Jesus Christ, and of that Father of the spirits of all flesh, who
made love, and marriage, and little children, sunshine and flowers,
the wings of butterflies and the song of birds; who rejoices in his
own works, and bids all who truly reverence him rejoice in them with
him. The fancy may seem impossible. It is not more impossible than
many religious phenomena seemed forty years ago, which are now no
fancies, but powerful facts.

The following books should be consulted by those who wish to follow
out this curious subject in detail:--

The "Vitae Patrum Eremiticorum."

The "Acta Sanctorum." The Bollandists are, of course, almost
exhaustive of any subject on which they treat. But as they are
difficult to find, save in a few public libraries, the "Acta
Sanctorum" of Surius, or of Aloysius Lipommasius, may be profitably
consulted. Butler's "Lives of the Saints" is a book common enough,
but of no great value.

M. de Montalembert's "Moines d'Occident," and Ozanam's "Etudes
Germaniques," may be read with much profit.

Dr. Reeves' edition of Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," published by
the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society, is a treasury of
learning, which needs no praise of mine.

The lives of St. Cuthbert and St. Godric may be found among the
publications of the Surtees Society.