ϋ ΗΟϋΚΚ OF .AVENDOVER. [A.D. 1170. them altogether, preferring to live by the labour of bis hands : and he burnt boughs and branches of trees to ashes, which lie mixed with his barley Hour in such proportion that tinashes formed one-third of the whole; and be restrained the passions of the body by weeping, watching, and fasting, so that sometimes be even passed six days without eating. After tempting him strongly with luxury, the devil appeared to him in the form of a wild beast, such as a bear, a lion, bull, or wolf, a fox, or a toad, and endeavoured to alarm him ; but he was strong in faith and despised them all. To quench the burnings of the flesh, lie subdued his body bv the use of the harshest sackcloth, and for fifty years wore a coat of mail. His table was a broad flat stone, on which stood his bread, such as 1 have before described it, but he never tasted it until compelled by absolute necessity: bis drink was a moderate draught of water, and only when urged by extreme thirst; he never reposed in a bed, but would lie on the ground when he was fatigued, with his sackcloth under him, and with bis bead reclining on the stone which served hiin for a table. λ\ ben the moon shone, be devoted himself to his works, and, shaking off sleep, spent the time in prayer. In winter, amid snow and bail, be entered the river naked, and there, during the whole night, ottered himself up a living victim to the Lord, immersed up to his neck, and in this state poured forth psalms, and prayers, and tears. Whilst he was in the water, the devil used often to appear to him with all bis limbs distorted, and on the point of rushing on him, but he was repulsed in confusion at the sign of the holy cross ; be endeavoured, however, to carry oil' the clothes of the holy man, but was so terrified by GodricV shouts, that he cast them also away and fled. J/oie Suint (.'miiic one day saw a child eome forth from the month of the crucifix, and reverently settle himself in the bosom of its mother. One day, whilst the man of God was sitting in bis oratory repeating the psalter, be saw a little boy come out of the mouth of the crucifix, who, going to the image of the blessed virgin, which stood on the north end of the same plank, sat himself in her bosom. She, on the other hand, stretching out her hands to meet him, fondled him in her arms tor nearly three hours. The boy during the whole time