[Footnote36:TheHelvetiannation，whichissuedfromacountrycalledSwitzerland，contained，ofeveryageandsex，368，000
persons，CaesardeBell。Gal。i。29。Atpresent，thenumberofpeopleinthePaysdeVaudasmalldistrictonthebanksoftheLemanLake，muchmoredistinguishedforpolitenessthanforindustryamountsto112，591。SeeanexcellenttractofM。
Muret，intheMemoiresdelaSocietedeBorn。]
[Footnote37:PaulDiaconus，c。1，2，3。Machiavel，Davila，andtherestofPaul\'sfollowers，representtheseemigrationstoomuchasregularandconcertedmeasures。]
[Footnote38:SirWilliamTempleandMontesquieuhaveindulged，onthissubject，theusuallivelinessoftheirfancy。]
[Footnote39:Machiavel，Hist。diFirenze，l。i。Mariana，Hist。
Hispan。l。v。c。1]
[Footnote40:Robertson\'sCharlesV。Hume\'sPoliticalEssays。
Note:ItisawiseobservationofMalthus，thatthesenations\"werenotpopulousinproportiontothelandtheyoccupied，buttothefoodtheyproduced。Theywereprolificfromtheirpuremoralsandconstitutions，buttheirinstitutionswerenotcalculatedtoproducefoodforthosewhomtheybroughtintobeing。—M—1845。]
AwarlikenationliketheGermans，withouteithercities，letters，arts，ormoney，foundsomecompensationforthissavagestateintheenjoymentofliberty。Theirpovertysecuredtheirfreedom，sinceourdesiresandourpossessionsarethestrongestfettersofdespotism。\"AmongtheSuionessaysTacitusrichesareheldinhonor。Theyarethereforesubjecttoanabsolutemonarch，who，insteadofintrustinghispeoplewiththefreeuseofarms，asispractisedintherestofGermany，commitsthemtothesafecustody，notofacitizen，orevenofafreedman，butofaslave。TheneighborsoftheSuiones，theSitones，aresunkevenbelowservitude；theyobeyawoman。\"^41Inthementionoftheseexceptions，thegreathistoriansufficientlyacknowledgesthegeneraltheoryofgovernment。WeareonlyatalosstoconceivebywhatmeansrichesanddespotismcouldpenetrateintoaremotecorneroftheNorth，andextinguishthegenerousflamethatblazedwithsuchfiercenessonthefrontieroftheRomanprovinces，orhowtheancestorsofthoseDanesandNorwegians，sodistinguishedinlatteragesbytheirunconqueredspirit，couldthustamelyresignthegreatcharacterofGermanliberty。^42
Sometribes，however，onthecoastoftheBaltic，acknowledgedtheauthorityofkings，thoughwithoutrelinquishingtherightsofmen，^43butinthefargreaterpartofGermany，theformofgovernmentwasademocracy，tempered，indeed，andcontrolled，notsomuchbygeneralandpositivelaws，asbytheoccasionalascendantofbirthorvalor，ofeloquenceorsuperstition。^44
[Footnote41:Tacit。German。44，45。FreinshemiuswhodedicatedhissupplementtoLivytoChristinaofSwedenthinkspropertobeveryangrywiththeRomanwhoexpressedsoverylittlereverenceforNorthernqueens。
Note:TheSuionesandtheSitonesaretheancientinhabitantsofScandinavia，theirnamemaybetracedinthatofSweden；theydidnotbelongtotheraceoftheSuevi，butthatofthenon—SueviorCimbri，whomtheSuevi，inveryremotetimes，drovebackparttothewest，parttothenorth；theywereafterwardsmingledwithSueviantribes，amongotherstheGoths，whohavetracesoftheirnameandpowerintheisleofGothland。
—G]
[Footnote42:Maywenotsuspectthatsuperstitionwastheparentofdespotism?ThedescendantsofOdin，whoseracewasnotextincttilltheyear1060aresaidtohavereignedinSwedenaboveathousandyears。ThetempleofUpsalwastheancientseatofreligionandempire。Intheyear1153Ifindasingularlaw，prohibitingtheuseandprofessionofarmstoanyexcepttheking\'sguards。Isitnotprobablethatitwascoloredbythepretenceofrevivinganoldinstitution?SeeDalin\'sHistoryofSwedenintheBibliothequeRaisonneotom。xl。andxlv。]
[Footnote43:Tacit。Germ。c。43。]
[Footnote44:Id。c。11，12，13，&c。]
Civilgovernments，intheirfirstinstitution，arevoluntaryassociationsformutualdefence。Toobtainthedesiredend，itisabsolutelynecessarythateachindividualshouldconceivehimselfobligedtosubmithisprivateopinionsandactionstothejudgmentofthegreaternumberofhisassociates。TheGermantribeswerecontentedwiththisrudebutliberaloutlineofpoliticalsociety。Assoonasayouth，bornoffreeparents，hadattainedtheageofmanhood，hewasintroducedintothegeneralcouncilofhiscountrymen，solemnlyinvestedwithashieldandspear，andadoptedasanequalandworthymemberofthemilitarycommonwealth。Theassemblyofthewarriorsofthetribewasconvenedatstatedseasons，oronsuddenemergencies。Thetrialofpublicoffences，theelectionofmagistrates，andthegreatbusinessofpeaceandwar，weredeterminedbyitsindependentvoice。Sometimesindeed，theseimportantquestionswerepreviouslyconsideredandpreparedinamoreselectcounciloftheprincipalchieftains。^45Themagistratesmightdeliberateandpersuade，thepeopleonlycouldresolveandexecute；andtheresolutionsoftheGermanswereforthemostparthastyandviolent。Barbariansaccustomedtoplacetheirfreedomingratifyingthepresentpassion，andtheircourageinoverlookingallfutureconsequences，turnedawaywithindignantcontemptfromtheremonstrancesofjusticeandpolicy，anditwasthepracticetosignifybyahollowmurmurtheirdislikeofsuchtimidcounsels。Butwheneveramorepopularoratorproposedtovindicatethemeanestcitizenfromeitherforeignordomesticinjury，wheneverhecalleduponhisfellow—countrymentoassertthenationalhonor，ortopursuesomeenterprisefullofdangerandglory，aloudclashingofshieldsandspearsexpressedtheeagerapplauseoftheassembly。FortheGermansalwaysmetinarms，anditwasconstantlytobedreaded，lestanirregularmultitude，inflamedwithfactionandstrongliquors，shouldusethosearmstoenforce，aswellastodeclare，theirfuriousresolves。WemayrecollecthowoftenthedietsofPolandhavebeenpollutedwithblood，andthemorenumerouspartyhasbeencompelledtoyieldtothemoreviolentandseditious。^46
[Footnote45:GrotiuschangesanexpressionofTacitus，pertractanturintoProetractantur。Thecorrectionisequallyjustandingenious。]
[Footnote46:Eveninourancientparliament，thebaronsoftencarriedaquestion，notsomuchbythenumberofvotes，asbythatoftheirarmedfollowers。]
Ageneralofthetribewaselectedonoccasionsofdanger；
and，ifthedangerwaspressingandextensive，severaltribesconcurredinthechoiceofthesamegeneral。Thebravestwarriorwasnamedtoleadhiscountrymenintothefield，byhisexampleratherthanbyhiscommands。Butthispower，howeverlimited，wasstillinvidious。Itexpiredwiththewar，andintimeofpeacetheGermantribesacknowledgednotanysupremechief。^47
Princeswere，however，appointed，inthegeneralassembly，toadministerjustice，orrathertocomposedifferences，^48intheirrespectivedistricts。Inthechoiceofthesemagistrates，asmuchregardwasshowntobirthastomerit。^49Toeachwasassigned，bythepublic，aguard，andacouncilofahundredpersons，andthefirstoftheprincesappearstohaveenjoyedapreeminenceofrankandhonorwhichsometimestemptedtheRomanstocomplimenthimwiththeregaltitle。^50
[Footnote47:CaesardeBell。Gal。vi。23。]
[Footnote48:Minuuntcontroversias，isaveryhappyexpressionofCaesar\'s。]
[Footnote49:Regesexnobilitate，ducesexvirtutesumunt。
TacitGerm。7]
[Footnote50:Cluver。Germ。Ant。l。i。c。38。]
Thecomparativeviewofthepowersofthemagistrates，intworemarkableinstances，isalonesufficienttorepresentthewholesystemofGermanmanners。Thedisposalofthelandedpropertywithintheirdistrictwasabsolutelyvestedintheirhands，andtheydistributediteveryyearaccordingtoanewdivision。^51Atthesametimetheywerenotauthorizedtopunishwithdeath，toimprison，oreventostrikeaprivatecitizen。^52
Apeoplethusjealousoftheirpersons，andcarelessoftheirpossessions，musthavebeentotallydestituteofindustryandthearts，butanimatedwithahighsenseofhonorandindependence。
[Footnote51:Caesar，vi。22。TacitGerm。26。]
[Footnote52:Tacit。Germ。7。]
ChapterIX:StateOfGermanyUntilTheBarbarians。
PartIII。
TheGermansrespectedonlythosedutieswhichtheyimposedonthemselves。Themostobscuresoldierresistedwithdisdaintheauthorityofthemagistrates。\"Thenoblestyouthsblushednottobenumberedamongthefaithfulcompanionsofsomerenownedchief，towhomtheydevotedtheirarmsandservice。Anobleemulationprevailedamongthecompanions，toobtainthefirstplaceintheesteemoftheirchief；amongstthechiefs，toacquirethegreatestnumberofvaliantcompanions。Tobeeversurroundedbyabandofselectyouthswastheprideandstrengthofthechiefs，theirornamentinpeace，theirdefenceinwar。
Thegloryofsuchdistinguishedheroesdiffuseditselfbeyondthenarrowlimitsoftheirowntribe。Presentsandembassiessolicitedtheirfriendship，andthefameoftheirarmsofteninsuredvictorytothepartywhichtheyespoused。Inthehourofdangeritwasshamefulforthechieftobesurpassedinvalorbyhiscompanions；shamefulforthecompanionsnottoequalthevaloroftheirchief。Tosurvivehisfallinbattle，wasindelibleinfamy。Toprotecthisperson，andtoadornhisglorywiththetrophiesoftheirownexploits，werethemostsacredoftheirduties。Thechiefscombatedforvictory，thecompanionsforthechief。Thenoblestwarriors，whenevertheirnativecountrywassunkintothelazinessofpeace，maintainedtheirnumerousbandsinsomedistantsceneofaction，toexercisetheirrestlessspirit，andtoacquirerenownbyvoluntarydangers。
Giftsworthyofsoldiers—thewarlikesteed，thebloodyandevenvictoriouslance—weretherewardswhichthecompanionsclaimedfromtheliberalityoftheirchief。Therudeplentyofhishospitableboardwastheonlypaythathecouldbestow，ortheywouldaccept。War，rapine，andthefree—willofferingsofhisfriends，suppliedthematerialsofthismunificence。^53Thisinstitution，howeveritmightaccidentallyweakentheseveralrepublics，invigoratedthegeneralcharacteroftheGermans，andevenripenedamongstthemallthevirtuesofwhichbarbariansaresusceptible；thefaithandvalor，thehospitalityandthecourtesy，soconspicuouslongafterwardsintheagesofchivalry。
Thehonorablegifts，bestowedbythechiefonhisbravecompanions，havebeensupposed，byaningeniouswriter，tocontainthefirstrudimentsofthefiefs，distributedaftertheconquestoftheRomanprovinces，bythebarbarianlordsamongtheirvassals，withasimilardutyofhomageandmilitaryservice。^54Theseconditionsare，however，veryrepugnanttothemaximsoftheancientGermans，whodelightedinmutualpresents；
butwithouteitherimposing，oraccepting，theweightofobligations。^55
[Footnote53:Tacit。Germ。13，14。]
[Footnote54:EspritdesLoix，l。xxx。c。3。ThebrilliantimaginationofMontesquieuiscorrected，however，bythedry，coldreasonoftheAbbedeMably。Observationssurl\'HistoiredeFrance，tom。i。p。356。]
[Footnote55:Gaudentmuneribus，sednecdataimputant，necacceptisobligautur。Tacit。Germ。c。21。]
\"Inthedaysofchivalry，ormoreproperlyofromance，allthemenwerebrave，andallthewomenwerechaste；\"andnotwithstandingthelatterofthesevirtuesisacquiredandpreservedwithmuchmoredifficultythantheformer，itisascribed，almostwithoutexception，tothewivesoftheancientGermans。Polygamywasnotinuse，exceptamongtheprinces，andamongthemonlyforthesakeofmultiplyingtheiralliances。
Divorceswereprohibitedbymannersratherthanbylaws。
Adulterieswerepunishedasrareandinexpiablecrimes；norwasseductionjustifiedbyexampleandfashion。^56WemayeasilydiscoverthatTacitusindulgesanhonestpleasureinthecontrastofbarbarianvirtuewiththedissoluteconductoftheRomanladies；yettherearesomestrikingcircumstancesthatgiveanairoftruth，oratleastprobability，totheconjugalfaithandchastityoftheGermans。
[Footnote56:Theadulteresswaswhippedthroughthevillage。
Neitherwealthnorbeautycouldinspirecompassion，orprocureherasecondhusband。18，19。]
Althoughtheprogressofcivilizationhasundoubtedlycontributedtoassuagethefiercerpassionsofhumannature，itseemstohavebeenlessfavorabletothevirtueofchastity，whosemostdangerousenemyisthesoftnessofthemind。Therefinementsoflifecorruptwhiletheypolishtheintercourseofthesexes。Thegrossappetiteoflovebecomesmostdangerouswhenitiselevated，orrather，indeed，disguisedbysentimentalpassion。Theeleganceofdress，ofmotion，andofmanners，givesalustretobeauty，andinflamesthesensesthroughtheimagination。Luxuriousentertainments，midnightdances，andlicentiousspectacles，presentatoncetemptationandopportunitytofemalefrailty。^57Fromsuchdangerstheunpolishedwivesofthebarbariansweresecuredbypoverty，solitude，andthepainfulcaresofadomesticlife。TheGermanhuts，open，oneveryside，totheeyeofindiscretionorjealousy，wereabettersafeguardofconjugalfidelity，thanthewalls，thebolts，andtheeunuchsofaPersianharam。Tothisreasonanothermaybeadded，ofamorehonorablenature。TheGermanstreatedtheirwomenwithesteemandconfidence，consultedthemoneveryoccasionofimportance，andfondlybelieved，thatintheirbreastsresidedasanctityandwisdommorethanhuman。Someoftheinterpretersoffate，suchasVelleda，intheBatavianwar，governed，inthenameofthedeity，thefiercestnationsofGermany。^58Therestofthesex，withoutbeingadoredasgoddesses，wererespectedasthefreeandequalcompanionsofsoldiers；associatedevenbythemarriageceremonytoalifeoftoil，ofdanger，andofglory。^59
Intheirgreatinvasions，thecampsofthebarbarianswerefilledwithamultitudeofwomen，whoremainedfirmandundauntedamidstthesoundofarms，thevariousformsofdestruction，andthehonorablewoundsoftheirsonsandhusbands。^60FaintingarmiesofGermanshave，morethanonce，beendrivenbackupontheenemy，bythegenerousdespairofthewomen，whodreadeddeathmuchlessthanservitude。Ifthedaywasirrecoverablylost，theywellknewhowtodeliverthemselvesandtheirchildren，withtheirownhands，fromaninsultingvictor。^61Heroinesofsuchacastmayclaimouradmiration；buttheyweremostassuredlyneitherlovely，norverysusceptibleoflove。Whilsttheyaffectedtoemulatethesternvirtuesofman，theymusthaveresignedthatattractivesoftness，inwhichprincipallyconsistthecharmandweaknessofwoman。ConsciouspridetaughttheGermanfemalestosuppresseverytenderemotionthatstoodincompetitionwithhonor，andthefirsthonorofthesexhaseverbeenthatofchastity。Thesentimentsandconductofthesehigh—spiritedmatronsmay，atonce，beconsideredasacause，asaneffect，andasaproofofthegeneralcharacterofthenation。Femalecourage，howeveritmayberaisedbyfanaticism，orconfirmedbyhabit，canbeonlyafaintandimperfectimitationofthemanlyvalorthatdistinguishestheageorcountryinwhichitmaybefound。
[Footnote57:Ovidemploystwohundredlinesintheresearchofplacesthemostfavorabletolove。Aboveall，heconsidersthetheatreasthebestadaptedtocollectthebeautiesofRome，andtomeltthemintotendernessandsensuality，]
[Footnote58:Tacit。Germ。iv。61，65。]
[Footnote59:Themarriagepresentwasayokeofoxen，horses，andarms。SeeGerm。c。18。Tacitusissomewhattoofloridonthesubject。]
[Footnote60:Thechangeofexigereintoexugereisamostexcellentcorrection。]
[Footnote61:Tacit。Germ。c。7。PlutarchinMario。BeforethewivesoftheTeutonesdestroyedthemselvesandtheirchildren，theyhadofferedtosurrender，onconditionthattheyshouldbereceivedastheslavesofthevestalvirgins。]
ThereligioussystemoftheGermansifthewildopinionsofsavagescandeservethatnamewasdictatedbytheirwants，theirfears，andtheirignorance。^62Theyadoredthegreatvisibleobjectsandagentsofnature，theSunandtheMoon，theFireandtheEarth；togetherwiththoseimaginarydeities，whoweresupposedtopresideoverthemostimportantoccupationsofhumanlife。Theywerepersuaded，that，bysomeridiculousartsofdivination，theycoulddiscoverthewillofthesuperiorbeings，andthathumansacrificeswerethemostpreciousandacceptableofferingtotheiraltars。Someapplausehasbeenhastilybestowedonthesublimenotion，entertainedbythatpeople，oftheDeity，whomtheyneitherconfinedwithinthewallsofthetemple，norrepresentedbyanyhumanfigure；butwhenwerecollect，thattheGermanswereunskilledinarchitecture，andtotallyunacquaintedwiththeartofsculpture，weshallreadilyassignthetruereasonofascruple，whicharosenotsomuchfromasuperiorityofreason，asfromawantofingenuity。TheonlytemplesinGermanyweredarkandancientgroves，consecratedbythereverenceofsucceedinggenerations。Theirsecretgloom，theimaginedresidenceofaninvisiblepower，bypresentingnodistinctobjectoffearorworship，impressedthemindwithastilldeepersenseofreligioushorror；^63andthepriests，rudeandilliterateastheywere，hadbeentaughtbyexperiencetheuseofeveryartificethatcouldpreserveandfortifyimpressionssowellsuitedtotheirowninterest。
[Footnote62:Tacitushasemployedafewlines，andCluveriusonehundredandtwenty—fourpages，onthisobscuresubject。TheformerdiscoversinGermanythegodsofGreeceandRome。Thelatterispositive，that，undertheemblemsofthesun，themoon，andthefire，hispiousancestorsworshippedtheTrinityinunity]
[Footnote63:Thesacredwood，describedwithsuchsublimehorrorbyLucan，wasintheneighborhoodofMarseilles；butthereweremanyofthesamekindinGermany。
Note:TheancientGermanshadshapelessidols，and，whentheybegantobuildmoresettledhabitations，theyraisedalsotemples，suchasthattothegoddessTeufana，whopresidedoverdivination。SeeAdelung，Hist。ofAneGermans，p296—G]