They call themselves Monks, or solitaries, because they choose to live alone, without any witnesses of their actions.

They fear the gifts of fortune, from the apprehension of losing them; and, lest they should be miserable, they embrace a life of voluntary wretchedness.

How absurd is their choice! how perverse their understanding! to dread the evils, without being able to support the blessings, of the human condition.

Either this melancholy madness is the effect of disease, or exercise on their own bodies the tortures which are inflicted on fugitive slaves by the hand of justice." [46] Such was the contempt of a profane magistrate for the monks as the chosen servants of God.

[47] Some of them were persuaded, by his entreaties, to embark on board the fleet; and it is observed, to the praise of the Roman general, that his days and nights were employed in prayer, fasting, and the occupation of singing psalms.