Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/380

236 236 THE INQUISITION. PART without much exaggeration, that to the Gothic code '■ may be traced all the maxims of the modern Inqui- sition, the monks of the fifteenth century only copying, in reference to the Israelites, the bishops of the seventh.^ Under the Aftcr thc Saraccnic invasion, which the Jews, perhaps with reason, are accused of having facili- tated, they resided in the conquered cities, and were permitted to mingle with the Arabs on nearly equal terms. Their common Oriental origin produced a similarity of tastes, to a certain extent, not unfavor- able to such a coalition. At any rate, the early Spanish Arabs were characterized by a spirit of toleration towards both Jews and Christians, " the people of the book," as they were called, which has scarcely been found among later Moslems.® The Jews, accordingly, under these favorable aus- pices, not only accumulated wealth with their usual diligence, but gradually rose to the highest civil dignities, and made great advances in various de- partments of letters. The schools of Cordova, Toledo, Barcelona, and Granada were crowded with numerous disciples, who emulated the Arabi- ans in keeping alive the flame of learning, during the deep darkness of the middle ages. "^ Whatever 5 Montesquieu, Esprit des Loix, 6 The Koran grants protection liv. 28, chap. 1. — See the canon to the Jews on payment of tribute, of the 17th council of Toledo, See the Koran, translated by Sale, condemning the Israelitish race to (London, 1825,) chap. 0. bondage, in Florez, Espaila Sa- ' The first academy founded by grada, (Madrid, 1717-75,) tom. the learned Jews in Spain was vi. p. 229. — Fuero Juzgo (cd. do that of Cordova, A. D. 9-18. Cas- la Acad. (Madrid, 1815,) lib. 12, tro, Bibliotcca Espariola, tom. i. lit. 2 and 3,) is composed of the p. 2. — IJasnagc, History of the most inhuman ordinances against Jews, translated by Taylor, (Lou- this unfortunate people. don, 1708,) book 7, chap. 5.