ANGELS AND MINISTERS OF GRACE 261
over
his heart for safekeeping. A bullet which struck him here and would
otherwise have killed him, was diverted by coming in contact with the
thaler. Hungarian St. George thalers were regarded as amulets for
sailors as well as soldiers. These coins derived their name from
bearing the design of St. George and the Dragon.
Among
the wonder-working saints none enjoyed greater repute in medieval times
than Sainte Foy, the virgin martyr whose remains were taken from Agen
to the abbey-chureh at Conques, a village on the hills of Aveyron.
Pilgrims came from far and near to the shrine of Sainte Foy, for she
worked marvellous cures upon those who appealed to her for help, even
giving sight to the blind. Her grace appears to have been bestowed upon
animals as well as upon human beings, a fantastic legend relating that
she had raised donkeys from the grave ! Naturally the pilgrims must
bring rich gifts, as otherwise the saint might turn a deaf ear to their
prayers.
Many
of these treasures may still be seen in this out-of-the-way church,
wherein no one would suspect the existence of the rich specimens of
early goldsmiths' work that are carefully preserved in the treasury.
The most interesting of these treasures is a statuette supposed to
represent the saint. This is a seated figure, about 33 inches high and
encrusted with an immense number of precious stones, uncut emeralds,
sapphires and amethysts, as well as with many cameos and pearls ; all
these having been offered at various times to the saint.
The
figure—probably the representation of some ecclesiastic—is seated on
an elaborate chair, originally surmounted by two golden doves. The
saint is said to have appeared in a vision to the Bishop of Beaulieu
and expressly directed this adornment; these doves have disappeared and
have been replaced by crystal balls. The execution of the stat-
