ets, no
virtue in charms; and that, though saint-relics may serve to excite the
imagination of the ignorant, they are altogether beneath the attention
of the philosopher.

[Sidenote: Medical conflict between Europe and Africa.]

It was this last sentiment which brought Europe and Africa into
intellectual collision. The Saracen and Hebrew physicians had become
thoroughly materialized. Throughout Christendom the practice of medicine
was altogether supernatural. It was in the hands of ecclesiastics; and
saint relics, shrines, and miracle-cures were a source of boundless
profit. On a subsequent page I shall have to describe the circumstances
of the conflict that ensued between material philosophy on one side, and
supernatural jugglery on the other; to show how the Arab system gained
the victory, and how, out of that victory, the industrial life of Europe
arose. The Byzantine policy inaugurated in Constantinople and Alexandria
was, happily for the world, in the end overthrown. To that future page I
must postpone the great achievements of the Arabians in the fulness of
their Age of Reason. When Europe was hardly more enlightened than
Caffraria is now, the Saracens were cultivating and even creating
science. Their triumphs in philosophy, mathematics, astronomy,
chemistry, medicine, proved to be more glorious, more durable, and
therefore more important than their military actions had been.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE AGE OF FAITH IN THE WEST--(_Continued_).

IMAGE-WORSHIP AND THE MONKS.

_Origin of_ IMAGE-WORSHIP.--_Inutility of Images discovered in
Asia and Africa during the Saracen Wars.--Rise of Iconoclasm._

_The Emperors prohibit Image-worship.--The Monks, aided by
court Females, sustain it.--Victory of the latter._

_Image-worship in the West sustained by the Popes.--Quarrel
between the Emperor and the Pope.--The Pope, aided by the
Monks, revolts and allies himself with the Franks._

THE MONKS.--_History of the Rise and Development of
Monasticism.--Hermits and Coenobites.--Spread of Monasticism
from Egypt over Europe.--Monk Miracles and
Legends.--Humanization of the monastic Establishments.--They
materialize Religion, and impress their Ideas on Europe._

[Sidenote: Influence of the Arabians.]

The Arabian influence, allying itself to philosophy, was henceforth
productive of other than military results. To the loss of Africa and
Asia was now added a d