Gnomes, witches, goblins, those imaginary denizens of the spiritual world whose weird and mischievous antics were so well authenticated as to strike the simple masses with terror and to cause even the learned to shudder when their sins had not been removed by the godly solace of confession and absolution, were enlisted as the allies of the politic Church. By the aid of such auxiliaries and the ability to profit by every phase of human weakness and every incitement to human ambition, she has maintained her authority even under the most discouraging circumstances until her achievements in defiance of law and progress, arduous as they seem, are even less remarkable than the apparently eternal duration of her empire. CHAPTER XXVIII THE HISPANO-ARAB AGE OF LITERATURE AND SCIENCE 760–1450 Intellectual Stagnation of Europe during the Period of Moslem Greatness--High Rank of Scholars in Spain--Attainments of the Khalifs--Character of Arab Literature--Progress of Science--The Alexandrian Museum--Its Wonderful Discoveries--Its Contributions to Learning--Its Influence on the Career of the Mohammedans--The Arabic Language--Poetry of the Arabs--Its General Characteristics--Theology and Jurisprudence--History--Geography--Philosophy--Libraries-- Rationalism--Averroes--Mathematics--Astronomy--Al-Hazen--Gerbert --Botany--Alchemy--Chemistry--Pharmacy--Albertus Magnus, Robert Grossetete, and Roger Bacon--Medicine and Surgery--Ignorance of their Theories and Scientific Application in Mediæval Europe-- Prevalence of Imposture--Fatality of Epidemics--Great Advance of the Arabs in Medical Knowledge--Hospitals--Treatment of Various Diseases--The Famous Moslem Practitioners--Contrast between the Christian and the Mohammedan Systems--Enduring Effects of Arab Science--Its Example and Benefits the Creative Influence of Modern Civilization.