PROGRESS OF MONACHISM. * fifjg 



the flioulders. In the church, they threw over this a 

 little mantle of linen, about their neck and moulders. 



They were obliged to faft only twice in the week ; 

 but any one might ftarve himfelf that pleafed. The 

 infirm were always firft ferved with food. Their ordi- 

 nary commons confirmed in bread, falted olives, fallad, 

 with oil and vinegar, figs, and other fruits. Occasi- 

 onally they had falted pot-herbs, at times little dried 

 fifh, alfo lentils, and other vegetables drefled in oil. 

 Wine and flefh were only adminiftered to the aged and 

 infirm. They were not allowed to fpeak at their re- 

 pafts, neither was any lecture permitted at that time, 

 nor dare any one to look at another while eating. All 

 therefore fat round the table with their cowls drawn 

 over their eyes. The fame thing was done when at 

 prayers or at work. According to the rule of Pacho- 

 mius, a monk muft be always alone even amongft man- 

 kind ; always occupied with his own ideas ; and there- 

 fore he pulled all his monks' hoods down upon their 

 nofes. 



Strangers, however, v/ere very cordially received in 

 thefe monafteries. The monks even warned their feet 

 for them. Women too were admitted at all hours, 

 only their feet were not warned for them, on account 

 of the conflicts many monks had had at the fight of a 

 handfome foot. The women therefore had a parti- 

 cular habitation affigned them apart ; they had like- 

 wife the liberty of coming into the church, but only 

 when the monks were not there. The relations of a 

 monk might bring provifions and fruit ; the monk, was 

 permitted to tafte a little of what was thus brought! ; 



and 



