and appointed to the administration of the province of Campania, but he removed the seat of government from Capua to Nola for no other reason than because Bishop Felix (one of the earliest bishops of Nola) was buried at Cimitile near this latter place, and that the miracles said to be performed at his tomb attracted large numbers of people. Before long, Paulinus laid aside his worldly profession, and chose the priesthood; after he became a priest his poetical genius and his knowledge of Church history brought him into notice; his holy manner of life also caused him to be much respected; and in time he was raised to the Bishopric of Nola, where he died in 431; he was buried near Bishop Felix, where his tomb is still shown.
In his day the Christian churches were places of resort for the faithful. Eating, drinking, singing, and even dancing in unseemly fashion were incidents at the vigils of the feasts of the martyrs; and Paulinus tells us how he covered the church of Saint Felix, at Nola, and its adjuncts, with pictures, in the intention of supplying the assembled folk with something better to occupy their minds. The pictures were not symbolic or dogmatic, but had a simple educational purpose unconnected with ritual.[1] Even down to the present day Paulinus' memory is fresh in the minds of the people; this is not on account of his genius or the miracles which they believe him to have performed, but by reason of one good deed which is related of him. After he became a bishop, the only son of a widow at Nola was carried off into slavery, and taken to Africa. Paulinus, with true Christian self-negation, went thither, and in order to free the widow's son gave himself up to slavery in his stead. When his term had expired, and he was able to return home, all the people of Nola turned out of the town to receive him, and brought him back in triumph to his bishopric, with music, dancing, and rejoicing. This occurred on the 22nd of June in a certain year, of which the exact date is not known. It is the anniversary of this event which is still celebrated every year in Nola; an immense number of people from the furthest parts of old Campania go thither to take part in this feast. The sight must be a most curious one, judging from a rude coloured print purchased on the spot, on which are represented the guglie or
- ↑ Paulinus Nolanus, Poema di S. Felice natul, ix. 541, seq.
