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filled with chimeras, which, being believed by chimself and his stupid votaries , procured him thegeneral character of sanctity among the people.He fancied , that the devil, among the frequentvisits, which he paid him, was one day moreearnest than usual in his temptations; till Dunstan ,provoked at his importunity, seized him by the nosewith a pair of red hot pincers , as he put hishead into the cell; and he held him there, till thatmalignant spirit made the whole neighbourhoodresound with his bellowings. This notable exploitwas seriousty credited and extolled by the public; itis transmitted to posterity by one who , con sideringthe age in which he lived , may pass for a writerof some elegance ‘'‘i ’; and it insured to Dunstan ,a reputation, which no real piety, much lessvirtue, could , even in the most enlightened period,have ever procured him with the people.

Supported by the character obtained in hisretreat, Dunstan appeared again in the world;and gained such an ascendant over Edred , whohad succeeded to the crown , as made him , notonly the director of that prince’s conscience, but hiscounsellor in the most momentous affairs ofgovernment. He was placed at the head of thetreasury , and being thus possessed both ofpower at court, and of credit with the populace,he was enabled to attempt with success themost arduous enterprizes. Finding, that his

121 Osberne, p. 97.

Ibid. p. IO2. Wallingford , p. 54 r -

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HAP

II.

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