observing monastic discipline and singing daily in the
church, he took pleasure in learning, or teaching, or writing.[6]
The picture of Bede in his solitary monastery, leading a
placid life among Benedict's books, poring over the beautifully-
wrought pages with the scholar's tense calm to find
the material in the Fathers and the historians, and to seek
the apt quotation from the classics, must always flash to the
mind at the mere mention of his name.[7] Every fact in
connexion with his work testifies to the excellent equipment
of his monastery for writing ecclesiastical history, and to
the cordial way in which the religious co-operated for the
advancement of learning and research.

[1] These foundations were regarded as one house, the inmates
being bound together by "a common and perpetual affection and
intimacy."

[2] "Innumerabilem librorum omnis generis copiam
apportavit."--Vitae Abbatum, Section 4.

[3] "Copiosissima et nobilissima bibliotheca."--Ib. Section 11.

[4] Lanciani, Anc. Rome, 201.

[5] Ceoffrid, Benedict Biscop's successor, added a number of
books to the library, among them three copies of the Vulgate, and
one of the older version. One copy of the Vulgate Ceolfrid took
with him to Rome (716) to give to the Pope. He died on the way.
The codex did not go to Rome; now, it is in the Laurentian
Library, Florence, where it is known as the Codex Amiatinus. The