lives, and many of them highly useful ones, especially by their application to literature.

LYDIA.

Yes, we must not forget that we are indebted to the monks for a great part of what now remains of the learning of the ancients.

ANNE.

The Northern nations who first overwhelmed the Roman empire, had been previously converted to Christianity, and the respect which they had for monks, made monasteries safe and valuable asylums for letters. It was also happy for those who lived in a time of such general confusion, as that in which all the states in Europe were for several centuries involved, that there was any place of safe retreat to which they might retire from the world, whether they wished so to do from remorse for their own crimes, or were driven there by the violence of others.

LYDIA.

At what period did men first become hermits?

ANNE.

The first Christian hermits that we read of, were some who took refuge in Upper Egypt, or Thebais, during the persecution of the emperor Decius, two hundred and forty-nine years after Christ. Among these, one Paul is particularly mentioned, as a person who distinguished himself the most in that country. It is said by Jerome, who writes his life, that being heir to a great patrimony, his sister's husband, in order to get possession of it, informed against him; in consequence of which he fled to the mountainous parts of Thebais, where he was safe from his pursuers. This place, however, he quitted several times; but at length, finding a convenient cavern in a rock, he lived there ninety years, dying at the age of one hundred and thirteen.

LYDIA.

What a length of time! How thankful we should be, that we live at a period so enlightened, that it is not thought necessary for us to torment ourselves in every possible way in this world, in order to secure our happiness in the world that is to come!

THE CHRISTIAN WHO BECAME ·

AN EMPEROR.

"Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou."

ECCLESIASTES.

FRANCES.

ANNE, what a great progress Christianity must soon have made! In the year of our Lord 306, the Romans allowed a Christian to establish himself as their emperor!

HARRIETTE.

Did the Romans ever have a Christian emperor? What was his name? Tell me all about him.

ANNE.

His name was Constantine, and he was called The Great. He was a countryman of your's, Harriette, and he was born at York.

HARRIETTE.

Indeed! I am glad he was born in