CHAP. I.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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disquietude preparing Christendom for some greatchange, it knew not what, nor perhaps cared; buteverywhere was it held certain that some importantevent, some radical cure was coming. Thereforethese two first chapters shall be confined to suchpreliminary matters—not to alter, but to refreshreaders’ minds; nor will notes be necessary, asrepeating what is general; but very different for-wards, beginning with the third chapter, where myauthorities for each iota shall be distinctly cited, tobe occasionally consulted or not.

And first, concerning that noble and high-mindednation who usually take the lead wherever there isanything of great or good to be undertaken. Asfar back as Charlemagne, he wept at observing someNorman vessels off the French coasts; for he fore-saw what ruin they would one day bring on France.Danes or Normans are either precisely a singlepeople; or, at most, varieties of one race in differentplaces or periods; since some of that same fleetputting into an English harbour, were there calledDanes.

At one time we are told of a Danish pirate who,conducting his armada up the Seine, and plunder-ing both its banks, took Paris for awhile andsacked it; and of another who, after being repulsedfrom England by Alfred, assailed France, and

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