and classifies the
causes of human errors.[296] Archbishop Bradwardine,[297] who died in
the great plague of 1349, restricts himself to theology, and in a book
famous during the Middle Ages, defends the "Cause of God" against all
sceptics, heretics, infidels, and miscreants, confuting them all, and
even Aristotle himself.[298]

No longer is Salerno alone to produce illustrious physicians, or Bologne
illustrious jurists. A "Rosa Anglica," the work of John of Gaddesden,
court physician under Edward II., has the greatest success in learned
Europe, and teaches how the stone can be cured by rubbing the invalid
with a paste composed of crickets and beetles pounded together, "but
taking care to first remove the heads and wings."[299] A multitude of
prescriptions, of the same stamp most of them, are set down in this
book, which was still printed and considered as an authority at the
Renaissance.

Bartholomew the Englishman,[300] another savant, yet more universal and
more celebrated, writes one of the oldest encyclopedias. His Latin book,
translated into several languages, and of which there are many very
beautiful manuscripts,[301] comprises everything, from God and the
angels down to beasts. Bartholomew teaches theology, philosophy,
geography, and history, the natural sciences, medicine, worldly
civility, and the art of waiting on table. Nothing is too high, or too
low, or too obscure for him; he is acquainted with the nature of angels,
as well as with that of fleas: "Fleas bite more sharply when it is going
to rain." He knows about diamonds, "stones of love and reconciliation";
and about man's dreams "that vary according to the variation of the
fumes that enter into the little chamber of his phantasy"; and about
headaches that arise from "hot choleric vapours, full of ventosity"; and
about the moon, that, "by the force of her dampness, sets her
impression in the air and engenders dew"; and about everything in fact.

The jurists are numerous; through them again the action of Rome upon
England is fortified. Even those among them who are most bent upon
maintaining the local laws and traditions, have constantly to refer to
the ancient law-makers and commentators; Roman law is for them a sort of
primordial and common treasure, open to all, and wherewith to fill the
gaps of the native legislation. The first lessons had been given after
the Conquest by foreigners: the Italian Vacarius, brought by Theobald,
Archbishop of Canterb