certain eastern Christians so called, who inhabit near mount Libanus in Syria. The name is derived either from a town in the country, called Maronia; or from St Maron, who built a monastery there in the fifth century.

The Maronites hold communion with the Romish church. Pope Gregory XIII. founded a college at Rome, where their youth are educated, and then sent to their own country. They formerly followed the errors of the Jacobites, Nestorians, and Monothelites; but they were re-united to the Roman church in the time Gregory XIII. and Clement VIII. The patriarch of the Maronites was present in the fourth Lateran Council, under Innocent III. in 1215.

The Maronites have their patriarch, archbishops, bishops, and about 150 inferior clergy, who are so oppressed by the Turks, that they are reduced to work for their living. They keep Lent according to the ancient rigour, eating but one meal a-day, and that after mass, which is said at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Their priests are distinguished by a blue scarf, which they wear about their caps. Married men may become priests, but none may marry after he is in orders. They wear no surplices, observe particular fasts, and The patriarch of the Maronites is a monk of St Anthony, claims the title of patriarch of Antioch, and is always called Peter. He has about nine bishops under him; and resides at Eden Canobin, a monastery built on a rock. They read their service both in the vulgar language and in Latin; and, while they perform it, turn their heads sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other, pronouncing the word Nunc or Eynam softly, which signifies yes; or yet verify, by which they express their assent to what they read. They have so great a veneration for their bishops, that they often prostrate themselves before them.

In 1180, the Maronites were above 40,000 in number, and very valiant. They did the kings of Jerusalem great service against the Saracens.

Besides several convents of Maronite monks, there is one of nuns, who are highly esteemed for their sanctity. This edifice is no more than a church, in which the nuns are shut up close, like pigeons in their holes, in little corners or cells, which are so low, that few of them can stand upright or turn themselves round in them.

To MAROON, to put one or more sailors ashore upon a desolate island, under pretence of their having committed some great crime. This detestable expedient has been repeatedly practised by some inhuman commanders of merchant-ships, particularly in the West Indies.