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Rise and Establishment of Protestantism at Geneva - James Aitken Wylie

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The trick recoiled upon its authors. It was<br />

Popery th<strong>at</strong> had to flee. A sudden gust <strong>of</strong><br />

indign<strong>at</strong>ion shook the crowd. The multitudes<br />

rushed toward the c<strong>at</strong>hedral. Who shall now save<br />

the saints? The priests have unchained winds which<br />

it is beyond their power to control. Altar, image,<br />

<strong>and</strong> monumental st<strong>at</strong>ue, all went down before the<br />

tempest. The relics were sc<strong>at</strong>tered about. Even the<br />

rich oriels, which flecked, with their glorious tints,<br />

stone floor <strong>and</strong> massive column, were not spared.<br />

The edifice, all aglow but a few moments before<br />

with the curious <strong>and</strong> beautiful picturings <strong>of</strong> chisel<br />

<strong>and</strong> pencil, was now a wreck. The popular<br />

vengeance was not yet appeased. The furious<br />

multitude was next seen directing its course<br />

towards the residences <strong>of</strong> the canons. The terrified<br />

clerics had already fled to the woods, but if their<br />

persons escaped, their houses were sacked.<br />

By-<strong>and</strong>-by the storm spent itself, <strong>and</strong> calmer<br />

feelings returned to the breasts <strong>of</strong> the citizens. They<br />

ascended the hill on which stood the castle <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Countess <strong>of</strong> Arberg, who governed Vallangin,<br />

under the suzerainty <strong>of</strong> Bern. The authorities<br />

55

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