ow different," she added, "is our own state. We are as far removed
from the sinfulness of the world, as any hermit of the desert, whilst we
have the enjoyment of comforts to which they were strangers."

"But probably," I observed, "these men were penitents, and went into the
desert as much to punish their bodies for the transgressions of the
flesh, as to acquire by solitary communion, a better knowledge of the
spirit than they were likely to obtain in their old haunts."

"Some were penitents, no doubt," she answered, "but they, having
obtained by their sanctity an extraordinary reputation, induced others,
whose lives had been blameless, to follow their example, and in time the
desert became colonised with recluses, who rivalled each other in the
intensity of their devotions and the extent of their privations."

"Would it not have been more commendable," I asked, "if these men had
remained in the community to which they belonged, withstanding
temptation, and employed in labour that was creditable to themselves,
and useful to their country?"

"No doubt it would,"--she replied; "but religion has unfortunately, too
often been the result of impulse rather than conviction; and at the
period to which we are referring, it was thought that sinful human
nature could only gain the attributes of saintship by neglecting its
social duties, and punishing its humanity in the severest manner. Even
in more recent times, and at the present day, in Catholic countries, it
is customary for individuals of both sexes, to abandon the world of
which they might render themselves ornaments, and shut themselves up in
buildings constructed expressly to receive them, where they continue to
go through a course of devotions and privations till death puts an end
to their voluntary imprisonment.

"In this modified instance of seclusion," she added, "there are features
very different from our own case. We are not forced to impoverish our
blood with insufficient diet, or mortify our flesh with various forms of
punishment. We do not neglect the worship of God. We offer up daily
thanks for His loving care of us, and sing His praises in continual
hymns; and instead of wasting the hours of the day in unmeaning
penances, we fill up our time in employments that add to our health,
comfort, and happiness; and that enable us the better to appreciate the
goodness of that Power who is so mindful of our welfare."

"Have you no wish, then, to leave this islan