440 ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE. 



serf who tilled the ground, are of a character so striking as to involve 

 the origin of some of the most important changes which have taken 

 place in the world. 



The class which at first received the greatest amelioration from 

 these expeditions, was perhaps that of the nobility. Full of savage 

 ferocity, the noble, unrestrained by any law, either divine or human, 

 obeyed no master save his own inclination, acknowledged no power 

 save superior strength. In him a fair subject was displayed for the 

 operation of one of those energies destined to alter the manners and 

 feelings of man. Summoned from his castle to undertake a distant 

 and perilous expedition, the greatness of the end, the high and lofty 

 character of the object gave existence to sensations never before ex- 

 perienced. That courage which previously exercised only in the 

 prosecution of petty feuds, was directed now to an enterprise not 

 only, he believed, without reproach, but claiming the admiration 

 and sympathy of Christendom. It roused an exalted enthusiasm. 

 Distance and danger begat sympathy ; and love, that all-powerful 

 softener of the human heart, now contributed to work its effect. 



The soldier of the cross, separated from the lady of his love in 

 an absence of years, fondly and faithfully cherished her memory ; in 

 the solitude of his tent, in the hurry of approaching conflict, in the 

 heat of action, her image was ever present to his thoughts. The love of 

 woman that passion which, pure and undebased, acts as the surest 

 safeguard of virtue, was carried to an excess bordering almost on 

 .idolatry. Religion, sharing the mind in conjuction with the tender 

 affections of nature, acquired a character of touching interest of 

 ardent and sincere devotion. Separated from the scenes and objects 

 of his former tyranny, a lengthened absence rendered him forgetful 

 of the oppression hitherto deemed necessary to be exercised on his 

 vassals, and the fellow feeling of danger taught him to consider them 

 as beings formed with the same feelings, and fashioned in the same 

 mould as himself; and chivalry, that beautiful tree planted in the 

 chaos of the middle age, produced glorious fruit. Those who gather- 

 ed together beneath its branches, in the absence of recognised law, 

 formed a code for themselves, regulated by a stern and impartial 

 principle honour, which surviving to modern times, has ever been, 

 next to religion, the most effectual barrier against the approaches of 

 vice. 



What, then, were the beneficial effects of this great revolution 

 upon the poor victims of tyranny and oppression ? The picture 

 which they exhibit is so sad and revolting, as to excite the warmest 

 feelings of compassion, and to arouse the most animated indig- 

 nation. 



The troops led forth by the seigneur to join the sacred army of 

 the cross, were often, from the want of vassals holding their lands by 

 the tenure of military service, obliged to have their ranks completed 

 by the admission of serfs. Did these men return to resume their pre- 

 vious condition ? No. By investing themselves with the holy 

 cross, they had acquired a character of peculiar sanctity. They who 

 had fought and bled under the hallowed crimson banner, could 



