Indeed, there was another influence of a totally different character that is too patent to be overlooked--the influence, namely, of the economic condition of western Europe during this period.

As I have elsewhere pointed out,( 2) Italy, the centre of western civilization, was at this time impoverished, and hence could not provide the monetary stimulus so essential to artistic and scientific no less than to material progress.
There were no patrons of science and literature such as the Ptolemies of that elder Alexandrian day.

There were no great libraries; no colleges to supply opportunities and afford stimuli to the rising generation.
Worst of all, it became increasingly difficult to secure books.
This phase of the subject is often overlooked.

Yet a moment's consideration will show its importance.

How should we fare to-day if no new scientific books were being produced, and if the records of former generations were destroyed?
That is what actually happened in Europe during the Middle Ages.