devotion. Among the devotees who came there to offer up their prayers were some young girls, who, either affected by the religious controversies of the time, or previously subject to convulsions, were seized with them whilst engaged in prayer at this tomb. These convulsions were reported as miracles, and multitudes flocked to witness them. The first convulsions which manifested themselves gave birth, by sympathy, to others.

In the beginning of May 1727, the number of actresses who figured upon this sepulchral stage was not more than eight or ten; but the contagion made such rapid progress, that two years had scarcely elapsed, when more than eight hundred persons were seized with convulsions at this tomb.

The girls betrayed violent agitation, made extraordinary motions, leaped, turned round, &c.; they were called les Sauteuses. Others, who howled, uttered strange cries, or imitated the barking of dogs, or the mewing of cats, received the designations of Aboyeuses and Miaulantes.

These extravagances were finally put an end to by the interference of the government. The cemetery of St. Médard was closed, and guards were stationed, to keep back the multitude. The worship of the deacon Paris was interdicted, and several convulsionists sent to prison. History of Paris, 3 vols. 8vo.

JOINTS OF THE HANDS DEDICATED

TO SAINTS.

Formerly every joint of each finger on each hand was appropriated to some saint. The proof of this is supplied by two very old prints, from engravings on wood, at the British Museum. They are among a collection of ancient wood-cuts, pasted in a folio volume. It would occupy too much room to give copies of these representations in fac-simile: the curiously-inclined, who have access to the Museum print-room, may consult the originals; general readers may be satisfied with the following description :

Right Hand.

The top joint of the thumb is dedicated to God; the second joint to the Virgin; the top joint of the fore-finger to Barnabas, the second joint to John, the third to Paul; the top joint of the second finger to Simon Cleophas, the second joint to Tathideo, the third to Joseph; the top joint of the third finger to Zaccheus, the second to Stephen, the third to Luke; the top joint of the little finger to Leatus, the second to Mark, the third joint to Nicodemus.

Left Hand.

The top joint of the thumb is dedicated to Christ, the second joint to the Virgin; the top joint of the forefinger to St. James, the second to St. John the evangelist, the third to St. Peter; the first joint of the second finger to St. Simon, the second joint to St. Matthew, the third to St. James the great; the top joint of the

third finger to St. Jude, the second joint to St. Bartholomew, the third to St. Andrew; the top joint of the little finger to St. Matthias, the second joint to St. Thomas, the third joint to St. Philip.

INHUMANITY OF THE POPE AND THE
PRIESTHOOD.

Henry IV. of Germany was so terrified at the anathema of the Pope, that he remained three days and three nights, in the depth of winter, in the court-yard of the Pope's-palace, at Carrosa, barefooted, and imploring absolution. He was afterwards dethroned by his son Henry, detained some time in prison, and reduced to the most abject poverty. In his prosperity, he had given the city of Kensenach as a present to his supposed friend, Erchard, Bishop of Syire; and in his subsequent distress, he applied to this very prelate, the sycophant of his prosperity, who then lived at Kensenach in luxurious ease. The unfortunate Emperor came to the castle in a wretched state, as when he waited at the palace of Carrosa, stripped to his shirt, and barefooted. He looked up with a timid eye to the Bishop, in hopes to receive consolation and support in the countenance of his former dependent. He then glanced his eye on the stately dome which he himself had built, and seemed to say, "Behold my claim to commiseration!" while the tear ran down his griefworn cheek to the wounds which his rebellious son

had inflicted, "I have lost empire and hope!" said he, "for the love of God throw me a morsel of bread upon the ground I have given you." The inhuman priest pretended that he could dispose of nothing without the consent of the Chapter, and dismissed him with an oath:-" By the mother of Jesus, I will not assist you."

MIRACULOUS IMAGE OF THE VIRGIN
MARY IN POLAND.

Peter the Great being once at a town in Poland, heard much of a wonderful image of the Holy Virgin, which had been seen to shed tears during the celebration of mass, and he resolved to examine this extraordinary miracle. The image being highly elevated, he asked for a ladder, ascended it, and approached close to the image: he discovered two little holes near the eyes; he put his hand to the head-dress, and lifted up, with the hair, a portion of the skull. The monks, who stood at the foot of the ladder, quietly regarded the Czar, for they did not imagine he could so soon discover the fraud; when he even put his finger upon it, they shuddered to behold their miraculous Virgin thus dishonoured. The Emperor discovered within the head a bason, whose bottom was even with the eyes; it contained a very few small fish, the motions of which agitated the water, and caused it to issue slowly, and by small quantities, from the two apertures at the corner of each eye. He descended the ladder, without seeking to undeceive the devotees, or

any one; but addressing himself to the monks, he said coldly to them, "That is a very curious image, indeed!"

MUMMERIES AT MARSEILLES ON ST. VICTOR'S DAY.

On St. Victor's day, which is the twenty-first of July, there were formerly held at Marseilles a festival and procession in honour of him, called "La Triomphale." The relics of the saint were carried round the town by the prior of the monastery, attended by the whole community. At the head of the procession marched a cavalier in complete armour, highly ornamented, carrying a lance in one hand, and in the other the standard of the abbey, on which were the arms richly embroidered; he wore a rich scarf, and his horse had a housing of white damask, ornamented with blue crosses. This cavalier was intended to represent St. Victor. He was preceded by twelve cavaliers carrying lighted tapers, and accompanied by a band of music with drums and trumpets. Six pages followed him. As soon as the people heard the music, and saw the standard, they flocked in crowds to join the procession. As it passed along the quay of the port, all the vessels hoisted their colours, and saluted it with a discharge of cannon and musquetry; and the consuls, with the rest of the magistrates, met it at an appointed place, to pay their homage to the saint, and attend him back to the abbey.