“Friar Bacon.”—Though an extraordinary man, could not entirely free himself from the prejudices of his times. He believed in the philosopher’s stone, and in astrology. There are to be found in his writings new and ingenious views on optics, on the refraction of light on the apparent magnitudes of objects, on the magnified appearance of the sun and moon when in the horizon. He also states that thunder and lightning could be imitated by means of saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal. Hence he had already an idea of gunpowder.
Note JJJJJ.—[Page 440.]
“Albertus Magnus.”—During the year 1280, died the celebrated Albert the Great, of the Order of Preaching Friars, less known as a monk than a magician. The prodigious diversity of his learning, and the taste which he had for experiments in alchemy, which he himself called magical operations, caused a superhuman power to be attributed to him. Besides the automaton which St. Thomas de Aquinas, his disciple, broke with a club, it is affirmed that Albert entertained William, Count of Holland, at a miraculous banquet in the garden of his cloister and that though it was in the depth of winter, the trees appeared as in spring, covered with flowers and leaves, which vanished as if by enchantment, after the repast.—History of the Popes.
Note KKKKK.—[Page 446.]
“I was anxious.”—This passage is quoted from Falcando, an Italian historian of the twelfth century.
Note LLLLL.—[Page 449.]
“Shepherd of Cotswold.”—To Eleanora, is due the credit of introducing the Spanish breed of sheep into England.
Note MMMMM.—[Page 452.]
“Red stockings.”—According to Michelet, Procida influenced the pope to sign the treaty with the Greek Emperor, by repeating the insulting allusion of Charles to the purple buskins worn by the pontiff.
Note NNNNN.—[Page 453.]