* * * * * _Hast thou not heard How when our clay is leaven’d first with life, The ministering Angel brings it from that spot Whereon ’tis written in the eternal book That soul and body must their parting take, And earth to earth return?_—XXIII. p. 217. The Persians in their creed have a pleasant imagination concerning the death of men. They say, that every one must come and die in the place where the Angel took the earth of which he hath been made, thinking that one of these spirits has the care of forming the human creature, which he doth by mingling a little earth with the seed.—_Thevenot._ * * * * * _They perish, all their thousands perish there._—XXIII. p. 220. The battle of Covadonga is one of the great miracles of Spanish history. It was asserted for many centuries without contradiction, and is still believed by the people, that when the Moors attacked Pelayo in the cave, their weapons were turned back upon themselves; that the Virgin Mary appeared in the clouds, and that part of a mountain fell upon the Infidels, and crushed those who were flying from the destruction. In what manner that destruction might have been effected, was exemplified upon a smaller scale in the Tyrol in the memorable war of 1809. Barret sums up the story briefly, and in the true strain of Mine Ancient. The Sarr’cen hearing that th’ Asturianites Had king created, and stood on their guard, Sends multitudes of Mohametized knights To rouse them out their rocks, and force their ward. Pelagius, hearing of this enterprize, Prepares his petty power on Auseve mount; Alchameh comes with Zarzen multiplies, Meaning Pelagius’ forces to dismount. To blows they come: but lo; a stroke divine. The Iber, few, beats numbrous Sarracene, Two myriads with Mahomet went to dine In Parca’s park. * * * * * _The Bread of Life._—XXIV. p. 229. It is now admitted by the best informed of the Romish writers themselves, that, for a thousand years, no other but common or leavened bread was used in the Eucharist. The wafer was introduced about the eleventh century. And as far down as the twelfth century the people were admitted to communicate in both kinds. * * * * * _And let no shame be offer’d his remains._—XXV. p. 234. According to the Comendador Fernan Nunez, in his Commentary upon the _Trezientas_, the tomb of Count Julian was shown in his days about four leagues from Huesca at a castle called Loarri, on the outside of a church which was in the castle. * * * * * _His wonted leathern gipion._—XXV. p. 236. The Musical Pilgrim in Purchas thus describes the Leonese:—