ISLAND OF PATMOS. 41 
a vaulted stone roof; and found it to be nearly 
filled with books, of all sizes, in a most neglected 
state ; some lying upon the floor, a prey to the 
damp and to worms ; others standing upon 
shelves, but without any kind of order. The 
books upon the shelves were all printed 
volumes ; for these, being more modern, were 
regarded as the more valuable, and had a better 
station assigned them than the rest, many of 
which were considered only as so much rubbish. 
Some of the printed books were tolerably well 
bound, and in good condition. The Superior 
said, these were his favourites ; but when we 
took down one or two of them to examine their 
contents, we discovered that neither the Supe- ignorance 
rior nor his colleague were able to read 3 . They Monks. 
had a confused traditionary recollection of the 
names of some of them, but knew no more of 
their contents than the Grand Signior. We saw 
here the first edition of the Anthologia, in quarto, 
printed at Florence, in capital letters, A. D. 
(3) Mons. De Choiseul- Goiifflcr (Voyage Pittoresque de la Grece, 
lam. I. p. 103.) found only three mouks iu Patmos who knew how 
to read. Sonnini speaks of tlieir extraordinary ignorance ; but be is 
mistaken when be affirms that they have no library. " There is no 
library," says he, " in the Convent ; and of what utility would it be, 
amon^ people who, for the most part, cannot read." See Sonnini's 
Travels in Greece, Sfc. ch. 35. p. 473. Lontf. 1801. 
