also wholesomely, shamefacedness unto all Christ's faithful,
and ministers of the holy church." _Fol._ 131, _rect._
_Constitutions Provincialles, and of Otho aud [Transcriber's
Note: and] Octhobone._ Redman's edit. 1534, 12mo. On looking
into Du Pin's _Ecclesiastical History_, vol. ix., p. 58,
edit. 1699, I find that Hugh of Dia, by the ninth canon in
the council of Poictiers, (centy. xi.) ordained "That the
sub-deacons, deacons, and priests, shall have no concubine,
or any other suspicious women in their houses; and that all
those who shall wittingly hear the mass of a priest that
keeps a concubine, or is guilty of simony, shall be
excommunicated."]

PHIL. Shew me in what respect the gallant spirit of an ancient knight
was hostile to the cultivation of the belles-lettres?

LYSAND. Most readily. Look at your old romances, and what is the
system of education--of youthful pursuits--which they in general
inculcate? Intrigue and bloodshed.[214] Examine your favourite new
edition of the _Fabliaux et Contes_ of the middle ages, collected by
Barbazan! However the editor may say that "though some of these pieces
are a little too free, others breathe a spirit of morality and
religion--"[215] the main scope of the poems, taken collectively, is
that which has just been mentioned. But let us come to particulars.
What is there in the _Ordene de Chevalerie_, or _Le Castoiement d'un
Pere a son fils_ (pieces in which one would expect a little
seriousness of youthful instruction), that can possibly excite a love
of reading, book-collecting, or domestic quiet? Again; let us see what
these chivalrous lads do, as soon as they become able-bodied! Nothing
but assault and wound one another. Read concerning your favourite
_Oliver of Castile_,[216] and his half-brother _Arthur_! Or, open
the beautiful volumes of the late interesting translation of
Monstrelet, and what is almost the very first thing which meets your
eye? Why, "an Esquire of Arragon (one of your chivalrous heroes) named
Michel D'Orris, sends a challenge to an English esquire of the same
complexion with himself--and this is the nature of the challenge:
[which I will read from the volume, as it is close at my right hand,
and I have been dipping into it this morning in your absence--]

[Footnote 214: The celebrated LUDOVICUS VIVES has strung
together a whole list of ancient popular romances, calling
the