ch could not be
raised by the labor or the ingenuity of man; lest it should be an
hindrance to passengers approaching the city.

CHAPTER CLXV.

_Of the City of Ardmachia, and Twelve of its Citizens._

Then Patrick founded, according to the direction of the angels, a city,
fair in its site, its form, and its ambit, and when by the divine
assistance it was completed, he brought to dwell therein twelve
citizens, whom he had from all parts diligently and discreetly chosen:
and these he instructed in the Catholic doctrines of the Christian
faith. And he beautified the city with churches builded after a
becoming and spiritual fashion; and for the observance of divine
worship, for the government of souls, and for the instruction of the
Catholic flock, he appointed therein clerical persons; and he
instituted certain monasteries filled with monks, and others filled
with nuns, and placed them under the regulations of all possible
perfection. And in one of these monasteries was a certain brother, who
would not take either food or drink before the hour appointed by the
saint; and he perished of thirst; and Patrick beheld his soul ascending
into heaven, and placed among the martyrs. And in the convent of the
handmaidens of God, was a certain virgin, the daughter of a British
king, with nine other holy damsels, who had come with her unto Saint
Patrick, and of these, three in his presence went unto heaven. And in
this city placed he an archiepiscopal cathedral; and determined in his
mind that it should be the chief metropolis, and the mistress of all
Hibernia; and that this his purpose might remain fixed and by posterity
unaltered, he resolved to journey unto the apostolic seat, and confirm
it with authentic privileges.

CHAPTER CLXVI.

_At the Direction of the Angels Saint Patrick goeth unto Rome._

And the angel of the Lord appearing unto Patrick, approved the purpose
of his journey, and showed him that the Pope would bestow and divide
among many churches the relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and of
many saints. And as carriages were haply then wanting unto him, the
angels provided him with four chariots, as if sent from heaven, the
which conveyed him and his people unto the sea-side. Then the
glorified prelate Patrick; after that the urgency of his laborious
preaching was finished, and the abundance of so many and so great
miracles had converted the whole island, blessed and bade farewell to
the sever