CONTENTS OF CHAPTER THE SECOND. Society of the Kalendaries; its Antiquity proved by Worcester and CHAPTER THE SECOND. IT has generally been asserted and almost as generally believed, that the natural progress of the human mind as well as of nations is from barbarism to refinement and from refinement to imbecility. Of individuals this assertion may be admitted as generally correct; but that the same conclusion should be adopted of the progress of intellect, appears as inconsistent with the decisions of liberal philosophy as it is certainly repugnant to the feelings of that philanthrophy which expects the final triumph of virtue and of happiness, from the constant advancement and general diffusion of the discoveries of science. Opposed however to these speculations of philosophy are the decisions of experience. It is certain that the human mind did arrive at a high degree of perfection in the empires of Greece and Rome, and in comparatively a short period after, sunk into that dreadful ignorance which has obtained for the period of its duration the humiliating but appropriate title of the " ages of darkness."* The civil history of Bristol has been continued through this period, and from the dawn of philosophy and science to the present age, in which it may be presumed they are approaching their meridian splendour. But before we enter more immediately into the ecclesiastical history of Bristol, we shall detail some few of the effects which were produced in Bristol by the diffusion of that puerile superstition which was the characteristic of the dark ages. Such as the erection of the secluded cloister or gloomy monastery, together with similar structures which derived their origin from the piety of the times. Among the most ancient establishments of this If it be contended that this retrogation can be effected only by the operation of causes as violent as extraordinary, the state of literature in Spain during the last age is a proof that the same effect may be produced by different causes; however retarded in the rapidity of its progress by the art of printing. nature, not only of Bristol but perhaps of the kingdom, was the society of the Kalendaries, so denominated according to some from the time of their general meetings, which are said to have been usually held on the Calends or first days of the month; but according to others the name is derived from their keeping kalenders or registers of the public acts, and other interesting transactions of the city. The objects for which this society was first instituted it is impossible at this distance of time to ascertain; but those to which its attention was directed in the most flourishing periods of the society appear to have been the recording of such occurrences in the history of Bristol, and probably also in the history of the kingdom, as were deemed worthy of notice; the cultivation of the literature of the times, the conversion of jews and infidels to christianity, and the education of youth. In this period of its history and in the prosecution of these objects, the society of the Kalendaries appear to have had some coincidence with the objects which the society of Jesus professed to prosecute in the early periods of its history; before it was polluted by mingling in all the low intrigues of a narrow, crooked and guilty policy. To the antiquity of the society of the Kalendaries the most unexceptionable testimony is a confirmation of its rights and privileges granted them by |