These that came to Bethlehem on this solemn occasion are vulgarly called kings, as they very likely were at least of an inferior and subordinate rank. They are called princes by Tertullian, (L. contra Judaeos, c. 9, L. 5, contra Marcion.) See Gretser, l. 1. de Festis, c. 30, (T. 5, Op. nup. ad. Ratisp.) Baronius ad ann. l, n. 30, and the learned author Annot. ad histor. vitae Christi, Urbini, anno 1730, c. 7, who all agree that the Magi seem to have been governors, or petty princes, such anciently being often styled kings. See a full account of the Magi, or Magians, in Prideaux's Connexion, p. 1, b. 4. 16. St. Leo, Serm. 30, &c. St. Caesar. Serm. 139, &c. See Maldonat. on Saint Matt. ii. for the grounds of this opinion. Honoratus of St. Mary, Regles de la Critique, l. 3, diss. 4, a. 2, F. Ayala in Pictor Christian. l. 3, c. 3, and Benedict XIV. de Festis Christi. l. 1, c. 2, de Epiph. n. 7, p. 22. This last great author quotes a picture older than St. Leo, found in an ancient Roman cemetery, of which a type was published at Rome in a collection of such monuments printed at Rome in 1737. T. 1., Tab. 22. 17. 1 Cor. x. 5. 18. Heb. xiii. 17. 19. This consisted principally of the chief priests and scribes or doctors of the law. 20. Ch. v. 2. 21. Ser. 36, in Epiph. 7, n. 2. 22. Luke xix. 14. 23. Myrrh was anciently made use of in embalming dead bodies: a fit emblem of mortification, because this virtue preserves the soul from the corruption of sin. {100} S. MELANIUS, B.C. HE was a native of Placs or Plets, in the diocese of Vannes in Brittany and had served God with great fervor in a monastery for some years, when Noon the death of St. Amandus, bishop of Rennes, he was compelled by the clergy and people to fill that see, though his humility made great opposition. His virtue was chiefly enhanced by a sincere humility, and a spirit of continual prayer. The author of his life tells us, that he raised one that was dead to life, and performed many other miracles. King Clovis after his conversion held him in great veneration. The almost entire extirpation of idolatry in the diocese of Rennes was the fruit of our saint's zeal. He died in a monastery which he had built at Placs, the place of his nativity, according to Dom Morice, in 490. He was buried at Rennes, where his feast is kept on the 6th of November. In the Roman Martyrology he is commemorated on the 6th of January. St. Gregory, of Tours, mentions a stately church erected over his tomb. Solomon, sovereign prince of Brittany, in 840, founded a monastery under his invocation, which still subsists in the suburbs of Rennes, of the Benedictin order. See the anonymous ancient life of St. Melanius in Bollandus; also St. Greg. Tour. l. de glor. Conf. c. 55. Argentre, Hist. de Bretagne. Lobineau, Vies des Saints de Bretagne, p.32 Morice, Hist. de Bretagne, note 28, p. 932. SAINT NILAMMON, A HERMIT, NEAR PELUSIUM, IN EGYPT,