SUMMARY. CHAPTER I. Effects of the thirst after justice-Devotion included imitation as well as prayer-The view taken by modern historians-General character of the middle ages in relation to justice-Their peculiar merit-The satirists and censors-Tendency of the ancient works of fiction-The number of the just not revealed by history p. 1 CHAPTER II. Historic difficulties opposed to its discovery-What kind of evidence may be had-Incidental testimonies-Tone of literature-Tendency of the confraternities, and of chivalrous orders-Legislation and government of the ancient Catholic state-Direct testimonies-Justice of men in different ranks; general views taken by ancient writers p. 33 CHAPTER III. Domestic manners-Filial and parental duties-Fidelity of dependents -Sanctity of marriage-Justice in relation to property-HospitalityDomestics-Feudal life and its rural exercises-Whole families composed of saints-The women of the ages of faith-Character of female piety in Catholic countries-The conventual life of nuns, and its influence on domestic manners-The Recluses-Origin of the cloistral life of women-The convent of the middle ages-Learning of the nunsMoral and social condition of women in ages of faith contrasted with pagan times-Women of the Catholic type a new creation-Judgment of the holy fathers-Influence of women in respect to justice-The Catholic lady, her justice and charity-The erudition and political importance of some in the middle ages-Their heroic virtue-The maternal character-Modesty and grace of daughters; their employments and recrea |