, regarding him, which conflict entirely with chronology, and even with probability. John Major states, that the Scots, Clement, John, Raban and Alcuin, accompanied a certain Guillermus, their relative, and a large number of Scots, in a representative capacity from Achaius,39
"
3* See
ou I'on traite de I'Origine et du Progres, de la Decadence et du Retablissement des Sciences parmi les Gaulois et parmi les Fran9ois ; Du goiit et du genie des uns et des autres pour les Letres en chaque Siecle ; De leurs anciennes Ecoles ; De I'etablisse- ment des Universites en France ; Des princi- paux Colleges ; Des Academies des Sciences et des Belles Letres ; Des meilleueres Biblio- theques anciennes et modernes ; Des plus celebres Imprimeries ; et de tout ce qui a un Rapport particulier a la Literature.
Avec les Eloges historiques des Gaulois et des Fran9ois qui s'y sont fait quelque repu- tation ; Le Catalogue et la Chronologie de leurs Ecrits ; Des Remarques historiques et critiques sur les principaux Ouvrages ; Le denombrement des differentes editions ; Le tout justifie par les citations des Auteurs originaux. Par des Religieux Benedictins de la Congregation de S. Maur. Nouvelle Edition, entierement conforme a la prece- dente, par M. Paulin Paris, Membre de rinstitut, tome v. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 151. A Paris, 1865 et j^^. , inxvii. tomes, 4to.
32 Yet, Trithemius says, his father was
called Ruthardus, or Ruthard, and his
mother was called Aldegundis,or Aldegonde. But, no other writer, before him, has been found to make a like statement.
33 The latter was a chaplain to Lewis,
Histoire Literaire de la France,"
King of Germany. See ibid.
34 This, too, has been found in an anony-
mous tract at Molk, and it has been used in the collective edition of his works.
3S Natalis Alexander, in his " Historia Ecclesiastica," saec. ix. , pars i. , p. 224, and parsii. , p. 575, has an account of Raban, and a special dissertation relating to him. Trithemius states, that Raban was born on the iv. Nones of February, a. d. 788. This was the eleventh Roman Indiction, which was in the twentieth year of Charlemagne's reign, and the seventeenth year of Pope Adrian I. See " Vita Rabani Mauri," lib. >. , cap. i. , sec. 5. See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , p. 524.
**
3^ According to Nicolaus Saderus, De
Rebus Moguntinis," lib. iv. , who makes
him Abbot of Fulda, a. d. 825, when he
was only thirty years of age.
37 See "Vita S. Rabani Mauri," lib. i. ,
cap.
" The town of Sligo, situated within the parishes of St. John's and Calry, in the barony of Carbury, is depicted on " The Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo. " Sheet 14.
*' This is shown in the parish of St.
John's, barony of Carbury, on "The Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps ^for the O'Mahony's Keating's "History County of Sligo. " Sheets 14, 15.
"""^i o 33. PP 337, 339-
Townland
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 297
Hazelwood Demesne, when the gorgeous panorama of Lough Gill meets our
enraptured vision. Cottage's or Gallagher's Island/^ of irregular triangular form, lies well out from Aghamore Bay, and it was the first point selected for
our landing. It has a rocky, uneven surface. Ascending through the woods, with which it is covered, an old church might there be seen. '7 it was covered then with heavy masses of ivy. This old church'^ is the chief feature of in- terest, on Gallagher's Island, which prominently and proudly rises over the charming Lough Gill, and lies towards its southern shore. The ruined building seems to have been surrounded, at one time, by an ancient cemetery, which has long been disused. The old church, quadrangular in shape, measures 30 feet by 18, on the outside, and 24 by 12, on the inside. The walls are 3 feet in thickness. The side walls are about 12 feet in height, and about 20 feet to the gable-ridges. It is still very perfect, so far as the masonry is con- cerned. On the south side is Dhonee mountain. Rockwood mountain also rises, on the shore-side, near this island. Gallagher's Island Cottage stands insulated, in beautifully wooded seclusion. Trees, all around the church, give a peculiarly lonely aspect, to those ruins, which are there quite em- bowered. However, Cottage Island is not the largest on Lough Gill p while, the curious old church remains thereon, if marked as to site, are not specially denoted by lettering, on the Ordnance Survey Maps. Having gratified our curiosity here, for a considerable time, a fair opportunity was afforded, to sweep with a good magnifying glass, from our vantage ground, the entire stretch of lake, with its fore-shores, and the distant outlines on the horizon. Over the southern margin of Lough Gill winds a road, close to the shore, and sheltered with some spreading woodlands, along the steep banks. All the smaller islands around were covered with fine trees ; while, the umbrageous character of the shores prevails, even to the mouth of the chief river, which pours its waters into Lough Gill. Romantic and wavy outlines of rocks and mountain ranges are interspersed, along this particular line of country. The variable July day, on which it had been our good fortune to enjoy a delightful sail over various portions of the lake's surface, was one well calculated to exhibit its varied beauties, under every imaginable form of cast and colour. Sometimes, the sun gleamed out brightly, and was reflected to great advantage over the rippling wavelets, dancing in troublous motion over Lough Gill's ruffled surface, and beating with mur- muringsoundontheislandandshoreborders. Sometimes,cloudsgathered singlyorinmasses,andspreadagloomoverthescene; while,occasional light summer showers swept across the lake. Then appeared the sun once
more. Again,thecloudsbegantogathermoreheavily,asthewindsarose to disturb the swelling waves, which happened to be gay with yachts, bearing racing pennons, and hundreds of boats were flitting along, like mere rocking
*5 This lies within the parish of St. John's was taken, by the writer, when he visited and barony of Carbury. It is to be seen on that spot, on the occasion noticed. This "The Ordnance Survey Townland Maps sketch has been transferred to the wood, for the County of Sligo. " Sheets 15, 21,
Island and Church Island were visited by the writer, in the month of July, 1868, accompanied by the Rev. William Purcell, C. C. , Metropolitan
Cathedral, and a lay-gentlemen, from Dub-
lin, also a mutual acquaintance, who then
happened to be sojourning in the same The state of the Llphin churches is not hotel at Sligo. The excursion to Lough minutely noticed. See p, 257.
'5
Gill was one thoroughly enjoyed by all,
and one to be long remembered, with very perches. It is represented on Ordnance pleasurable emotions. Survey Townland Maps for the County of
*'' Both
Gallagher's
'7 The accompanying sketch of this ruin Sligo. " Sheet 15, 21.
by William F. Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon.
^"^ The "Liber Regalis Visitationis," of
A. D. 161 5, a manuscript copy of which is in
the Royal Irish Academy's Library, states. that for the most part, the churches in the
province of Connaught were in good repair,
It contains 13 acres 3 roods and 14 "
298 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
specks of drift. It was a day, selected for Sligo's annual regatta, and the pleasure-seekers were all out from town and country, interested in, or enjoy-
ing, the aquatic sports, perhaps even more than the splendid scenery, so familiar to their gaze. Yet, such could not have been the case, so far as first visitants were concerned—especially if at all susceptible to the charms of nature's and art's highest adornments. The islands and shores around were literally alive with people, decked in their holiday costume ; the well- appointed pleasure boats, hired for the day, with their sturdy, obliging boat- men, were constantly landing at, or departing from, some favourite point of vantage ground, or of interest, for those ladies and gentlemen, who were their occupants. The farmers and their families, around the lake-shores, were able to put out in their own stout keels ; nor, were the cheerful peasants and tradespeople the least gratified, among those groups assembled. An antiquary might feel all the less distracted, in the peculiar attainment of his object, were the lake less alive, with its freightage of human beings. Yet, even he, having sympathies with the past, more than with the present, could not remain but gratified and delighted, in finding nought to interrupt his pleasure and pursuit, while no moment of time was left unoccupied, and every stroke of the oar brought, within the range of vision, something to charm the fancy, awaken the imagination, inform the mind, and warm the feelings. The waves rolled lustily, greatly ruffled by the stiff breeze, as our boat was steered intothemiddlechannel; but,therockingmotionwasevenproductiveof agreeableexcitement; for,wefeltassured,intheskillandexperienceofthe sturdy and careful men, that drew out into the deep. Our destination, this time, was to Church Island, which spread its woods before us, to the water's edge, in attractive loveliness. Soon was it reached, and we landed at a point, on the western side, in quest of the old church, which, we were in- formed, was one of great interest. After landing, we found a pathway, rather tangled by the growth of thorns and briers. It fully proved, that this solitude was rarely disturbed, by the visitor's intrusion. Strangely different,
indeed, are the tastes and habits of modern society, from those, which pre- vailed in a past age, when the pious contemplative loved to pray and wander
through scenes, so congenial to the soul of a pure and perfect religious. Church Island has its own little satellite islets, scattered chiefly between it and the northern shore, while further west and towards the head of Lough Gill, an unbroken surface of water may be seen, extending into the county of Leitrim. The shores, all around this sheet of rolling waves, were well adorned with forest trees ; and yet, at wide openings, tillage and hilly pastures relieve the prospect, with features of picturesque variety. Nothing in the kingdom of Ireland can surpass the peculiar grace and grouping of the land and wave indentations of this scene. Church Island, formerly Inis Mor, is the largest island on the surface of the enchanting Lough Gill. '° It is finely fringed with wood, although, here and there, we find some clear- ings. '^^ On it are the ruins of a very interesting old church. The cemetery near is now disused. ^^ Tradition says a nunnery was here previous to a church, erected in the townland of Clogherbeg,='3 in the parish of Calry,^*
^Abeautiful steel
wood and Lough Gill, will be found in W.
*'
=^ was not the case in Such, however,
1837. Here, the incumbent of St. John's Parish, Sligo, was accustomed to take pos-
"
session. See Lewis'
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 564.
^3 Xhe people call this CeAinpAll a
ClochAi^.
= This is probably the Vicaria de Galley,
H. Bartlett's
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 64.
engraving
of Hazel-
Scenery and Antiquities of
='
perches, as shown on the " Ordnance Sur-
Topographical Dic-
It comprises 41 acres 2 roods and 10
vey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo. " Sheet 15.
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 299
east of Sligc^'s This lies on the northern shore. '^ The old church of
Upper Island, or Church Island, on Lough Gill, is reached, through bramble- covered pathways, after hmding from the boat, on the western side, and with considerable difficulty. The church measures 48 feet by 24, on the outside. It is about 30 feet, to the ridge of the roof. The side walls are over 3 feet
Old Church on Church Island, Lough Gill.
in thickness. ^7 There is a sort of hermitage, walled off from the chapel, as may be seen in the interior, and its construction is worth a careful study of the architect and antiquary. Around the walls, there are several openings, once serving for windows, it may be supposed. Within the church, there are two low doorways to be seen, in a cross wall. One doorway is arched low, on the interior. There may be seen, on the exterior, a long lintel- headeddoorway. Embeddedinthemasonryofthecross-wallinteriorly,a curious Oghan stone, with its hieroglyphic inscription, must arrest the anti- quary's attention. The characters are almost obliterated. After some delay on this island, eventide began its approaches, and we deemed it time to steer down the lake, in the direction of Sligo. A fleet of boats happened to be moving, towards the same destination ; and, in the exciting race for home, which ensued among the hired oarsmen, it was a pleasing sight to observe a great eagerness to steer their respective craft, in advance of con- tending neighbours. It would seem, that the present saint had lived, pro-
in the deanery of Carbery, worth 30s. , and usurped by the soldier John King, a. d.
against the forces of William III. See
Harris' " Life and Reign of William III. ,"
book ix. , pp. 331, 332.
^^^ The accompanying sketch, by the
writer, was taken in 1868. It has been since transferred to wood, by the accom- plished Irish antiquary and artist, William Y. Wakcman, and it is engraved by George A. Hanlon.
1615. R. LA. ,p. 261.
"
Liber Regalis Visitatlonis," MS. ,
=5 See Thomas O'Conor's letter, dated
Grange, September 5th, 1836. Shgo Letters,
vol. i. , pp. 70, 71.
^^
In the parish of Calry, may be seen the Sod Fort, defended by Sir Teague O'Regan,
300 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
bably for some considerable period of his life, on one or other of those
islands, already described, and where we now find the remains of churches, on Lough Gill. ^^ When he died has not been exactly ascertained ; yet, we have every reason to suppose, this occurrence took place, towards the close of the sixth, or about the commencement of the seventh, century.
Article IV. —The Blessed Rabanus Maurus, or Raban IMaur,
Abbot of Fulda, and Archbishop of Mayence, Germany.
atid Ninth Centuries. ^ A very eminent prelate and prince of the Church has rightly observed, that she need not be afraid of the school, foi science has never yet demonstrated anything contrary to Faith. Again, experience has proved, that there never had been any demonstration of science, which was in contradiction with any of the revealed truth, and those who put that theory forward, put it forward, either from want of a clear knowledge of what reve- lation was, or from some mistaken opinion of their own, which they supposed to be scientific. ^ The truth of such an opinion is very clearly demonstrated, in the life and labour of the Blessed iiaban Maur, who joined with his varied and accurate clerical learning, a secular course of studies. If in advance of his period, he was a great scholar, yet, perhaps, his profane learning was not wholly free from those mistakes, which more or less attend, on most human speculations and systems. Philosophy changes its theories, inmanyinstances,andduringthecourseofages. Faithisunalterable,since from the beginning, it has been God's revealed truth. Rodolph, a priest and a monk at Fulda, was one of the Blessed Raban's disciples. ^' He is the first known to have written the Life of his highly-distinguished master. Yet, he strangely enough omits all detailed mention of Raban's parentage, race and place of birth. Such particulars, therefore, must be inferred, rather than decided, from other sources. The fragmentary biography of Rudolf is a very imperfect record of Raban Maur's Acts. He applies, chiefly to an account of the translation of saints' relics, from the city of Rome to France, during the reign of the Emperor Lewis,3 son of Charlemagne. '* In the eleventh or twelfth century lived Meginfrid, a learned monk and chronologist of Fulda, who wrote the history of this abbey and of its inmates. s Trithemius appears chiefly to have taken him as an authority, for many of those accounts he has left of Raban Maur. It is likely, Trithemius had various other authors to quote from, but we can hardly find their value as authorities. Nicolaus Serarius*^ and Christopherus Browerus^ specially write about the Blessed Raban Maur. The most complete and elaborate biography of this holy manisundoubtedlythatbyJohnofTrittenhem. ^ Yet,astheauthorhim-
s8 ** See
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
twenty-seven years, but, he wanted eight months of such a term. Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," iv, Februarii. First Life. Preface and n. (b), tomus i. , p. 512.
-» This on the 28th of great Emperor died,
January, a. D. 814.
s See "In Chronico Hirsaugiensi," A. D.
land," vol. ii. , p. 254. '
Article IV. — See inaugural address of His Eminence Henry Edward Manning,
Cardinal
Archbishop
of Westminster, at
the opening of the Catholic "Academia,"
in Manchester, January loth, 1876.
'
Rudolf survived his master, about eight or nine years, his death being assigned to
MC.
^ *' See
Fulda.
*'
Mogunticarum Rerum," lib. iv.
the viii. of the March
with the 8th of the month, A. D. 865, accord- ing to the Annals of Fulda.
3 This monarch immediately succeeded his father, and died on the 2ist of May, A. D. 840. Rudolf states, that he reigned
^ See "
Ides, corresponding
Fuidensium,'' lib. ii. , cap. 13, lib. iii. , cap. 13, 14, and lib. iv,, when treating about the fifth Abbot of
Antiquitalum
^
Reverendissimo in Christo Patri, Illustris-
In the Prologue, this life is inscribed :
\Eighth
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 301
self complains, he wrote just six hundred and fifty-nine years,^ after the Blessed Raban had departed from this world ;'° so that many of his subject's
great actions had passed away to oblivion, during this lapse of time. For, although, many previous writers had left various eulogies on the holiness and
learning of Raban, still no one among them had composed a complete and a continuous life.
From very unsatisfactory materials, and as a gleaner in several poor harvest fields, John of Trittenhem was only enabled to collect a few ears of corn, and to place them in the best conjectural order he could follow,withanapologyofferedfordefectsandoversights. " ToAlbert,then
Archbishop of Mayence, at whose instigation this biography had been com- posed," the author submits it for correction and patronage. Although a
very interesting record, Tritheminus has undoubtedly fallen into several errors of statement, corrected by other writers. At the 4th of February, the BollandistshavegiventwoLivesofSt. Raban,ArchbishopofMayence. A
in ten sections commentary precedes.
The first Life'3 contains nine — chapters
and
—books the A second Life'^ is written in three
fifty-one paragraphs. firstbookcomprisesfivechaptersan—dtwenty-eightparagraphs thesecond four chapters and ten paragraphs while the third book contains four
chapters and seventeen paragraphs. ^s The learned Benedictine Father,
John Mabillon, evidently loves to dwell on the virtues and accomplishments of Raban Maur, who was so distinguished an ornament of his order. Where- fore, not alone in his Acts of the Benedictine Saints ;'^ but, likewise, in his great history of the order,^7 are there references made to illustrate the Acts of this great man. Although Trithemius numbers the illustrious Rabanus Maurus among the saints and canonized persons,'^ besides relating that his tomb was famous for miracles, ^9 and that special honours were paid to his remains on the occasion of their translation to Saxony, in the year 1515, while a certain manuscript, containing a catalogue of the patron saints^° of thecityofMayence,styleshimSt. Raban; yet,theBollandistsprefertocall him a Beatus. '^'' It was not known, that at Fulda, an ecclesiastical office had
simoque Principi et Domino, D. Alberto, ^3 This was written by Raban's disciple, Sanctae Moguntinae Sedis, et Magdebur- Rodulf.
gensis Ecclesise Archiepiscopo, Sacri Ro- '* This Life was written by John of Trit-
mani Imperii Principi Electori, per Ger- tenhem. Abbot of Spanheim. In referring
maniam Archicancellario atque Primati,
Halberstatensis Ecclesise Administratori,
Brandeburgensium Marchioni, Stetinensium,
Pomeranorum, Cassubiorum, et Sclauorum
Duci, Nurenbergensium Burgravio, ac Ru-
giorum Principi, Joannes Trithemius, Abbas Monasterii S. Jacobi Maioris Apostoli, in
suburbanis Herbipolensis civitatis, quondam vero Spanheimensis, Ordinis S. Benedicti, quicquid ad Deum oratio praeualet pecca- toris. "
9 Hence, he wrote St. Raban's Life A. d. 15 1 5, and he dates the Prologue, on the 6th of November.
^° Computed to be A. D. 856.
" Incidentally he complains, about the Germans neglecting the memories of their great saints and men, and their want of cul- tivating historic studies. From such a charge, however, in an elaborate eulogy, he exempts the learned Archbishop of Mayence, to whom his biography is dedicated.
" When Trithemius, formerly Abbot of
Spanheim, became Abbot of Herbipolis, he was asked to write Raban's Life.
to either, they are distinguished as the first and second Life.
^s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , iv. Februarii. Ue S. Rabano Maiiro, Archi- episcopo Moguntino in Germania, pp. 5CX) to 538.
'° See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene- dicti," tomus ii. , saec. iv. , pp. I et seq.
Annales Or- dinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. and iii.
'^ in various passages of
'^ See " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. 199.
^^ See Vita B. Mauri Rabani, lib. iii. ,
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , pp. 537, 538.
cap. iv. , subs. 13, 17.
=° While Raban was alive, Amolo, Bishop
"
man, and a Catholic bishop ;" Ilincmar of
of Lyons, calls hini
a good and a learned
Rheims styles him
*'
a venerable archbishop,
a zealous father in holy religion, and a Ca-
tholic writer;" while, Ermanric says, he
was " a most holy man, and most skilled in
every art. "
=' chronicle.
Thus is he styled, by Frodoard, in his
"
302 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4. .
been recited in his honour, although several writers agreed to mention him,
as a saint. '^ Thus, Mabillon has him enrolled, and classed, among the dis-
tinguished and holy men of his order. =^3 The name is frequently found
aspirated to Hrabanus f'> and this seems to have been his own favourite way
for spelling it. ^s A great difference of opinion has prevailed, regarding the exact place of the Blessed Raban's birth. Most of our modern writers
appear to agree, that Germany best deserves to claim the honour of his
nativity; while,manydeemMayenceorMaintz,=^^tohavebeenthecity,in which he first saw the light, and had been baptized. ^7 Otlier writers con-
tend, that he was a Briton, and an Anglo-Saxon monk,=^^ before he came to FranceandGermany; but,someoftheirobservations,inreferencetohim,
areeasilyrefuted,byexaminingthefactsofhistory. Again,thereareauthors, who deem St. Raban Maur to have been a Scotus. =^9 The Scotch writers,3° as a matter of course, in the latter case, claim him to have been one of their countrymen. However, some of our Irish writers will not allow this easy appropriation ; for, they rightly infer, that if other proof of Raban's nativity be wanting, Ireland may fairly claim so distinguished a Scotus as her son. If born in Ireland, at all, it seems to us, he must have left it, when a mere youth; but,thematterisextremelydoubtful,andpendingfurtherinvestiga-
^'^
This is remarked, by Browerus, in some comments on the epitaph of Raban, num. 6.
'3 He calls Raban, "prseclarum ecclesiae lumen," and "immo astris supernis inser- tum. "—See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii,, pp. 52, 53.
= See the various tracts, especially the Epistles he composed, to which his name is found affixed.
versity of Paris, founded in his time, cele-
brated through his learning.
^9 The foundation for this opinion is thought
to be, that sentence of Vincentius Bellova-
=^5 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxix. , sec. xxvii. , p. 472.
clarus, sapientise studium de Roma Parisios
transtulit, quod illuc quondam e Graecia
translatum fuerat a Romanis : fueruntque Parisiis Fundatores hujus studii quatuor monachi Bedoe discipuli, Rabanus et Alcui- nus,ClaudiusetJoannesScotus. " Again, Robertus Gaguinus writes: " Delati naue ex Scotia Claudius et Joannes, Rabanus quoque et Alcunus, ex Venerabilis Bedae discipulis," &c. See "De Rebus Fran-
^ See Rev. S. Baring- Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 91.
=7 This supposition rests chiefly on the
authority of two lines, found in the epitaph,
which, it has be—en stated, he composed corum," lib. iv. This latter writer lived,
before his death
the
Robertus Gaguinus' statement. Thus,
Hector Boetius, in "Historia Scotorum,"
lib. "DeRebusScotorum," x. , John Lesley,
lib. v. , at the reign of Donald V. , make him
**
:
Vrbe quidem hac genitus sum, ac sacro fonte renatus ;
year 1500.
In Fulda didici. "
post
hoec
dogma
sacrum
a Scotchman. Thomas Dempster boldly Still, the authorship of this epitaph may asserts, he was born in Scotland, where he
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037, p. 545. David Came-
— in the first
became a monk of Melrose. See =^ "
—be written well be questioned, although it
as often happens in such cases person.
Ptolemy of Lucca, a Dominican, lived about the year 1270, and Geruasius Ricco-
rarius, in Menologium Scotorum," places him among the Scottish saints at the 4th of
baldus
who lived about A. D.
Raphael Volaterranus, for particulars he demife Parisiensis fundatoris. " Bishop
Ferrariensis,
a canon of
Ravenna,
January :
Abbatis, Archiepiscopi Moguntini
13CX),
are cited
by
—et Aca-
"
logic," lib. xviii. , xix. , xxii. Yet, some of p. 189. It is incorrectly stated, that Demp-
gives, regarding St. Raban, in "Anthropo- Forbes'
Kalendars of the Scottish Saints,"
these statements are clearly erroneous ; as, for instance, that Raban was a disciple of Venerable Bede, that he was a Prsesul of Meaux, in the time of Lewis the Pious, and of Gregory V. , and that he made the Uni-
ster's opinion is supported by the authority of Wion, Josias Simlerus, Gesnerus, Lilius
Giraldus, Ferrariensis, Balaeus, Zabarella, and other writers, who are not named. This affirmation, the Bollandists refute.
"
cap. 173, when treating about Albinus
censis,
Speculi Historialis," lib. xxiii. ,
Flaccus, he writes :
'*
Scientia vitaque prae-
in
3° They seem chiefly to have followed
*' Fuldoe obitus Hrabani Mauri
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
tion, we should feel rather loth to pass his feast over in silence, and to disconnect him from the many other holy and learned Irishmen, who were
hiscontemporariesandhisfriends,ontheContinentofEurope. According to the authors of the Literary History of France3^ the parents of Raban are not
known by name, although said to have been distinguished for their nobility of descent. 32 We only know, for a certainty, that he had a brother called Toutin,andthatbothhadanephewGondramne. 33 Now,Trithemiushas given Raban the surname of Magnentius,34 because he supposed Ruthard belonged to the family of the Magnances. Instead of Magnentius, he is called Magnetius, by Ademar of Chabanois and by Sigebert, probably for a differentreasonfromthatgivenbyJohnofTrittenhem. Hisbirthisreferred to the year 788,35 or even to 795,2^ but, where it actually took place seems to have hitherto baffled the researches of his various biographers. Although Trithemius states,37 that St. Rabanus Maurus was born in the town of Fulda,
intheterritoryofBuconica; yet,theBollandistsaver,38thatatthetimeof his birth, there was no town at Fulda, and, that it seems more probable, he was born at Mayence, while, his parents were French in origin. This is supposed, rather than proved. We are informed, likewise, that from a very early age, Raban manifested a precocious sanctity, and most amiable dis- positions. His mother, in particular, is said to have fostered these pious indications, and to have become his earliest instructor. Not only do some of the Scotch Writers claim Raban Maur for their countryman, but they in- troduce accounts, regarding him, which conflict entirely with chronology, and even with probability. John Major states, that the Scots, Clement, John, Raban and Alcuin, accompanied a certain Guillermus, their relative, and a large number of Scots, in a representative capacity from Achaius,39
"
3* See
ou I'on traite de I'Origine et du Progres, de la Decadence et du Retablissement des Sciences parmi les Gaulois et parmi les Fran9ois ; Du goiit et du genie des uns et des autres pour les Letres en chaque Siecle ; De leurs anciennes Ecoles ; De I'etablisse- ment des Universites en France ; Des princi- paux Colleges ; Des Academies des Sciences et des Belles Letres ; Des meilleueres Biblio- theques anciennes et modernes ; Des plus celebres Imprimeries ; et de tout ce qui a un Rapport particulier a la Literature.
Avec les Eloges historiques des Gaulois et des Fran9ois qui s'y sont fait quelque repu- tation ; Le Catalogue et la Chronologie de leurs Ecrits ; Des Remarques historiques et critiques sur les principaux Ouvrages ; Le denombrement des differentes editions ; Le tout justifie par les citations des Auteurs originaux. Par des Religieux Benedictins de la Congregation de S. Maur. Nouvelle Edition, entierement conforme a la prece- dente, par M. Paulin Paris, Membre de rinstitut, tome v. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 151. A Paris, 1865 et j^^. , inxvii. tomes, 4to.
32 Yet, Trithemius says, his father was
called Ruthardus, or Ruthard, and his
mother was called Aldegundis,or Aldegonde. But, no other writer, before him, has been found to make a like statement.
33 The latter was a chaplain to Lewis,
Histoire Literaire de la France,"
King of Germany. See ibid.
34 This, too, has been found in an anony-
mous tract at Molk, and it has been used in the collective edition of his works.
3S Natalis Alexander, in his " Historia Ecclesiastica," saec. ix. , pars i. , p. 224, and parsii. , p. 575, has an account of Raban, and a special dissertation relating to him. Trithemius states, that Raban was born on the iv. Nones of February, a. d. 788. This was the eleventh Roman Indiction, which was in the twentieth year of Charlemagne's reign, and the seventeenth year of Pope Adrian I. See " Vita Rabani Mauri," lib. >. , cap. i. , sec. 5. See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , p. 524.
**
3^ According to Nicolaus Saderus, De
Rebus Moguntinis," lib. iv. , who makes
him Abbot of Fulda, a. d. 825, when he
was only thirty years of age.
37 See "Vita S. Rabani Mauri," lib. i. ,
cap.
