[98] The present Michilstadt, thirty miles N.E. of Heidelberg.
[99] In the Middle Ages one of the most favourite accusations against witches was that they committed just these enormities.
[100] It is pretty clear that Eginhard had his doubts about the deacon, whose pledges he qualifies as sponsiones incertæ. But, to be sure, he wrote after events which fully justified scepticism.
[101] The words are scrinia sine clave, which seems to mean "having no key." But the circumstances forbid the idea of breaking open.
[102] Eginhard speaks with lofty contempt of the "vana ac superstitiosa præsumptio" of the poor woman's companions in trying to alleviate her sufferings with "herbs and frivolous incantations." Vain enough, no doubt, but the "mulierculæ" might have returned the epithet "superstitious" with interest.
[103] Of course there is nothing new in this argument; but it does not grow weaker by age. And the case of Eginhard is far more instructive than that of Augustine, because the former has so very frankly, though incidentally, revealed to us not only his own mental and moral habits, but those of the people about him.
[104] See 1 Cor. xii. 10-28; 2 Cor. vi. 12; Rom. xv. 19.
[105] A Journal or Historical Account of the Life, Travels, Sufferings, and Christian Experiences, &c., of George Fox. Ed. 1694, pp. 27, 28.
[106] I may perhaps return to the question of the authorship of the Gospels. For the present I must content myself with warning my readers against any reliance upon Dr. Wace's statements as to the results arrived at by modern criticism. They are as gravely as surprisingly erroneous.
[107] The United States ought, perhaps, to be added, but I am not sure.