100 



Of the Barbarian Governments iu Europe, 



THE governments founded on the ruins of the Roman em- 

 pire, namely, in Italy, Gaul, Spain and Britain, present 

 many points of view favourable to the happiness of the in- 

 habitants ; of these I shall briefly point out the most conspi- 

 cuous. 



1st, Their firm attachment to a given family, to some 

 member of which the executive and judicial, and in some 

 degree also the legislative powers of the state were confided, 

 and the regal dignity conferred : thus the confusion of elec- 

 tions, and the violent attempts of usurpers were prevented. 

 This rule Avas never violated, except where the regal family, 

 by reason of its imbecility, became incapable of exercising 

 the regal functions, and not often even then. 



2diy, That the regal power was constitutionally limited by 

 general assemblies, at first of all the freemen and clergy of 

 the state, and afterwards by those of the principal inhabi- 

 tants and the bishops. Thus tyranny was checked, many 

 wholesome laws enacted, perverse customs eradicated, and a 

 due regard for learning was introduced among an illiterate 

 people. 



.3dly, Principles 



