214 RECORDS OF OLD TIMES 



they originated centuries before they became part of 

 the belief of more modern times. Take, for example, 

 that really touching and beautiful legend of ' Rip 

 Van Winkle.' This is merely a revival of the story 

 of the ' Seven Sleepers,' which belongs to the time 

 of Theodosius, and the conquest of Africa by the 

 Vandals. It is stated that after the seven noble 

 Christian youths of Ephesus had been concealed in 

 a cave, to save themselves from persecution, they fell 

 into a deep slumber, and without injuring the powers 

 of life, they awoke after they had been in concealment 

 for 187 years. On awaking, they thought they had 

 only slept a few hours ! and feeling very hungry, 

 they sent one of their number secretly, with orders 

 to return to the city, after purchasing food for his 

 companions. On the youth going to his native 

 city, he could no longer recognise it, and he was 

 surprised at seeing over the principal gate of 

 Ephesus a large cross, and on going to a baker's for 

 bread, his singular dress and his language con- 

 founded the baker, and when he offered for payment 

 an ancient coin of Decius, as a current coin of the 

 Empire, the poor youth was dragged before the judge, 

 on suspicion of having found a secret treasure. After 

 mutual inquiries they made the amazing discovery 

 that nearly two centuries had elapsed since they had 

 escaped from their Pagan tyrant. The Bishop of 

 Ephesus, accompanied by the magistrates, and even 

 by the Emperor Theodosius himself hastened to visit 

 the cave of the Seven Sleepers, when they related 

 their story, and on receiving the benediction of the 



