29. A vial (the 'Sainte Ampoulle') of holy or rather
celestial oil was brought down by a white dove, for the
baptism of Clovis; and it is still used and renewed in the
coronation of the kings of France. Hincmar (he aspired to
the primacy of Gaul) is the first author of this fable (in
tom. iii. p. 377) whose slight foundations the Abbe de
Vertot (Memoires de l'Academie des Inscriptions, tom. ii. p.
619-633) has undermined with profound respect and consummate
dexterity.