(A.D. 1411.)
[Martyrology of Camaldoli, and Bucelinus in his Menology of the Order
of S. Benedict. Authority:--Augustine Fortunatus in his History of the
Order of Camaldoli.]
S. Daniel was a German by birth; having entered a mercantile life,
his business took him to Venice. But though the affairs of commerce
engaged the greater part of his time, they did not take possession of
his heart, and whenever he had a few minutes of leisure, he was wont
to hasten to a church, and spend the precious moments in prayer. Also
to prevent himself from becoming ensnared with the love of gain, he
regularly distributed a portion of all his proceeds among the poor. The
convent of S. Matthias belonging to the Order of Camaldoli presented
to his mind great attractions, and he was fond of entering it for the
purpose of making retreats, or for converse with the fathers, or for
the sake of the peace and atmosphere of prayer which hung about its
cloisters.
At length he resolved to live nearer to that house which was to him
a port of safety, and he obtained permission from the prior to build
himself a chamber opening on the cloisters, into which he might retire
as guest of the Fathers, without giving up his business, and adopting
the habit and rule of the Order. In 1411 he was assassinated in this
little room, one night, by robbers who broke in, thinking that they
would find therein considerable wealth amassed.
His relics are preserved in a shrine in the church of Camaldoli at
Venice, where an altar is erected under his invocation.
[Illustration: Two winged horses (hippalectryon)]
_Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
_Edinburgh and London_
* * * * *