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