a person who wholly dedicates himself to the service of religion, in some monastery, under the direction of particular statutes and rules.

The most probable account of the original of the monks is, that in the Decian persecution, in the middle of the third century, many persons in Egypt, to avoid the fury of the storm, fled to the neighbouring deserts and mountains, where they not only found a safe retreat, but also more time and liberty to exercise themselves in acts of piety and divine contemplations; which sort of life became so agreeable, that, when the persecution was over, they refused to return to their habitations again, choosing rather to continue in those cottages and cells which they had made for themselves in the wilderness. From that time to the reign of Constantine, monachism was confined to the hermits or anachorets, who lived in private cells in the wilderness: but when Pachomius had erected Monasteries, other countries presently followed the example.

The manner of admission to the monastic life was usually by some change of habit; not to signify any religious mystery, but only to express their gravity and contempt of the world. Long hair was always thought an indecency in men, and favouring of secular vanity; and therefore they polled every monk at his admission, to distinguish him from seculars; but they never shaved them, lest they should look like the priests of Isis. St Jerom, speaking of the habits of the monks, intimates that it differed from that of others only in this, that it was cheaper, coarser, and meaner raiment. We read of no solemn vow, or profession, required at their admission; but they underwent a triennial probation, during which time they were inured to the exercises of the monastic life. If, after that time was expired, they chose to continue the same exercises, they were then admitted, without any further ceremony, into the community. As the monasteries had no standing revenues, all the monks were obliged to maintain themselves by their daily labour: they had no idle mendicants among them; but looked upon a monk who did not work, as a covetous defrauder. Every ten monks were subject to one, who was called the deacon, or dean, from his presiding over ten; and every hundred had another officer called centenarius, from his presiding over an hundred; and above these were the fathers of the monasteries, also called abbots. The business of the deans was to exact every man's daily task, and carry it to the steward, who gave a monthly account of it to the abbot. See Abbot.

For a particular account of the present monastic orders, see Augustins, Benedictines, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, &c.

Monk (George), a personage memorable for having been the principal agent in restoring Charles II. to his crown, was descended from a very ancient family, and born in Devonshire in 1608. Being an unprovided younger son, he dedicated himself to arms from his youth, and obtained a pair of colours in the expedition to the Isle of Rhée: he served afterwards in the Low Countries with reputation in both king Charles's northern expeditions; and did such service in quelling the Irish rebellion, that he was appointed governor of Dublin. Dublin, but was superseded by parliamentary authority. Being made major-general of the Irish brigade employed in the siege of Nantwich in Cheshire, he was taken prisoner by Sir Thomas Fairfax, and remained confined in the tower of London until the year 1646; when, as the means of liberty, he took the Covenant, and accepted a command in the Irish service under the parliament. He obtained the command in chief of all the parliamentary forces in the north of Ireland, where he did signal services, until he was called to account for a treaty made with the Irish rebels; a circumstance which was only obliterated by his future good fortune. He served against Charles II. under Oliver Cromwell with such success, that Oliver left him there as commander in chief; and he was one of the commissioners for uniting that kingdom with the new-erected commonwealth. He served at sea also against the Dutch; and was treated so kindly on his return, that Oliver is said to have grown jealous of him. He was, however, again sent to Scotland as commander in chief, and continued there five years: when he dissembled so well, and improved circumstances so dextrously, that he aided the desires of a wearied people, and restored the king without any disturbance; for which he was immediately rewarded both with honours and profits. See BRITAIN, no 194, &c.—He was created duke of Albemarle, with a grant of 7000l. per annum estate, beside other emoluments; and enjoyed the confidence of his master without forfeiting that of the people. After his death, in 1670, there was published a treatise composed by him while he remained prisoner in the tower, intitled, Observations on military and political affairs, a small folio.

Monkey, in zoology. See Ape, and Simia.

Monks-Hood, or Wolf's-bane. See Aconitum.

Since the time of Theophrastus, most of the species of monks-hood have been reckoned a deadly poison both to men and brutes. Dioscorides, however, recommends the external application of common monks-hood for pains of the eyes. The flowers of a great many species communicate their noxious quality by being smelled to; and those of the species called napellus being placed on the head, occasion a violent megrim. Of the bad qualities of these plants we sometimes avail ourselves to get rid of vermin. A decoction of the roots destroys bugs; the same part being powdered and administered in bread or some other palatable vehicle, to rats and mice, corrodes and inflames their intestines, and soon proves mortal. The juice of the plant is used to poison flesh with, for the destruction of wolves, foxes, and other ravenous beasts. The best antidote to the poison of the different monks-hoods is said to be the root of a species of the same genus, hence termed healthful or wholesome monks-hood. It is the aconitum anthora of Linnæus. The same plant is regarded as efficacious against bites of serpents and other venomous creatures. The roots have a bitter acrid taste; the leaves are only bitter: the former are chiefly used in medicine; and, besides the excellent quality just mentioned, are stomachic, and promote perspiration. The peasants, who gather the plants on the Alps and Pyrenees, are said to use it with success against the biting of mad dogs, and to cure the colic. It is remarkable, that the monks-hoods with blue flowers are much more virulent than the yellow or white-flowered kinds. Miller affirms Monmouth, that the huntsmen of the wolves and other wild beasts on the Alps, dip their arrows into the juice of those plants, which renders the wounds made by them deadly.