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took place in 1440 which completely turned the .tide of 

 events. In that year the art of printing was introduced 

 into Europe by the Venetians, who had learnt it from 

 the Chinese ; and in 1469 it was carried to France, and 

 from thence to all the great cities of the continent. At 

 first the Church paid little heed to the innovation ; but it 

 soon became apparent that a dangerous medium had 

 been introduced for intercommunication of the people 

 and their governments, which must lessen the need and 

 importance of a religious medium. Books were only 

 allowed to be published under the supervision of the 

 ecclesiastical authority, and heavy penalties inflicted upon 

 all who attempted to circulate any heretical works. The 

 writings of Averroes, Maimonides, and other heretics, 

 were ordered to be burnt, the doctrines taught by them 

 being declared blasphemous and subversive of all good 

 government. The leading and most learned Jews and 

 Mohammedans in Spain and Southern France were 

 avowed Averroists, and did not shrink from preaching 

 their doctrines in the public thoroughfares ; and the in- 

 fection was extending so rapidly that the Church feared 

 that a great calamity would overtake the orthodox faith 

 unless some steps were taken to put a stop to the heresy. 

 The Inquisition, which had been found so effective in 

 silencing heretics in France, was now utilised for dealing 

 with the Jews and Moors. A cry was made in Castile 

 by the orthodox Christians for the establishment of the 

 Inquisition in Spain, which was immediately taken up by 

 all haters of progress ; and so great was the influence 

 brought to bear by the Dominican monk and arch-fiend, 

 Torquemada, upon the Queen Isabella that the Pope 

 was petitioned for a bull, which was issued in 1478, for 

 the detection and suppression of heresy in Spain. The 

 Christian monster, Torquemada, proved himself a worthy 

 agent of the Inquisition, burning at the stake in eighteen 

 years about 10,220 persons of both sexes. Dispensations 

 from the operation of the Inquisition were sold by the 

 Pope to such as could afford to purchase them ; and in 

 1492 all unbaptised Jews, old or young, were ordered by 

 Torquemada to leave Spain within four months, and to 

 leave behind them all those effects they could not sell in 

 the meantime. These poor wretches swarmed in the 



