In Germany to the Leipsic Disputation - James Aitken Wylie

a little of the wealth that was about to flow to
Rome, into channels that might profit himself. The
bargain was struck, and the archbishop sought out a
suitable person to perambulate Germany, and
preach up the indulgences. He found a man every
way suited to his purpose. This was a Dominican
monk, named John Diezel, or Tetzel, the son of a
goldsmith of Leipsic. He had filled the odious
office of inquisitor, and having added thereto a
huckstering trade in indulgences, he had acquired a
large experience in that sort of business. He had
been convicted of a shameful crime at Innspruck,
and sentenced to be put into a sack and drowned;
but powerful intercession being made for him, he
was reprieved, and lived to help unconsciously in
the overthrow of the system that had nourished
him.
Tetzel lacked no quality necessary for success
in his scandalous occupation. He had the voice of a
town-crier, and the eloquence of a mountebank.
This latter quality enabled him to paint in the most
glowing colors the marvelous virtues of the wares
which he offered for sale. The resources of his
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