finished. The manuscript written for Cronan is possibly
the book of Dimma, which bears the inscription: "It is
finished. A prayer for Dimma, who wrote it for God, and
a blessing."[3]

[1] See La Bibliofilia, xi. 165.

[2] Acta SS. Ap., iii. 581c.

[3] Healy, 524.


It was believed such books could not be injured. St.
Ciaran's copy of the Gospels fell into a lake, but was
uninjured. St. Cronan's copy fell into Loch Cre, and remained
under water forty days without injury. Even fire
could not harm St. Cainnech's case of books.[1] Nor is it
surprising they should be looked upon as sacred. The
scribes and illuminators who took such loving care to make
their work perfect, and the craftsmen who wrought beautiful
shrines for the books so made, were animated with the
feeling and spirit which impels men to erect beautiful
churches to testify to the glory of their Creator. As
Dimma says, they "wrote them for God."

[1] Other instances are cited in Adamnan, book ii., chap 8.



CHAPTER II. THE ENGLISH MONKS AND THEIR BOOKS