1 40 On the ORIGIN and STRUCTURE of 



the curiales, tranfacted the affairs of the community, and yield- 

 ed military fervice, under their tithing men or decuriones, led 

 by a comm m chief, called a gr off, burgraff, or counf, in the 

 fame way as the inhabitants of the country diftricts. 



THE cohveriion to Chriftianity was, however, an event that, 

 though it created no change in the general ftructure of the le- 

 giflature, muft have naturally augmented the numbers of the 

 deliberative body which prefided in it. As Chriftianity inca- 

 pacitated the leaders of tribes from officiating as chief priefts at 

 thofe religious rites which were ufually celebrated at the open- 

 ing of public affemblies, the biihops and abbots came naturally 

 to difcharge this duty on fuch occafions. In this way, they 

 muft have fhared in the rank, by fharing in the functions of 

 the chief; and the fituation in which they thus appeared at the 

 opening of all political conventions, would enable them to join, 

 with much effect, in the deliberations which enfued ; and their 

 fuperior knowledge, their facred character, and their influence 

 with the people, would foon acqxiire them power equal to their 

 rank. They muft, therefore, have been well entitled to demand 

 admiflion into that council, which was formed by the king and 

 the lay chiefs, at the national affemblies ; and, as they balanced 

 the authority of thofe chiefs, we cannot doubt, that the king 

 would be difpofed to give the utmoft effect to their claim. Ac- 

 cordingly, we every where find the dignified clergy prefiding 

 along with the lay magiftrates, in the provincial affemblies of 

 every degree in all the Gothic nations, and enjoying every ad- 

 vantage, in point of rank and authority, in their national diets. 

 As to the inferior clergy, they muft long have continued 

 blended with the body of the freemen. It was by degrees only 

 that eccleliaftics were at; firft exempted, and afterwards prohi- 

 bited from yielding military fervice j and we may be fure, that, 

 in a rude age, the clerical character muft be unable to extin- 

 guilh fuddenly that of the warrior. 



THE 



