PROGRESS OP MONACHISM. sSl 



chomius thought it as well to fetch a couple of phyfi- 

 cians from the city of Panopel, which lay at no great 

 diftance. The phytic ians, very judiciouily, told Pale- 

 mon that he muft eat. But he would not eat : and 

 died. 



Tabenna continued now to be the relidence of Pa- 

 chomius. His brother however foon came to him, 

 whom, fince his difmiffion from the roman army, he 

 had feen as little as the reft of his family. They fet 

 immediately about enlarging their little habitation, in 

 hopes of harbouring more good people there. But 

 the brother died ; and now Pachomius was once more 

 alone. 



The devils prefently began their catlerwaulings. — 

 Poor Pachomius now likewife faw virions ; and both 

 were very natural, as he had fo difufed himfelf to 

 lleep, that he could pafs forty nights fucceffively with- 

 out once dozing. It is well known, that, after fuch 

 long watchings and macerations, a man may fee what 

 ever he chufes. However, as this extenuated condi- 

 tion was no longer bearable, Pachomius had a very ra- 

 tional virion ; in confequence whereof he thought it ad- 

 vifable to procure fome fociety. Accordingly, who- 

 ever, among fuch as came to vifit him, fhewed any 

 willingnefs and deiire to become a monk, he detained, 

 and made him one. 



Thus, about the year of Chrift 315, the firft regular 

 cloifter in the world, arofe at Tabenna, folely from the 

 ennui of Pachomius. Only the name cloifter [clauf- 

 trum] was not yet known ; as the orientals had yet no- 

 claufure. We hence perceive that what we now call 

 cloifters, obtained that denomination, from this original 

 6 foun- 



