39 These religious
exercises
were very rigorous ; they fasted, they prayed, and did works of penance, while bathed in tears, day and night.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
D.
1332.
—It was secularized by Joseph II.
in 1782.
See Fez, SS.
Rerum Austriae, tomus i.
, col.
935.
Also, Ersep
"
" This was read, on the 9th of April, and
it was published, in the "Natural Historv '
Review and Quarterly Journal of Science,
"
for July, i860. See, also,
the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. , pp.
290 to 301.
'3 Arnold Wion calls him
Gamnicensis.
Kemnick, and Gemnikho.
und Gruber's
Allgemeine Encyclopaedic," sub voce, G^ctamg.
num," in his work cap. 72.
"
Proceedings of
"
Lignum Vitae," lib. ii. ,
S. Maria-
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 417
eleventh century. He was a native of Tir Conaill, which corresponds with the modern county of Donegal. ^4 From his own \vritings, too. we have been
led to the discovery, that he belonged to the family of Mac Robhartaigh. These were hereditary guardians of the venerable Cathach of St. Cokimkille. 'S As such, they were herejiachs in Tyrconnell, and vassals of the O'Donells,
^^
of Drumhone, county of Donegal, is so called from Baile-mecc-Robhartaich.
Originally this was the possession of Mac Robhartach, Keeper of the Cathach. Ballymagrorty, in the parish of Templemore or Derry, has the same origin, ^^ At this present time, the name has been moulded into O'Rafferty, Rafferty, and M'Grotty;'^ and, although we have not been able to find the pedigree of the present Muiredhach, yet, we have reason to believe, he descended fromarespectablefamilyandrace. AlmostcontemporarywiththisMarianus was Donnall Mac Robartaigh, St. Columba's successor at Kells. His name is engraved on the silver case of the Cathach,^9 and his death is also re- cordedbytheFourMastersat1098. ^° Bythem,heiscalledO'Robhartaigh; but, this interchange of Mac and O' is common in early records. ^^
Marianus was remarkable, as well for the beauty of his countenance, as
forthestrengthofhisbody. Hishair,theancientauthorofhisActsstates,"^^
was glossy. But, he was chiefly distinguished, for his charming simplicity of manner, and for his unaffected piety. During the time of boyhood, he was carefully instructed by his parents, in sacred and secular Hterature, and in eloquence, with a view to his entering upon the clerical office. The very aspect of the holy youth inspired all beholders with a conviction, that the SpiritofGoddweltwithinhim. Inprocessoftime,heassumedthemonastic habit, but, seemingly without entering any regular order. ^3
the ancient princely rulers over that region.
Ballymagroarty, in the parish
At an early age—according to a custom usual in Ireland in his day—the parents of Marianus appear to have destined him for the Church, as his opening virtues showed clearly marks of a Divine vocation. Even when he
^4 Yet Dempster and Camerarius would fain claim him as a Scotchman.
^5 At present preserved in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum. It is a box of silver,
Cathach of Columkille. "
^^ In 1609, the Inquisition of Donegal
"
Island of Torro [Tory] whereof O'Roherertye is both herenagh and corbe. " w^ithvariousantiquecarvings,onits cover —Ultonia. Inquisitions. Appendix,No. V. ;
and sides. It contains worn membrane
fragments of the Scriptures, said to have
been written by the hand of St. Columkille.
'^ As of that are guardians reliquary, they
mentioned, in the "Annals of the Four
Masters. " Thus A. D. 1497, one of the
Patent Rolls of James I. , p. 382a. Among the general pardons during this same year, various members of the clan are mentioned, under the forms M
events in a battle, at the pass of Ballaghboy,
between the O'Donells and the Mac Dermots,
which proved —disastrous to the former, is
thus recorded: tlo be^riAt) beof Ati cacac
coLAim cibte AmAc, ajuj' -oo rnA^xbAX) a vii. , pp. 300, 301.
mAO|\ (. 1. lYiAj ^obA^vcAij). This is tran—s- .
lated into EngUsh by Dr. O'Donovan
•'TheCathachofColumkillewasalsotaken
fromthem; andMagroarty,thekeeperofit,
was slain. " Two years after this battle,
A. D. 1499, the Cathach was restored to the
O'Donells. In 1567, the same annalists pp. 88, 89.
chronicle a battle, between th—e O'Neills and " See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," O'Donells, at Farsetmore a low-water tomus ii. , ix. Februarii. Vita auctore Scoto ford, near Letterkenny. Among those that Monacho Ratispon. , cap. ii. , num. i, p. 366. fell was mA5|\AbAt\CAi5 aja mbAoi =3 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Paper "On
iomcoiThe"o CACAije ColAim Citbe—. Marianus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in " Pro-
Rendered in O'Donovan's translation:
" ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy- vol.
"
who had the Vol. ii.
of the
vii. , p, 292.
Magroarty,
custody
:
Columba," p. 319.
finds the
'Ruertie, Magroertie, M'Groertie, Magrertee, and Roertie. See, in like manner, the Patent Rolls of James
I. , pp. 151b, 152a.
'*
able Paper on Marianus Scotus, in " Pro- ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol.
^'
See the Rev. William Reeves' admir-
^^ See Rev. William Reeves' "Adam-
nan's Life of St. =°Seeibid. , p. 285.
DermotO'Robhartaich,AbbotofDur- row, died in 1 190. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. ,
2 f.
4x8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
was a boy, engaged in sacred and literary exercises, a certain aged and wise man, as if with an inspiration of his future useful and holy career, exclaimed
in the of presence
" O
beloved
the
In after life, these words were remembered by several school-fellows and
companions of Marianus, as prophetic of his course on earth ; and, when his fame brightened in distant Germany, from the wildly beautiful vallies and
mountains of romantic Donegal, numbers of his compatriots prepared to quit their native country, parents, and friends, to place themselves under his religious direction. '*
Taking two companions, called John and Candidus, he set out from Ireland, a. d. io67. ='5 Other writers increase the number of his fellow-
travellers. ^'^ Following older accounts, Dempster27 says, that St. Marianus, who differed from Marianus, the Inclusus and Historicus, came to Ratisbon, with
six companions, professing the monastic life. '^^ Murichodachus, a Benedictine monk,'9 is made the companion of St. Marianus from Scotia, by this writer ;3o
although, it is well known, the latter holy man arrived before him in Germany. He was an inclusus^^ in connexion with the monastery, in Ratisbon,3* lately founded by Frideric, or as others will have it, by Henry Burgravius 11. 33 As his ultimate object appears to have been a pilgrimage to Rome, it is likely, at first, Marianus had not decided on any fixed place, for a permanent re- sidence. Arriving, on their way, at Bamberg,34 the Irish pilgrims were kindly received, it is stated, however, very incorrectly, by Frederick, a son to Henry II. , Burgrave, and a grandson to St. Leopold,35 by Bertha, his mother, daughter to the latter. 3'^ However, Otho, who appears to have been once a canon at Bamberg, afterwards had received promotion to the see of Ratisbon, and at the time, when our saint and his companions arrived, he had been installed, as bishop. Another distinguished prelate of this name, and a Bishop of Bamberg, was greatly extolled for his holiness and zeal. 37
"* See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- 32 How strangely inaccurate Dempster rum," tomus ii. , Februarii ix. Vita B. was, in dealing with historic facts, may be
Marianus,
you shall attach to you, in Christ, many faithful people, and many pilgrims. "
Mariani, &c. , cap. iii. , p. 368.
^5 This is collected from the statement of
"
judged, when he states, that Muricherodac flourished a. d. 1 158, whiereas, in reality, he died about A. D. 1080, according to Rader.
33 See Dempster's "Historia Ecclesias-
tica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. ,
num. 913, p. 483.
34 Here there is a magnificent Domkirche
or cathedral, founded in the year 1004, by Henry II. , and finished in 1012. See an
interesting account of this city, in Murray's "Handbook for Travellers in Southern
Germany," sect. x. Route 172, pp. 125 to 128.
3S His feast is kept, on the 15th of No-
vember. He married in 1 106 Agnes,
daughter to Henry IV. , Emperor, and a sister toHenryV. ShewasthewidowofFrederic, Duke of Suabia. Hence, it is easy to per- ceive, how false this account must be, since
Annalium Boiorum," lib. v.
=^ Wolfgangus Lazius tells us, these were, Isaac, Clemens, Donatus, Candidus, John, and Muricherodach. See " De Gentium Migrationibus," lib. vii. To these Aven- tinus adds Magnald, and he makes them all learned men. He remarks, that Isaac lived to be one hundred years old. See "Annales Boiorum," lib. v. , vi. There is a question here, however, as to whether or not Aventinus confounds our Marianus Scotus, with Marianus Scotus, the Chrono-
grapher.
"7 See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , p. 447.
Aventinus,
=^
For these accounts Dempster quotes
Wolfgangus Lazius, " De Migratione Gen- tium," lib. vii. , p. cccxii.
"9 Andrew Brunner alludes to him in ** Annales Boicorum," pars iii. , lib. ii.
3° For authorities, he quotes Lazius and others.
Marianus Scotus came to Ratisbon in 1067, "
3'
He wrote a book, "Ad Scotos pere-
3^ " De Gentium See Wolfgangus Lazius,
"
and a book, "De Virtute S. Crucis," if we
grinos," a book,
are to take Dempster as an authority.
Pro Cultu Imaginum,"
Migrationibus," lib. vii.
3? a Saint Otho, Bishop of Bamberg, on
the 2nd of July, is commemorated, he hav-
dearly
by
Lord,
you live,
and died there in 1088. See Acta Sanc- torum," tomus ii. , Februarii ix. Commen- tarius Prsevius, sect, iii. , num. 15, 16, pp. 365, 366.
if
February 9. ] LIVES OI' THE IRISH SAINTS. 419
Especially desirous of extending the monastic orders, he founded no less than fifteen Benedictine houses, at his own cost. 32 Under the supervision and direction of this Bishop Otho, it is said, the Blessed Marianus and his companions remained, after having assiimed the clerical order. In reality, they must have lived under Bishop Otho of Ratisbon.
39 These religious exercises were very rigorous ; they fasted, they prayed, and did works of penance, while bathed in tears, day and night. Serving God, as yet in the secular state, they practised the strictest observances of conventual rule. Especially was Marianus remarkable for his austerities, and for his desire to arrive at the highest perfection.
Bishop Otho, witnessing their extraordinary self-denial, and believing in their true vocation, earnestly encouraged them to assume the religious habit. To this recommendation, they willingly assented. After a year's sojourn, with him, the pious Irish strangers were admitted to the order of St. Benedict,4° it is said, in the monastery of Michelsberg. ^^ Here, the spirit of peace and fraternal charity was truly found. Yet, being unacquainted with the Teutonic language, they preferred still greater retirement. A small cell, at the foot of the hill, was thought to be convenient, for this purpose, and was assigned to them, with food and other necessaries, for their use. Here they remained, for some time,-^^ when their first conceived thought, for visit- ing the limma of the holy Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul,43 at Rome, came uppermostintheirminds. TheydisclosedsuchapurposetotheAbbotof St. Michael, who knew it was the custom of their nation,44 to desire such a privilege. They received a blessing and a licence from the superior, to pro- ceed on their way. ^s Arriving at Ratisbon, those pilgrims met with a friendly reception, at the nunnery of the Upper Monastery, or the Ober- miinster. 46 The early education of the Blessed Marianus, in a particular
manner, qualified him to be an accomplished scribe, and here his talents were in especial requisition. The Abbess Hemma or Emma was then
ing been canonized by Pope Clement III. ,
in 1 189. See Rev. Aiban Butler's " Lives
of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal
Saints," vol. vii. , July ii. He has been
erroneously supposed, by some writers, to have been the entertainer of Marianus and
who ruled from ICK)2 to the 14th of July, a. d. 1024, when he died. His least is kept on the 15th of July. It was afterwards en- larged, and enriched by St. Otho, bishop of that see.
^'^ The Scottish writer of Blessed Maria- nus' Acts states, until after the death of Bishop Otho, but this is clearly a mistake. Indeed, it may be doubted, if he were not
his companions, as Bishop of Bamberg ;
but, he did not attain this dignity, until
A. D. 1 102, fourteen years after the death of
Marianus. Even the Scottish monk, who altogether in error, regarding this stay of wrote his Acts, fell into such an error.
3^ For an account of his religious founda-
Marianus and his companions, at Bamberg. ^3 Their feasts occur on the 29th of June,
tions, tlie reader is referred to Gaspar Brus- ""
^4 xhe Scottish writer of their Acts says gentis suae more. "
^s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Paper "On Ma-
chius, Catalogus Episcuporum Bamber- gensium," as also to " Vita S. Ottonis," wriiten by Andrew, Abbot of St. Michael, lib. i. , as found in
nanus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in
"
Proceed-
vol.
" De Probatis Sanctorum Historiis," tomus iv. , Julii ii,
of the
ings Royallrish Academy,"
Surius,
vii. ,
39 He became bishop of this city in 1060, and he died in 1089, according to Rader.
p. 292.
^^ Alluding to Ratisbon, we arc told:
" The churches of Ober and Nieder Muuster
'•° The feast of St. Benedict occurs on the
2ist of March. Very complete accounts of
him and of his institute will be found in
Dom. Mege's "Vie de Saint Benoit, avec Diet. " une Histoire abregee de son Ordre," a. d.
1690, 4to.
to nunneries since dissolved, long
^^ This was founded, on the Monk's Mountain, near Bamberg, and dedicated to St. Michael, by St. Henry II. , Emperor,
lers in Southern Germany," sect. x. Route
168, p. 108.
'>^ BoUandus remarks, these notices are
belonged
whose abbesses held the rank of princesses
of the empire, and occupied seats in the
— ''Handbook lor Travel* Murray's
missing from Raaer.
From a charter of
Henry iV. , Wiiia
—who
probably
succeeded
4 20 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February 9.
superioress, it is stated, over the Upper Monastery in that z\\. y*'^ and her duties were assigned, charitably and hospitably to receive pilgrims/^
Marianus possessed great skill and industry in his capacity of scribe. Such was the grace of writing, which Divine Providence bestowed on the Blessed Marianus, remarks his biographer, that he wrote many, and some of them lengthy, volumes, with a rapid pen, both in the Upper and Lower Monasteries. '^^ For, to speak the truth, without any colouring of language, among all the acts which Divine Providence deigned to perform through this same person, he says, I deem this most worthy of praise and admiration, that the holy man wrote from beginning to end, with his own hand, the Old and New Testament, with explanatory comments on the same books, and that, not once or twice, but over and over again, with a view to the eternal reward ; all the while clad in a sorry garb, living on slender diet, attended and aided by his brethren, both in the Upper and Lower Monasteries.
At Ratisbon, Marianus was employed, by the Abbess Emma, in the transcription of some books. From this, he removed to the Lower Monas- tery,ortotheNiedermiinster. Acellwasassignedtohimselfandtohiscom- panions. Here, he diligently continued his occupation of writing, for his pen ran rapidly over the folios ; while, his companions prepared membranes for his use. Besides, he wrote many smaller books and manual psalters, for distressed widows, and poor clerics of the same city, having in view the health of his soul, and without any prospect of earthly gain. Furthermore, through the mercy of God, many congregations of the monastic order, which, in faith and charity, and imitating the Blessed Marianus, are derived from the aforesaid Ireland, and which inhabited Bavaria and Franconia, were sustained by those writings of the Blessed Marianus. 5°
The twelfth century author of our Saint's Acts states, that a certain
Father Isaac, who lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred and twenty
years, and who, moreover, was contemporaneous with the Blessed Marianus, having been under his direction and obedience, used to relate with tears in his eyes, that his venerable superior was, like another Moyses, the meekest ofmen. WhilehelivedintheLowerMonasteryofRatisbon,awonderful miracle was related about Marianus. It was a custom to have lights pre- pared, so that the holy scribe might proceed with his labours of writing
books, by night. On a particular occasion, while transcribing some religious work, in the Lower Monastery, the female sacristan of the church forgot to bring the light as usual ; yet, this in no manner seemed to interrupt his occupation. Having gone to bed, she suddenly recollected her omission of duty, and arising, she brought other virgins with her, to the cell of God's pious servant. Walking on tip-toe, and peeping through the chinks in the door of his cell, they beheld a miraculous apparition. While he wrote with the right hand, Marianus was holding up the left, and from three of its fingers were emitted as many jets of flame, which glowed more like the light ofHeaven,thanascomingfromordinarylamps. Therays,proceedingfrom hisfingers,shonelikethoseofthemeridiansun. Thevirginstrembledwith awe and reverence, at what they beheld, and then disclosed this incident to
Emma—is named
; yet, perchance, one
<' Reeves' " On Ma- See Rev. Dr. Paper
rianus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in "Proceed- ings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. ,
name is used for the other. In the same
charter, Hazoga is named as abbess, like-
wise, while she is called Hazega, by Ger-
woldus, and Haziga, by Aventinus.
^^ Aventinus adds, that Machtylda of the
Lower Monastery supplied them with ale and beer. " Annalium Boiorum," lib. v.
p. 293.
5° See the Bollandists' Acta Sancto-
"
rum,"tomus ii. ,ix. Februarii. Vita auctore
Scoto monacho Ratispon. , cap. ii. , num. 9, pp. 366, 367.
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 421
the abbess, and to their other religious sisters. Soon its fame got abroad,
among the clergy and people of Ratisbon. Afterwards, the inhabitants
spread this report among their neighbouring towns, and among those living
in distant places. Everywhere, with joy and gratulation it resounded, and the Blessed Marianus was regarded as the special favourite of Heaven. 5^
CHAPTER II.
THE BLESSED MARIANUS PROPOSES TO RESUME HIS PILGRIMAGE— HE IS MIRACULOUSLY WARNED TO REMAIN AT RATISBON—THE WRITINGS OF MARIANUS—HE OBTAINS A GRANT OF ST. PETER's CHURCH, AND MEANS TO ERECT A MONASTERY THERE— DISCIPLES SEEK HIM OUT FROM IRELAND—DISPERSION OF HIS COMPANIONS—HIS FEAST DAY AND DEATH—MIRACLE AT HIS TOMB—IRISH MONASTERIES FOUNDED AFTER HIS TIME, IN GERMANY—CONCLUSION.
After remaining some time at Ratisbon, the Blessed Marianus intended to
resume his original journey. However, a countryman of great sanctity, called Muircetach, or Muricherodac,^ who had been then Hving, as a recluse, at the Obermiinster, was consulted, in reference to this project. Muirchetach urged him to submit, and to trust in Divine guidance the determining, whether
Let us fast this day," he exclaimed, and ask the Holy Spirit of Wisdom, although sinners we be, that he should deign to manifest his will for you to remain here, or to visit the limifia Apostolorum, in the Roman city. " This advice, the obedient Marianus inclined to follow. Hepassed the night in great anxiety. But while in bed, and during the hours of darkness, it was intimated to him, by a Divine inspiration, that he should take John and Clement with him as companions, and that, beginning his journey, wherever, on the next day, he should first behold the rising sun,3 there he should re- main and fix his abode, so that on the Day of Judgment his bones should thence arise.
At the early dawn of morning, Marianus took with him those companions advised, and bidding adieu to Muricherodac, and to his other friends, he started, with a light and resolute heart, to pursue his journey, towards the walls of the Eternal City. For this purpose, he arose before daybreak, and entered St. Peter's Church, outside the walls of Ratisbon ; for, it was his usualcustomtopray,beforeheengageduponanygreatundertaking. There, with his brethren, he began to implore the Divine blessing on his journey. He also prayed to St. Peter, the Patron, so that his journey might prove a prosperous one, from that Church of St. Peter, the Apostle, at Ratisbon, to the Church of St. Peter, the Apostle, at Rome. But, scarcely had he come forth without the doors, when he beheld the sun stealing above the horizon. He thanked God, and the Blessed Peter, who had thus given him a place
he should proceed on his way to Rome, or settle for life, at Ratisbon. ^ ""
5^SeeHid. —
rianus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in "Proceed-
Chapter ii.
feast occurs
the
ings of the Royal p. 292.
Irish
Academy," vol. vii. ,
^
on
garding him may be found. In n, 6, an oversight has been committed, by the author,
His
17th of January, where further notices re-
in alluding to the present holy man, as the Martyrologist, Marianus O' Gorman, re- specting whom, the reader is referred to the •'
3 According to popular tradition, St. Laserian, Bishop of Leighlin, was deter- mined to found his house where he should see the sun first rising, as he began his morn-
ing travels, and inspired by a similar omen. See his Life at the 18th of April.
Introduction," sect, iii. , vol. i.
=" SeeRev. Dr. Reeves'Paper"OnMa-
42 2 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
""
for quiet and for burial. Here then," said he, accepting the omen, I shall
rest for ever, and here shall be my resurrection, on the dreadful Day of Judgment. " His determination was hailed with joy, by the whole popula- tion, at Ratisbon. The clergy and people there admired that revelation, which caused him to remain among them, and even greater still was the delight of those pious nuns, to whom he had given such true cause for edifi- cation.
He now settled down to a course of life, in accordance with his tastes. The Blessed Marianus was especially distinguished, for his devotion to the pursuits and study of sacred literature. And, not only was he a celebrated divine and theologian ; but, he was pven remarkable, it is said, for his poetic talents. -^ It is not possible, at this time, to enumerate all the works he com- posedortranscribed; and,yet,manuscriptandbiblicalliteratureisenriched with some curious and valuable glosses, the genuineness of which is placed beyond question. Aventinus describes one of Marianus' compilations, as " Divini Davidis Hymni. " s To this, commentaries were added. A copy of this vellum codex had been preserved, in the Lower Monastery, at Ratisbon. ^
"
We find another of his treatises thus described,
excerptus de Evangelistarum voluminibus sive dpctoribus. " 7 But, another manuscript of our countryman, Marianus, is the most interesting, not only on account of the beauty, manifested in its execution, but, also, because it supplies the Irish name of the writer, and in the Irish character. Among his many works or transcripts, we find extant a copy of the Epistles of St. Paul. This contains an interlinear gloss, apparently an original production of Marianus himself It has, also,, a copious marginal commentary, con- sisting of extracts from the Fathers and theological writers, who were popular inhisday. Thiscommentaryfullyatteststhepatristiclearningandresearch of the Irish pilgrim. As yet, this codex is unedited. It lies, in the auto- graph of Marianus Scotus,^ among those literary treasures, stored in the Imperial Library, at Vienna. In 1679, when Lambecius' catalogue of the
4 Aventinus, the Bavarian Annalist, styles
" Poeta et —
him, Theologus insignis, nullique
"
feriis coepit, Mathoei et Ilemcrami finivit. " From the recommendation herein contained,
Annales Boiorum. " lib. v. , p. 554. Edition, 1554.
without it is curious security,
suo seculo secundus. "
not to lend it,
to find a library practice of modern times, in vogue among the ancients, suggested by
s The following is the preface, to this
codex, according to Aventinus: "Anno a writer at so early a date,
dominicae incarnationis, mlxxiv. , Hainrico
juvene Imp. , Machtylda Abbatissa S. Ma- rise, et S. Herhardi Abbateam regente, decem novalis Cycli xi. anno Indict, xii.
^ From his account, Aventinus appears to
have seen this manuscript. See "Annalium
Boiorum," lib. v.
7 Cotton, Tiberius E. iv. 26, foil. 162-178.
The once noble volume, which contains this treatise, is a MS. 'of the twelfth century, It was one of those, which suffered in the
Marianus Scotus, septimo peregrinationis
suae anno coUegit modicas istas undas, de
profundo sanctorum Patrum pelago, scilicet
Hieronymi, Augustini, Cassiodori, Arnobii, disastrous fire of 1731 ; but, it has lately
et de opusculis S. Gregorii : et pro suae ani- m? e salute, in honorem salvatoris Domini
been inlaid, and, with occasional damaged
margins, it is still in a fair and legible con-
nostri Jesu Christi, et ejus genitricis, sem-
perque Virginis Mariae, et S. Herhardi con-
fessoris, scripsit, et in unum librum perstrinx-
it. Prolixas enim et salubres Catholico-
rum Patrum expositiones non omnes avido
cordis amore petunt. Multi sunt etiam, qui
etsi tales legere vel habere vellent, tamen intrusted the Rev. Dr. Reeves with the
minori censu, vel intellectu, vel aliqua causa existente occupati, illas invenire et legere non possunt. Nunquam tribuatur ad trans- scribendum extra Monasterium, nisi pro eo congruum relinquatur vadimonium. Georgii
carriage of a communication, to the Mem- bers of the Royal Irish Academy, of which
"
he had been a former associate. See ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. , p. 294.
Liber Mariani genere Scoti,
dition.
^
Mr.
"
" This was read, on the 9th of April, and
it was published, in the "Natural Historv '
Review and Quarterly Journal of Science,
"
for July, i860. See, also,
the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. , pp.
290 to 301.
'3 Arnold Wion calls him
Gamnicensis.
Kemnick, and Gemnikho.
und Gruber's
Allgemeine Encyclopaedic," sub voce, G^ctamg.
num," in his work cap. 72.
"
Proceedings of
"
Lignum Vitae," lib. ii. ,
S. Maria-
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 417
eleventh century. He was a native of Tir Conaill, which corresponds with the modern county of Donegal. ^4 From his own \vritings, too. we have been
led to the discovery, that he belonged to the family of Mac Robhartaigh. These were hereditary guardians of the venerable Cathach of St. Cokimkille. 'S As such, they were herejiachs in Tyrconnell, and vassals of the O'Donells,
^^
of Drumhone, county of Donegal, is so called from Baile-mecc-Robhartaich.
Originally this was the possession of Mac Robhartach, Keeper of the Cathach. Ballymagrorty, in the parish of Templemore or Derry, has the same origin, ^^ At this present time, the name has been moulded into O'Rafferty, Rafferty, and M'Grotty;'^ and, although we have not been able to find the pedigree of the present Muiredhach, yet, we have reason to believe, he descended fromarespectablefamilyandrace. AlmostcontemporarywiththisMarianus was Donnall Mac Robartaigh, St. Columba's successor at Kells. His name is engraved on the silver case of the Cathach,^9 and his death is also re- cordedbytheFourMastersat1098. ^° Bythem,heiscalledO'Robhartaigh; but, this interchange of Mac and O' is common in early records. ^^
Marianus was remarkable, as well for the beauty of his countenance, as
forthestrengthofhisbody. Hishair,theancientauthorofhisActsstates,"^^
was glossy. But, he was chiefly distinguished, for his charming simplicity of manner, and for his unaffected piety. During the time of boyhood, he was carefully instructed by his parents, in sacred and secular Hterature, and in eloquence, with a view to his entering upon the clerical office. The very aspect of the holy youth inspired all beholders with a conviction, that the SpiritofGoddweltwithinhim. Inprocessoftime,heassumedthemonastic habit, but, seemingly without entering any regular order. ^3
the ancient princely rulers over that region.
Ballymagroarty, in the parish
At an early age—according to a custom usual in Ireland in his day—the parents of Marianus appear to have destined him for the Church, as his opening virtues showed clearly marks of a Divine vocation. Even when he
^4 Yet Dempster and Camerarius would fain claim him as a Scotchman.
^5 At present preserved in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum. It is a box of silver,
Cathach of Columkille. "
^^ In 1609, the Inquisition of Donegal
"
Island of Torro [Tory] whereof O'Roherertye is both herenagh and corbe. " w^ithvariousantiquecarvings,onits cover —Ultonia. Inquisitions. Appendix,No. V. ;
and sides. It contains worn membrane
fragments of the Scriptures, said to have
been written by the hand of St. Columkille.
'^ As of that are guardians reliquary, they
mentioned, in the "Annals of the Four
Masters. " Thus A. D. 1497, one of the
Patent Rolls of James I. , p. 382a. Among the general pardons during this same year, various members of the clan are mentioned, under the forms M
events in a battle, at the pass of Ballaghboy,
between the O'Donells and the Mac Dermots,
which proved —disastrous to the former, is
thus recorded: tlo be^riAt) beof Ati cacac
coLAim cibte AmAc, ajuj' -oo rnA^xbAX) a vii. , pp. 300, 301.
mAO|\ (. 1. lYiAj ^obA^vcAij). This is tran—s- .
lated into EngUsh by Dr. O'Donovan
•'TheCathachofColumkillewasalsotaken
fromthem; andMagroarty,thekeeperofit,
was slain. " Two years after this battle,
A. D. 1499, the Cathach was restored to the
O'Donells. In 1567, the same annalists pp. 88, 89.
chronicle a battle, between th—e O'Neills and " See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," O'Donells, at Farsetmore a low-water tomus ii. , ix. Februarii. Vita auctore Scoto ford, near Letterkenny. Among those that Monacho Ratispon. , cap. ii. , num. i, p. 366. fell was mA5|\AbAt\CAi5 aja mbAoi =3 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Paper "On
iomcoiThe"o CACAije ColAim Citbe—. Marianus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in " Pro-
Rendered in O'Donovan's translation:
" ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy- vol.
"
who had the Vol. ii.
of the
vii. , p, 292.
Magroarty,
custody
:
Columba," p. 319.
finds the
'Ruertie, Magroertie, M'Groertie, Magrertee, and Roertie. See, in like manner, the Patent Rolls of James
I. , pp. 151b, 152a.
'*
able Paper on Marianus Scotus, in " Pro- ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol.
^'
See the Rev. William Reeves' admir-
^^ See Rev. William Reeves' "Adam-
nan's Life of St. =°Seeibid. , p. 285.
DermotO'Robhartaich,AbbotofDur- row, died in 1 190. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. ,
2 f.
4x8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
was a boy, engaged in sacred and literary exercises, a certain aged and wise man, as if with an inspiration of his future useful and holy career, exclaimed
in the of presence
" O
beloved
the
In after life, these words were remembered by several school-fellows and
companions of Marianus, as prophetic of his course on earth ; and, when his fame brightened in distant Germany, from the wildly beautiful vallies and
mountains of romantic Donegal, numbers of his compatriots prepared to quit their native country, parents, and friends, to place themselves under his religious direction. '*
Taking two companions, called John and Candidus, he set out from Ireland, a. d. io67. ='5 Other writers increase the number of his fellow-
travellers. ^'^ Following older accounts, Dempster27 says, that St. Marianus, who differed from Marianus, the Inclusus and Historicus, came to Ratisbon, with
six companions, professing the monastic life. '^^ Murichodachus, a Benedictine monk,'9 is made the companion of St. Marianus from Scotia, by this writer ;3o
although, it is well known, the latter holy man arrived before him in Germany. He was an inclusus^^ in connexion with the monastery, in Ratisbon,3* lately founded by Frideric, or as others will have it, by Henry Burgravius 11. 33 As his ultimate object appears to have been a pilgrimage to Rome, it is likely, at first, Marianus had not decided on any fixed place, for a permanent re- sidence. Arriving, on their way, at Bamberg,34 the Irish pilgrims were kindly received, it is stated, however, very incorrectly, by Frederick, a son to Henry II. , Burgrave, and a grandson to St. Leopold,35 by Bertha, his mother, daughter to the latter. 3'^ However, Otho, who appears to have been once a canon at Bamberg, afterwards had received promotion to the see of Ratisbon, and at the time, when our saint and his companions arrived, he had been installed, as bishop. Another distinguished prelate of this name, and a Bishop of Bamberg, was greatly extolled for his holiness and zeal. 37
"* See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- 32 How strangely inaccurate Dempster rum," tomus ii. , Februarii ix. Vita B. was, in dealing with historic facts, may be
Marianus,
you shall attach to you, in Christ, many faithful people, and many pilgrims. "
Mariani, &c. , cap. iii. , p. 368.
^5 This is collected from the statement of
"
judged, when he states, that Muricherodac flourished a. d. 1 158, whiereas, in reality, he died about A. D. 1080, according to Rader.
33 See Dempster's "Historia Ecclesias-
tica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. ,
num. 913, p. 483.
34 Here there is a magnificent Domkirche
or cathedral, founded in the year 1004, by Henry II. , and finished in 1012. See an
interesting account of this city, in Murray's "Handbook for Travellers in Southern
Germany," sect. x. Route 172, pp. 125 to 128.
3S His feast is kept, on the 15th of No-
vember. He married in 1 106 Agnes,
daughter to Henry IV. , Emperor, and a sister toHenryV. ShewasthewidowofFrederic, Duke of Suabia. Hence, it is easy to per- ceive, how false this account must be, since
Annalium Boiorum," lib. v.
=^ Wolfgangus Lazius tells us, these were, Isaac, Clemens, Donatus, Candidus, John, and Muricherodach. See " De Gentium Migrationibus," lib. vii. To these Aven- tinus adds Magnald, and he makes them all learned men. He remarks, that Isaac lived to be one hundred years old. See "Annales Boiorum," lib. v. , vi. There is a question here, however, as to whether or not Aventinus confounds our Marianus Scotus, with Marianus Scotus, the Chrono-
grapher.
"7 See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , p. 447.
Aventinus,
=^
For these accounts Dempster quotes
Wolfgangus Lazius, " De Migratione Gen- tium," lib. vii. , p. cccxii.
"9 Andrew Brunner alludes to him in ** Annales Boicorum," pars iii. , lib. ii.
3° For authorities, he quotes Lazius and others.
Marianus Scotus came to Ratisbon in 1067, "
3'
He wrote a book, "Ad Scotos pere-
3^ " De Gentium See Wolfgangus Lazius,
"
and a book, "De Virtute S. Crucis," if we
grinos," a book,
are to take Dempster as an authority.
Pro Cultu Imaginum,"
Migrationibus," lib. vii.
3? a Saint Otho, Bishop of Bamberg, on
the 2nd of July, is commemorated, he hav-
dearly
by
Lord,
you live,
and died there in 1088. See Acta Sanc- torum," tomus ii. , Februarii ix. Commen- tarius Prsevius, sect, iii. , num. 15, 16, pp. 365, 366.
if
February 9. ] LIVES OI' THE IRISH SAINTS. 419
Especially desirous of extending the monastic orders, he founded no less than fifteen Benedictine houses, at his own cost. 32 Under the supervision and direction of this Bishop Otho, it is said, the Blessed Marianus and his companions remained, after having assiimed the clerical order. In reality, they must have lived under Bishop Otho of Ratisbon.
39 These religious exercises were very rigorous ; they fasted, they prayed, and did works of penance, while bathed in tears, day and night. Serving God, as yet in the secular state, they practised the strictest observances of conventual rule. Especially was Marianus remarkable for his austerities, and for his desire to arrive at the highest perfection.
Bishop Otho, witnessing their extraordinary self-denial, and believing in their true vocation, earnestly encouraged them to assume the religious habit. To this recommendation, they willingly assented. After a year's sojourn, with him, the pious Irish strangers were admitted to the order of St. Benedict,4° it is said, in the monastery of Michelsberg. ^^ Here, the spirit of peace and fraternal charity was truly found. Yet, being unacquainted with the Teutonic language, they preferred still greater retirement. A small cell, at the foot of the hill, was thought to be convenient, for this purpose, and was assigned to them, with food and other necessaries, for their use. Here they remained, for some time,-^^ when their first conceived thought, for visit- ing the limma of the holy Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul,43 at Rome, came uppermostintheirminds. TheydisclosedsuchapurposetotheAbbotof St. Michael, who knew it was the custom of their nation,44 to desire such a privilege. They received a blessing and a licence from the superior, to pro- ceed on their way. ^s Arriving at Ratisbon, those pilgrims met with a friendly reception, at the nunnery of the Upper Monastery, or the Ober- miinster. 46 The early education of the Blessed Marianus, in a particular
manner, qualified him to be an accomplished scribe, and here his talents were in especial requisition. The Abbess Hemma or Emma was then
ing been canonized by Pope Clement III. ,
in 1 189. See Rev. Aiban Butler's " Lives
of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal
Saints," vol. vii. , July ii. He has been
erroneously supposed, by some writers, to have been the entertainer of Marianus and
who ruled from ICK)2 to the 14th of July, a. d. 1024, when he died. His least is kept on the 15th of July. It was afterwards en- larged, and enriched by St. Otho, bishop of that see.
^'^ The Scottish writer of Blessed Maria- nus' Acts states, until after the death of Bishop Otho, but this is clearly a mistake. Indeed, it may be doubted, if he were not
his companions, as Bishop of Bamberg ;
but, he did not attain this dignity, until
A. D. 1 102, fourteen years after the death of
Marianus. Even the Scottish monk, who altogether in error, regarding this stay of wrote his Acts, fell into such an error.
3^ For an account of his religious founda-
Marianus and his companions, at Bamberg. ^3 Their feasts occur on the 29th of June,
tions, tlie reader is referred to Gaspar Brus- ""
^4 xhe Scottish writer of their Acts says gentis suae more. "
^s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Paper "On Ma-
chius, Catalogus Episcuporum Bamber- gensium," as also to " Vita S. Ottonis," wriiten by Andrew, Abbot of St. Michael, lib. i. , as found in
nanus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in
"
Proceed-
vol.
" De Probatis Sanctorum Historiis," tomus iv. , Julii ii,
of the
ings Royallrish Academy,"
Surius,
vii. ,
39 He became bishop of this city in 1060, and he died in 1089, according to Rader.
p. 292.
^^ Alluding to Ratisbon, we arc told:
" The churches of Ober and Nieder Muuster
'•° The feast of St. Benedict occurs on the
2ist of March. Very complete accounts of
him and of his institute will be found in
Dom. Mege's "Vie de Saint Benoit, avec Diet. " une Histoire abregee de son Ordre," a. d.
1690, 4to.
to nunneries since dissolved, long
^^ This was founded, on the Monk's Mountain, near Bamberg, and dedicated to St. Michael, by St. Henry II. , Emperor,
lers in Southern Germany," sect. x. Route
168, p. 108.
'>^ BoUandus remarks, these notices are
belonged
whose abbesses held the rank of princesses
of the empire, and occupied seats in the
— ''Handbook lor Travel* Murray's
missing from Raaer.
From a charter of
Henry iV. , Wiiia
—who
probably
succeeded
4 20 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February 9.
superioress, it is stated, over the Upper Monastery in that z\\. y*'^ and her duties were assigned, charitably and hospitably to receive pilgrims/^
Marianus possessed great skill and industry in his capacity of scribe. Such was the grace of writing, which Divine Providence bestowed on the Blessed Marianus, remarks his biographer, that he wrote many, and some of them lengthy, volumes, with a rapid pen, both in the Upper and Lower Monasteries. '^^ For, to speak the truth, without any colouring of language, among all the acts which Divine Providence deigned to perform through this same person, he says, I deem this most worthy of praise and admiration, that the holy man wrote from beginning to end, with his own hand, the Old and New Testament, with explanatory comments on the same books, and that, not once or twice, but over and over again, with a view to the eternal reward ; all the while clad in a sorry garb, living on slender diet, attended and aided by his brethren, both in the Upper and Lower Monasteries.
At Ratisbon, Marianus was employed, by the Abbess Emma, in the transcription of some books. From this, he removed to the Lower Monas- tery,ortotheNiedermiinster. Acellwasassignedtohimselfandtohiscom- panions. Here, he diligently continued his occupation of writing, for his pen ran rapidly over the folios ; while, his companions prepared membranes for his use. Besides, he wrote many smaller books and manual psalters, for distressed widows, and poor clerics of the same city, having in view the health of his soul, and without any prospect of earthly gain. Furthermore, through the mercy of God, many congregations of the monastic order, which, in faith and charity, and imitating the Blessed Marianus, are derived from the aforesaid Ireland, and which inhabited Bavaria and Franconia, were sustained by those writings of the Blessed Marianus. 5°
The twelfth century author of our Saint's Acts states, that a certain
Father Isaac, who lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred and twenty
years, and who, moreover, was contemporaneous with the Blessed Marianus, having been under his direction and obedience, used to relate with tears in his eyes, that his venerable superior was, like another Moyses, the meekest ofmen. WhilehelivedintheLowerMonasteryofRatisbon,awonderful miracle was related about Marianus. It was a custom to have lights pre- pared, so that the holy scribe might proceed with his labours of writing
books, by night. On a particular occasion, while transcribing some religious work, in the Lower Monastery, the female sacristan of the church forgot to bring the light as usual ; yet, this in no manner seemed to interrupt his occupation. Having gone to bed, she suddenly recollected her omission of duty, and arising, she brought other virgins with her, to the cell of God's pious servant. Walking on tip-toe, and peeping through the chinks in the door of his cell, they beheld a miraculous apparition. While he wrote with the right hand, Marianus was holding up the left, and from three of its fingers were emitted as many jets of flame, which glowed more like the light ofHeaven,thanascomingfromordinarylamps. Therays,proceedingfrom hisfingers,shonelikethoseofthemeridiansun. Thevirginstrembledwith awe and reverence, at what they beheld, and then disclosed this incident to
Emma—is named
; yet, perchance, one
<' Reeves' " On Ma- See Rev. Dr. Paper
rianus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in "Proceed- ings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. ,
name is used for the other. In the same
charter, Hazoga is named as abbess, like-
wise, while she is called Hazega, by Ger-
woldus, and Haziga, by Aventinus.
^^ Aventinus adds, that Machtylda of the
Lower Monastery supplied them with ale and beer. " Annalium Boiorum," lib. v.
p. 293.
5° See the Bollandists' Acta Sancto-
"
rum,"tomus ii. ,ix. Februarii. Vita auctore
Scoto monacho Ratispon. , cap. ii. , num. 9, pp. 366, 367.
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 421
the abbess, and to their other religious sisters. Soon its fame got abroad,
among the clergy and people of Ratisbon. Afterwards, the inhabitants
spread this report among their neighbouring towns, and among those living
in distant places. Everywhere, with joy and gratulation it resounded, and the Blessed Marianus was regarded as the special favourite of Heaven. 5^
CHAPTER II.
THE BLESSED MARIANUS PROPOSES TO RESUME HIS PILGRIMAGE— HE IS MIRACULOUSLY WARNED TO REMAIN AT RATISBON—THE WRITINGS OF MARIANUS—HE OBTAINS A GRANT OF ST. PETER's CHURCH, AND MEANS TO ERECT A MONASTERY THERE— DISCIPLES SEEK HIM OUT FROM IRELAND—DISPERSION OF HIS COMPANIONS—HIS FEAST DAY AND DEATH—MIRACLE AT HIS TOMB—IRISH MONASTERIES FOUNDED AFTER HIS TIME, IN GERMANY—CONCLUSION.
After remaining some time at Ratisbon, the Blessed Marianus intended to
resume his original journey. However, a countryman of great sanctity, called Muircetach, or Muricherodac,^ who had been then Hving, as a recluse, at the Obermiinster, was consulted, in reference to this project. Muirchetach urged him to submit, and to trust in Divine guidance the determining, whether
Let us fast this day," he exclaimed, and ask the Holy Spirit of Wisdom, although sinners we be, that he should deign to manifest his will for you to remain here, or to visit the limifia Apostolorum, in the Roman city. " This advice, the obedient Marianus inclined to follow. Hepassed the night in great anxiety. But while in bed, and during the hours of darkness, it was intimated to him, by a Divine inspiration, that he should take John and Clement with him as companions, and that, beginning his journey, wherever, on the next day, he should first behold the rising sun,3 there he should re- main and fix his abode, so that on the Day of Judgment his bones should thence arise.
At the early dawn of morning, Marianus took with him those companions advised, and bidding adieu to Muricherodac, and to his other friends, he started, with a light and resolute heart, to pursue his journey, towards the walls of the Eternal City. For this purpose, he arose before daybreak, and entered St. Peter's Church, outside the walls of Ratisbon ; for, it was his usualcustomtopray,beforeheengageduponanygreatundertaking. There, with his brethren, he began to implore the Divine blessing on his journey. He also prayed to St. Peter, the Patron, so that his journey might prove a prosperous one, from that Church of St. Peter, the Apostle, at Ratisbon, to the Church of St. Peter, the Apostle, at Rome. But, scarcely had he come forth without the doors, when he beheld the sun stealing above the horizon. He thanked God, and the Blessed Peter, who had thus given him a place
he should proceed on his way to Rome, or settle for life, at Ratisbon. ^ ""
5^SeeHid. —
rianus Scotus, of Ratisbon," in "Proceed-
Chapter ii.
feast occurs
the
ings of the Royal p. 292.
Irish
Academy," vol. vii. ,
^
on
garding him may be found. In n, 6, an oversight has been committed, by the author,
His
17th of January, where further notices re-
in alluding to the present holy man, as the Martyrologist, Marianus O' Gorman, re- specting whom, the reader is referred to the •'
3 According to popular tradition, St. Laserian, Bishop of Leighlin, was deter- mined to found his house where he should see the sun first rising, as he began his morn-
ing travels, and inspired by a similar omen. See his Life at the 18th of April.
Introduction," sect, iii. , vol. i.
=" SeeRev. Dr. Reeves'Paper"OnMa-
42 2 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
""
for quiet and for burial. Here then," said he, accepting the omen, I shall
rest for ever, and here shall be my resurrection, on the dreadful Day of Judgment. " His determination was hailed with joy, by the whole popula- tion, at Ratisbon. The clergy and people there admired that revelation, which caused him to remain among them, and even greater still was the delight of those pious nuns, to whom he had given such true cause for edifi- cation.
He now settled down to a course of life, in accordance with his tastes. The Blessed Marianus was especially distinguished, for his devotion to the pursuits and study of sacred literature. And, not only was he a celebrated divine and theologian ; but, he was pven remarkable, it is said, for his poetic talents. -^ It is not possible, at this time, to enumerate all the works he com- posedortranscribed; and,yet,manuscriptandbiblicalliteratureisenriched with some curious and valuable glosses, the genuineness of which is placed beyond question. Aventinus describes one of Marianus' compilations, as " Divini Davidis Hymni. " s To this, commentaries were added. A copy of this vellum codex had been preserved, in the Lower Monastery, at Ratisbon. ^
"
We find another of his treatises thus described,
excerptus de Evangelistarum voluminibus sive dpctoribus. " 7 But, another manuscript of our countryman, Marianus, is the most interesting, not only on account of the beauty, manifested in its execution, but, also, because it supplies the Irish name of the writer, and in the Irish character. Among his many works or transcripts, we find extant a copy of the Epistles of St. Paul. This contains an interlinear gloss, apparently an original production of Marianus himself It has, also,, a copious marginal commentary, con- sisting of extracts from the Fathers and theological writers, who were popular inhisday. Thiscommentaryfullyatteststhepatristiclearningandresearch of the Irish pilgrim. As yet, this codex is unedited. It lies, in the auto- graph of Marianus Scotus,^ among those literary treasures, stored in the Imperial Library, at Vienna. In 1679, when Lambecius' catalogue of the
4 Aventinus, the Bavarian Annalist, styles
" Poeta et —
him, Theologus insignis, nullique
"
feriis coepit, Mathoei et Ilemcrami finivit. " From the recommendation herein contained,
Annales Boiorum. " lib. v. , p. 554. Edition, 1554.
without it is curious security,
suo seculo secundus. "
not to lend it,
to find a library practice of modern times, in vogue among the ancients, suggested by
s The following is the preface, to this
codex, according to Aventinus: "Anno a writer at so early a date,
dominicae incarnationis, mlxxiv. , Hainrico
juvene Imp. , Machtylda Abbatissa S. Ma- rise, et S. Herhardi Abbateam regente, decem novalis Cycli xi. anno Indict, xii.
^ From his account, Aventinus appears to
have seen this manuscript. See "Annalium
Boiorum," lib. v.
7 Cotton, Tiberius E. iv. 26, foil. 162-178.
The once noble volume, which contains this treatise, is a MS. 'of the twelfth century, It was one of those, which suffered in the
Marianus Scotus, septimo peregrinationis
suae anno coUegit modicas istas undas, de
profundo sanctorum Patrum pelago, scilicet
Hieronymi, Augustini, Cassiodori, Arnobii, disastrous fire of 1731 ; but, it has lately
et de opusculis S. Gregorii : et pro suae ani- m? e salute, in honorem salvatoris Domini
been inlaid, and, with occasional damaged
margins, it is still in a fair and legible con-
nostri Jesu Christi, et ejus genitricis, sem-
perque Virginis Mariae, et S. Herhardi con-
fessoris, scripsit, et in unum librum perstrinx-
it. Prolixas enim et salubres Catholico-
rum Patrum expositiones non omnes avido
cordis amore petunt. Multi sunt etiam, qui
etsi tales legere vel habere vellent, tamen intrusted the Rev. Dr. Reeves with the
minori censu, vel intellectu, vel aliqua causa existente occupati, illas invenire et legere non possunt. Nunquam tribuatur ad trans- scribendum extra Monasterium, nisi pro eo congruum relinquatur vadimonium. Georgii
carriage of a communication, to the Mem- bers of the Royal Irish Academy, of which
"
he had been a former associate. See ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. , p. 294.
Liber Mariani genere Scoti,
dition.
^
Mr.