Book XVIII.
Chap.26.is not there a subject of ridicule. To corrupt or be corrupted, is not called a point of fashion; or a manner of spending life: there are few[1] examples in this populous nation of the violation of conjugal faith."
This was the reason of the expulsion of Childeric: he shocked their rigid virtue, which conquest had not had time to corrupt.
CHAP. XXVI.
Of the Time when the Kings of the Franks became of Age.
BARBARIANS who do not cultivate the earth, have, strictly speaking, no jurisdiction, and are, as we have already said, rather governed by the law of nations, than by civil laws. They are therefore always armed. Thus Tacitus tells us, "that the Germans[2] undertook no affairs either of a public or private nature, unarmed." They gave their[3] opinion by a sign with their arms[4]. As soon as they could carry them, they were presented to the assembly; they put a javelin[5] into their hands: from that moment they[6] were out of their infancy; they had been a part of the family, now they became a part of the republic.
- ↑ Paucissima in tam numerosu gente adulteria. Ibid.
- ↑ Nibil neque publicæ neque privatre rei nisi armati agunt. Ibid.
- ↑ Si diseplicait sentcntia, sremitu aspernantur; sin placuit, frameas concutiunt. Ibid.
- ↑ Sed arma semere ante cuiquam moris quam civitas suffecturum probaverit.
- ↑ Tum in ipso concilio vel principum aliquis, vel pater, vel propinquus, seuto framedque juvenem ornant.
- ↑ Hæc apud illos toga, bic primus juventæ bonos; ante hoc domus pars videntur, mox reipublicæ.
