is  therefore  suspicious.  It  is  also  quite  true
that  there  is  great  confusion  as  to  the  names  of
these  sisters^  and  of  their  sons.  No  doubt  their
history  is  full  of  fable  and  all  sorts  of  blunders.
But  Dr.  Pctrie's  discovery  shews  that  we  ought
to  use  great  caution  in  dogmatically  rejecting  as
fable  all  that  we  find  even  in  the  midst  of  the
most  silly  legend.  The  facts  are  doubtless  over-
laid with  childish  stories  :  but  let  us  beware  lest,
if  we  cast  out  the  rubbish  without  sifting,  we
should  cast  out  also  precious  stones  which  have
long  lain  concealed  in  the  mass.
His  con-  Of  his  condition   and  adventures  during  his

djdon  in  his  .     .         .  ,  ,  ^

captivity,  captivity  in  Ireland  St.  Patrick  gives  us  an  in-
teresting account  in  the  Confessio:  premising
that  he  did  so  for  the  sake  of  making  known
God's  grace  and  everlasting  consolation^  to
spread  the  knowledge  of  God*s  Name ;  as  well  as
to  leave    it    on    record    after    his    death   to  his


might  have  said  this  even  though  his  or  following  century.     LamgOMf  u

sisters  had  afterwards  foliowed  him  127.
to  Ireland.  'Numquid  sine  Deo,  vel  '  OmsoUuiom.  This  is  one  of  thoie
secundum  camem  Hiberionem  veni  ?  passages  which  the  scribe  of  the  B.
