Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/145

 in all manner of dissipation; and the lower priesthood followed their example as far as they were able. Many persons totally unfit for a clerical life succeeded in securing benefices with large incomes, and then lived like great lords, their duties being performed by some hired substitute. As church service became more and more perfunctory, clerical life became easier; consequently, more young men crowded into it than into any other profession, until there were far more priests than places. To provide all with something to do, or rather with some income, the larger churches were permitted to have several priests, each to be paid mostly by what he could make in performing the various church duties, such as christenings, burials, confirmations, and the like. This distribution of labor led to much jealousy and hatred. The greed of the priests drove them to conduct that was scandalous; fierce brawls were an every-day occurrence, and even bloody fights were indulged in.

In granting so many privileges and concessions to the Church, Charles IV acted from the purest motives; but the results were evil, and that continually. He sowed the land full of dragon’s teeth, which, springing up in the following reigns, so tore and lacerated the country that it barely escaped with its life.

One of the most grievous faults of Charles IV was his excessive fondness for his family. When his son Václav was born, the public manifestations of joy ordered to be made by the king were ludicrous, if not blasphemous. Then, in his anxiety to secure the succession to this infant, he had him crowned King of Bohemia when a mere child. Nor was this all; in direct violation of the provisions of