they were there held appears from the most important affairs, sacred
and civil, being committed to their administration. They were deemed
the oracles of the eastern countries. These that came to Bethlehem
on this solemn occasion are vulgarly called kings, as they very
likely were at least of an inferior and subordinate rank. They are
called princes by Tertullian, (L. contra Judaeos, c. 9, L. 5, contra
Marcion.) See Gretser, l. 1. de Festis, c. 30, (T. 5, Op. nup. ad.
Ratisp.) Baronius ad ann. l, n. 30, and the learned author Annot.
ad histor. vitae Christi, Urbini, anno 1730, c. 7, who all agree that
the Magi seem to have been governors, or petty princes, such
anciently being often styled kings. See a full account of the Magi,
or Magians, in Prideaux's Connexion, p. 1, b. 4.
16. St. Leo, Serm. 30, &c. St. Caesar. Serm. 139, &c. See Maldonat. on
Saint Matt. ii. for the grounds of this opinion. Honoratus of St.
Mary, Regles de la Critique, l. 3, diss. 4, a. 2, F. Ayala in Pictor
Christian. l. 3, c. 3, and Benedict XIV. de Festis Christi. l. 1, c.
2, de Epiph. n. 7, p. 22. This last great author quotes a picture
older than St. Leo, found in an ancient Roman cemetery, of which a
type was published at Rome in a collection of such monuments printed
at Rome in 1737. T. 1., Tab. 22.
17. 1 Cor. x. 5.
18. Heb. xiii. 17.
19. This consisted principally of the chief priests and scribes or
doctors of the law.
20. Ch. v. 2.
21. Ser. 36, in Epiph. 7, n. 2.
22. Luke xix. 14.
23. Myrrh was anciently made use of in embalming dead bodies: a fit
emblem of mortification, because this virtue preserves the soul from
the corruption of sin.

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S. MELANIUS, B.C.

HE was a native of Placs or Plets, in the diocese of Vannes in Brittany
and had served God with great fervor in a monastery for some years, when
Noon the death of St. Amandus, bishop of Rennes, he was compelled by the
clergy and people to fill that see, though his humility made great
opposition. His virtue was chiefly enhanced by a sincere humility, and a
spirit of continual prayer. The author of his life tells us, that he
raised one that was dead to life, and performed many other miracles.
King Clovis after his conversion held him in great veneration. The
almost entire extirpation of idolatry in the diocese of Rennes was the
fruit of our saint's zeal. He died in a monastery which he had bui