the observance of the days set apart for the commemoration of Saints.[1]
Some of the older traditions are incorporated by the author, but he drew largely upon his imagination, both for his plan and many of the details. The writer pretends that the substance of the book was verbally spoken by Christ to his disciples on the mount of Olives, where they were all assembled when He addressed them. But, forgetting this reference to the disciples in the third person, towards the close of the book he introduces them in the second person: 'Now we apostles, when we heard,' etc. (chap. xxx. and similarly in chap. xxxii). The sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is limited to one year, whereas three years are assigned to it in the Arabic Gospel of the Infancy, and at least as many are required by Pseudo-Matthew. Such facts show that the tradi-
- ↑ The legend has been turned to account by some modern writers; as by the author of "Reflections on the prerogatives, power, and protection of St. Joseph, etc. London, 1825." At the same time the doleful account it gives of Joseph's death does not appear to be a popular one if we may judge from the following lines: —
"Thrice happy Saint of God, whose dying breath
Was poured forth in the fond encircling arms
Of Jesus and of Mary, glorious death,
That knew no fears, no terrors, or alarms!"("Hymn to St. Joseph," translated by D. French, Esq.)
