You know that with us Continental people you have the reputation of being extravagant, even magnificent, in your ideas, but of being also ascetics in some measure,-loving to make yourselves strangely uncomfortable, fond of getting very hot, and of taking very cold baths, and of living on raw meat and cold potatoes and all manner of strange things.
"Paul Patoff"
F. Marion Crawford
Often now at night, though she never spoke of it, the little apartment was peopled by the spirits of her reading and her ideals-mystics, priests, prophets, teachers, ascetics.
"She Buildeth Her House"
Will Comfort
There was, however, one enjoyment which Paula allowed herself: she was one of a circle of ladies, all ascetics like herself, who were devoted to the study of literature.
"Women of Early Christianity Woman: In all ages and in all countries, Vol. 3 (of 10)"
Alfred Brittain Mitchell Carroll