l6 BOOKS OF SECRE7S. 



The self-assigned task of all the writers was to record astonishing and 

 unusual events, signs and wonders in the heavens above and in the earth 

 and sea below, portents, the birth and prophesyings of monsters, and such 

 like. The writers did not seek to verify their reports, or, if they ran 

 counter to ordinary experience and observation, to criticize them, but set 

 them down for what they were worth, to be accepted or rejected. Such 

 collections, if we may judge by their number and variety, were popular and 

 must have supplied what was required, strange and startling narratives, true 

 or not did not matter, just as one accepts an impossible romance now for 

 the passive excitement it affords. 



One of the most singular of these collections is in French and it 

 appeared in 1504, entitled " Le livre des Merveilles du Monde," the book 

 of the wonders of the world. It went through some six or seven editions 

 which search for many years has shown me are of rare occurrence. It is 

 divided into two parts; the first is arranged by the countries of the old 

 world, and the wonders of each are enumerated, the second deals with 

 the wonders of beasts, birds, plants, stones, and man, and is arranged by 

 subject. The compiler has withheld his name unfortunately, so he cannot 

 get credit and commendation for his production, but he has been wise 

 and considerate enough to mention his authorities for the marvels he has 

 amassed, so that we can judge of their probability and authenticity and 

 confirm them if so disposed. SoHnus's " Polyhistor " is one of his main 

 sources, but, on the whole, the most attractive stories are derived from the 

 collection which Gervasius, called of Tilbury, made for the recreation and 

 edification of the Emperor Otto IV, a book of which there is no proper 

 edition. One can imagine how the Emperor, when he was off duty (the 

 work is entided " Otia Imperialia," "an Emperor's half hoHday") would 

 recline luxuriously and purr while Gervasius tickled the imperial ears with 

 his amazing narratives. It is no exaggeration to call them so, for even 

 the compiler is forced to say about some of them that they "are hard for 

 a man like myself of uncultivated understanding to believe, for in truth 

 without the honour of the deeply learned doctor Gervasius the marvels 



