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A VIEW OF SOCIETY

of acceptance, without the contacts and the vanitiesof an irreverent courtesy. ‘ I would, not, ' said aTroubadour , ‘be in Paradise, but on the condition‘ of making love to her whom I adore (y)°'

The vices and example of the clergy added to thegeneral contagion. They were to exceed not only insuperb living, and in the luxuries of the table, but inthe pastimes and the gratifications of illicit love(io).It was in vain that laws were made to prohibit themfrom entertaining, in their houses, ‘ any virgins‘ dedicated to God . ’ The arts of the Popes to tearthem from their women, would fill volumes. Noecclesiastic Was without his concubines ( 11). Thefins of the faint were gross and comfortable. Incontempt of all decency, they were even to educatepublicly the fruits of their amours. Rampant anddissolute, they preached religion , and were a dis-grace to it; virtue and they were in haste to con-temn it; another world and they were immersedin the enjoyments of the present.

An universal corruption diffused itself. To be deepin debauch, and successful with the ladies , werecertain marks of worth. They were parts of theeminence to which the deserving were to aspire. Tobe amorous and deceitful, were not less meritoriousthan to be brave and witty. There was exhibiteda strange picture of fierceness and effeminacy, op-pression and politeness , impiety and devotion.

The age, in which so many armies, inflamedwith zeal, were to fight for the recovery and pos-session of the holy sepulchre , was remarkable forthe most criminal depravity. The pilgrims and cru-saders exported the vices of Europe , and imported