Transactions. 2 1 



ing effect : — You were too hasty, John, in saying there were 

 no vegetables to be had. Examine again and you may find 

 some you had overlooked. And the gardener goes according- 

 ly and finds them. As to their running to seed, this only 

 shows the friar an inattentive gardener. 



Many noblemen and others, says Ailred, sent their sons to 

 Ninian to be instructed in the holy scriptures and to be 

 educated. And on one occasion when Ninian was preparing 

 to castigate a youth the boy made off and endeavoured to 

 get into one of the wicker boats of the time, when the boat 

 upset and the boy was precipitated into the water. This was 

 looked upon as an interposition of Providence, and the boy, 

 pale and dripping, returned to his master. 



This anecdote has probably reference to an early period 

 of Ninian's career, when he was still at the Isle of Whithorn, 

 where the sea is close at hand. 



Ailred has some other anecdotes of Ninian. 



Tudvallas, a chieftain of one of the British tribes, being 

 taken with severe headache and blindness, sent for Ninian. 

 The holy man came at his request, and, after prayer to God, 

 he touched his head, making the sign of the cross, he was 

 cured, and derived a new life both in body and soul. 



On one occasion when visiting the huts of the people and 

 looking at their flocks and herds, it occurred to him to be- 

 stow upon them his episcopal benediction. So, collecting all 

 together in one place, he commended them to the divine care. 

 He then blessed the house of every honest woman, and com- 

 mended them for the night to God. And moved with 

 pity for the men, with many prayers and tears he besought 

 God for them, saying. You joke and jest and speak trifling 

 things ; think of the soul and of a future state. 



To St. Ninian, whose religious teachings and instructions 

 were from Rome, the Roman usages were the rule and 

 standard of Christianity, and whatever differed from them was 

 wrong or heretical. 



