The cobbler came by again, and soon discovered that the fault he had pointed out had been remedied; and, emboldened by the success of his criticism, began to express his opinion pretty freely about the painting of the _leg_! This was too much for the patience of the artist, who rushed from his hiding-place, and told the cobbler _to stick to his shoes_. Hence the proverb, which for more than two thousand years[73] has expressed the common feeling, that critics would do well not to venture beyond their legitimate province. [73] It is used by Pliny, who died A.D. 79. TWO SHOEMAKER-BISHOPS--ANNIANUS OF ALEXANDRIA, AND ALEXANDER OF COMANA. If the shoemaker has found a place in classic history, it must not be forgotten that he has a place in ecclesiastical history also. In two instances a shoemaker is said to have been taken direct from the stall and elevated to the episcopal chair. No doubt many shoemakers have been endowed with sufficient piety and learning for this sacred and dignified office, and probably not a few have deemed themselves fit, whether they were so or not, to discharge its high functions; but the instances here given are, we believe, quite unique. The first is that of Anianus or Annianus (A.D. 62-86), who is said to have been appointed by St. Mark to assist him in the government of the Church at Alexandria. On the outbreak of persecution under Nero, Mark fled from the city; and, as Eusebius says, "Nero was now in his eighth year, when Annianus succeeded the Apostle and Evangelist Mark in the administration of the Church at Alexandria." The historian adds, "He (Annianus) was a man distinguished for piety, and admirable in every respect."[74] He died in the fourth year of Domitian, 86 A.D. He was the first Bishop of Alexandria, and filled the office twenty-two years.[75] To these simple statements of the historian are added the stories which found a ready acceptance in later times. To the fact that the worthy Alexandrian was a _shoemaker_ tradition added the account of the miracle wrought upon him by St. Mark. One account tells us that the Evangelist, on passing along the street, burst his shoe and turned in to get it repaired, and so became acquainted with Annianus. Another version of the story declares that the cobbler, having hurt his hand with an awl, uttered a not very pious exclamation, which Mark overheard as he passed by, and going in to inquire the cause, took the opportunity not only to heal the wound, but to speak to the impatient workman of the true and living God whose name he had taken in vain. Annianus is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology with St. Mark on the 25th April.[76] [74] Eccles. Hist., Book ii. cap. xxiv. [75] Ibid., Book iii. cap. xiv. [76] Annianus is regarded in some countries as the patron saint of shoemakers. Campion's "Delightful History of ye Gentle Craft." Northampton: Taylor & Son, 2d ed., 1876, p. 25.