little known, we find thofe nations who ap- 

 plied themfelves to it, very flrong, and capa- 

 ble of refitting the moft powerful enemies. 

 The northern barbarians, indeed, who invad- 

 ed the empire, were as ignorant of agricul- 

 ture as of commerce. They deftroyed and de- 

 populated, therefore, every where, to fuch a 

 degree, that the Romans, numerous as they 

 had been, but now much enervated by divi- 

 fions among themfelves, and diffipation, were 

 almoft entirely exterminated; while their fa- 

 vage conquerors found themfelves in danger 

 of ftarving from the effe&s of their own de- 

 vaftations. Agriculture, therefore, once more, 

 became the general objedl, and, while it con- 

 tinued to be fo, the European nations, hot- 

 withftanding their continual wars among 

 themfelves, were numerous and ftrong ; fo 

 that, when the rage of crufading commenced, 

 they were able to fpare a million of warriors 

 at once, not only without difadvantage, but 

 to the very great emolument of thofe who 

 were left ; as thofe warriors Were the perfons, 

 who, under pretences of glory and honour, 

 kept every nation in Europe in a ferment. 



Hiftory, however, is not at prefeiit our ob- 



jeft. Every one knows, that, with the cru- 



F fades 



