on with the rites of consecration, and solemnly placed the pretended relic among the other precious treasures of the shrine.[12] It may also be remarked, that the actions of one saint are often ascribed to another, and whole legions are repeated with only the change of a name.[13] With facts of this description before us, we are compelled, though with deep pain, to believe that deliberate imposture was often practised in reference to relics and miracles. The disposition of the people to believe in these absurdities shows, that superstition must have been the very element of their being. Their appetite for incredible stories was truly voracious. Still it might be hoped, that though the mind was degraded by such a credulous temper, vice would, in some measure, be held in check, by a belief m the close and miraculous intercourse which the departed saints kept up with the dwellers upon earth. But these spiritual beings, instead of having ascribed to them such a character of inflexible hatred to all transgression, as would make it impossible for any but the virtuous, or sincerely penitent, to obtain their favour, were represented as taking under their patronage the worst of sinners, upon the easy condition of their presenting some offering to the church, or of their even uttering a simple prayer. Among the popular legends of those days, there are stories of the Virgin Mary having interceded with her Divine Son, for the salvation of a dissolute monk, who had died without confession; and of her having, to the no small surprise of the executioner, kept alive on the gallows, for two days, a favourite thief, who addressed his usual prayer to her while the rope was round his neck.[14] [1] Bede, Ecc. Hist. lib. i. 30. [2] See an able article on the Popular Mythology of the Middle Ages, Quarterly Review, vol. xxii. p. 356. [3] Com. Laws of England, vol. iv. c. 27. [4] Fosbrock's Antiquities, Art. "Ordeal." [5] D'Achery, Spic. tom. ii. 87. [6] Du Cange, in v. Kalendæ. [7] Du Cange, v. Festum. [8] One of the Lipari islands. [9] D'Achery, Spic. tom. ii. 126. [10] Mabill. Ann. lib. liv. No. 101. See Giesler, Text Book of Ecclesiastical History, vol. ii. 124. [11] History of England, vol. i. p. 55. [12] Glaber Radulph, iv. c. 3. Giesler, Text Book of Ecclesiastical History, ii. 124. [13] Ibid. Giesler gives examples. [14] Hallam gives these and other stories more fully. Middle Ages, c. ix. p. 1. SECTION III. MORALS.