98 MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION 



to say, that the hand of Rome was spread out 

 everywhere, and it was neither a very clean nor a 

 very gentle hand. 



Even when good men ascended the papal chair, 

 the customs and traditions of the office overcame 

 whatever there might have been of good influence 

 on their part. Alas, that it should have been so ; 

 that they who represented the life of the blessed 

 Christ to men should have so distorted it, and have 

 made it so hideous and repulsive ! 



Inventions and Discoveries. — One of the results 

 of the agitation which grew out of the Crusades, 

 was the increase of general mental activity. It was 

 not long before the peasant found, that although 

 devoid of rank, he could rival the wealth of the 

 knight, by engaging in commerce. The rich com- 

 modities of the East began then to be sources of 

 trade, and presently the manufacture of goods was 

 encouraged in the West. 



Commercial cities and towns sprang up, and em- 

 ployment was found for classes which had been de- 

 pendent upon baronial protection. Then, as wealth 

 came to the masses, there were the accompaniments 

 of wealth — better houses, general improvement in 

 men's surroundings, and education. 



Wars began to assume a different character, 

 for the invention and use of gunpowder was 

 the fatal blow to knighthood ; and with its fall, 



