In this circumstance, and those
afterwards
related, the North American savages exactly agree with the ancient Germans.
Tacitus
—who more inured to hardships, insomuch that for the most part they provide no covering for their bodies, no retreat against the perpetual severity of the climate?
"]
87 (return)
[ Hence it seems that these noble lads were deemed principes in rank, yet had their position among the comites only. The German word Gesell is peculiarly appropriated to these comrades in arms. So highly were they esteemed in Germany, that for killing or hurting them a fine was exacted treble to that for other freemen. ]
88 (return)
[ Hence, when Chonodomarus, king of the Alamanni, was taken prisoner by the Romans, "his companions, two hundred in number, and three friends peculiarly attached to him, thinking it infamous to survive their prince, or not to die for him, surrendered themselves to be put in bonds. "—Ammianus Marcellinus, xvi. 13. ]
89 (return)
[ Hence Montesquieu (Spirit of Laws, xxx, 3) justly derives the origin of vassalage. At first, the prince gave to his nobles arms and provision: as avarice advanced, money, and then lands, were required, which from benefices became at length hereditary possessions, and were called fiefs. Hence the establishment of the feudal system. ]
90 (return)
[ Caesar, with less precision, says, "The Germans pass their whole lives in hunting and military exercises. " (Bell. Gall, vi. 21. ) The picture drawn by Tacitus is more consonant to the genius of a barbarous people: besides that, hunting being the employment but of a few months of the year, a greater part must necessarily be passed in indolence by those who had no other occupation.
In this circumstance, and those afterwards related, the North American savages exactly agree with the ancient Germans. ]
91 (return)
[ This apparent contradiction is, however, perfectly agreeable to the principles of human nature. Among people governed by impulse more than reason, everything is in the extreme: war and peace; motion and rest; love and hatred; none are pursued with moderation. ]
92 (return)
[ These are the rudiments of tributes; though the contributions here spoken of were voluntary, and without compulsion. The origin of exchequers is pointed out above, where "part of the mulct" is said to be "paid to the king or state. " Taxation was taught the Germans by the Romans, who levied taxes upon them. ]
93 (return)
[ So, in after-times, when tributes were customary, 500 oxen or cows were required annually from the Saxons by the French kings Clothaire I. and Pepin. (See Eccard, tom. i. pp. 84, 480. ) Honey, corn, and other products of the earth, were likewise received in tribute. (Ibid. p. 392.
87 (return)
[ Hence it seems that these noble lads were deemed principes in rank, yet had their position among the comites only. The German word Gesell is peculiarly appropriated to these comrades in arms. So highly were they esteemed in Germany, that for killing or hurting them a fine was exacted treble to that for other freemen. ]
88 (return)
[ Hence, when Chonodomarus, king of the Alamanni, was taken prisoner by the Romans, "his companions, two hundred in number, and three friends peculiarly attached to him, thinking it infamous to survive their prince, or not to die for him, surrendered themselves to be put in bonds. "—Ammianus Marcellinus, xvi. 13. ]
89 (return)
[ Hence Montesquieu (Spirit of Laws, xxx, 3) justly derives the origin of vassalage. At first, the prince gave to his nobles arms and provision: as avarice advanced, money, and then lands, were required, which from benefices became at length hereditary possessions, and were called fiefs. Hence the establishment of the feudal system. ]
90 (return)
[ Caesar, with less precision, says, "The Germans pass their whole lives in hunting and military exercises. " (Bell. Gall, vi. 21. ) The picture drawn by Tacitus is more consonant to the genius of a barbarous people: besides that, hunting being the employment but of a few months of the year, a greater part must necessarily be passed in indolence by those who had no other occupation.
In this circumstance, and those afterwards related, the North American savages exactly agree with the ancient Germans. ]
91 (return)
[ This apparent contradiction is, however, perfectly agreeable to the principles of human nature. Among people governed by impulse more than reason, everything is in the extreme: war and peace; motion and rest; love and hatred; none are pursued with moderation. ]
92 (return)
[ These are the rudiments of tributes; though the contributions here spoken of were voluntary, and without compulsion. The origin of exchequers is pointed out above, where "part of the mulct" is said to be "paid to the king or state. " Taxation was taught the Germans by the Romans, who levied taxes upon them. ]
93 (return)
[ So, in after-times, when tributes were customary, 500 oxen or cows were required annually from the Saxons by the French kings Clothaire I. and Pepin. (See Eccard, tom. i. pp. 84, 480. ) Honey, corn, and other products of the earth, were likewise received in tribute. (Ibid. p. 392.
