When our Kalendar was purged at the Reformation, directions were given that respect should be had to Saints of the blood-royal. This must have been the chief reason why St. Kentigern's name was inserted (though not indeed in red letters) in the Kalendar, prefixed to that liturgy which gave occasion for the Scotch covenant, and fired the train of rebellion that had been laid through both kingdoms. Perhaps another motive was, that as his other name, Mungo, had become not uncommon in Scotland, his memory, owing to that circumstance, might still have been popular. Yet we may reasonably wonder that any motives should have prevailed for its insertion, seeing how entirely fabulous the legend is in all its parts.

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PART II.

THE REFORMATION.-DISSENTERS.-METHODISTS.

I WAS walking alone in Howray, looking upon the Church and upon Skiddaw behind it, which was then in all the glory of a midsummer sunset. Sir Thomas approached, and laid his hand upon my shoulder; I started, not at his appearance, (for I had seen him coming,) but because I felt the touch. What, said he, with a smile, did you suppose that I could not make myself sensible to tact as well as sight, and assume corporeality as easily as form?... But tell me, where were your thoughts when I recalled them?

MONTESINOS,

Where I shall soon be myself, Sir Thomas, with those that are departed. The weight of time and of eternity was on my spirit. I was contemplating that Church and yonder mountain. Seven centuries have gone by since the Church was founded, and there Skiddaw has stood since the foundation of the hills was laid,

My years will be presently like a tale that is told. These will remain; the one unchangeable, the other I trust never to be changed in its destination and uses, whatever renovations the structure may require.

SIR THOMAS MORE.

Is there anything mournful in that thought to a religious mind?

MONTESINOS.

The thought is solemn rather than mournful. It is only our mortal duration that we measure by visible and mensurable objects; and there is nothing mournful in the contemplation for one who knows that the Creator made him to be the image of his own eternity, and who feels that in the desire for immortality he has sure proof of his capacity for it... I had been also thinking of the change in human institutions; a thought naturally connected with any permanent monuments whether of art or nature. The shadows glide over that mountain, and the clouds collect there, and the sun glorifies it, as they did when the Druids performed their rites within yonder circle of stones, when the Romans and Romanized Britons erected altars to Jupiter and Belatucadrus, and when the Danes offered up victims to Thor and Woden. The Church, too, has undergone its changes.

The Rood-loft has disappeared,.. not a bell rings on St. Kentigern's Day, . . and not a trace of the Saint remains in his own parish.

Do

SIR THOMAS MORE.

you hold that part of the change for good or for evil?

MONTESINOS.

Touching the Rood-loft, I know not that the Calvaries in Catholic countries lead to any superstition at this time. Formerly there were foul abuses connected with such representations, and it was the detection of some such that induced Elizabeth reluctantly to give up her intention of having the Crucifix retained in our Churches, as it is in the Lutheran. Upon that point, I confess, I should have held rather with the Queen than with Archbishop Parker. But for the Saint, it was quite necessary that the Romish Demi-gods should be sent packing after their Heathen predecessors, the legends of the one being every whit as fabulous as those of the other. Yet I wish it had been deemed advisable to have winnowed the Kalendar, and left in it every name which is entitled to respect and gratitude.

SIR THOMAS MORE.

And why might not this have been done?

MONTESINOS.

Because the whole system of Romish hagiology is inseparably connected with fraud and falsehood. I abhor it the more for what we have lost in consequence of its audacious and impious profligacy. Festivals, when duly observed, attach men to the civil and religious institutions of their country; it is an evil, therefore, when they fall into disuse. For the same reason the loss of local observances is to be regretted.. who is there that does not remember their effect upon himself in early life? St. Kentigern could not have been allowed to retain his honours, for there is no compromising with a system of impudent and villainous imposture. But I wish the name of some holy man, whether canonized or not, whose history would bear inquiry, and whose example might serve for edification, had been substituted in his stead,

SIR THOMAS MORE.

Why not your more fortunate St. Herbert, who has left his name to the island which he inhabited?

MONTESINOS.

He, too, had his yearly festival here in Romish times on the 13th of April the Vicar of Crosthwaite used to perform mass in his chapel on the island, to the joint honour of the Hermit