14 The Dance of Death.

was concluded. This is the article itself, "Sexcallus[seneschallus] solvat D. Joanni Caleti matriculario S.Joannis quatuor simasias vini per dictum matriculariumexhibitas illis qui choream Machabeorum fecerunt 10 Julii,1453, nuper lapsa hora misse in ecclesia S. Joannis Evan-geliste propter capitulum provinciale fratrum Minorum." 36This document then will set the matter completely at rest.At what time the personified exhibition of this pageantcommenced, or when it was discontinued, cannot now becorrectly ascertained. If, from a moral spectacle, it becamea licentious ceremony, as is by no means improbable, inimitation of electing a boy-bishop, of the feast of fools,or other similar absurdities, its termination may be lookedfor in the authority of some ecclesiastical council at presentnot easily to be traced.

36 Mercure de France, Sept. 1742. Carpentier, Suppl. adDucang. v.Machabseorum chorea.

Ages, an<scripts, bof subjec

Mostdescriptbwhich wGermanyis not nothe oldesthe editicbut they ]peregrinaLatin verend of hcelebratec