MODJERN HISTORY. 157 



portant, and proper to afiift the mind of thofc 

 who make ic their ftudy. 



X. The firft period comprehends the hiftory 

 of ancient (jaul, to the true that Julius Caefar 

 finifhcd the conqueft of that country, about 

 forty eight years before the birth of Cnrift. 



The iecond period contains the time that 

 Gaul was under the dominion of the Romans, 

 till the Francs entered that country, and there 

 cftablifhcd their refidence > which includes about 

 400 years. 



The third period, which begins about the 

 year of Jcfus Chrift 412, contains the govern- 

 ment of the Francs in Gaul i and goes only to 

 the year 420. From that period the kingdom 

 of France has been governed by kings that have 

 iprung from grand houfes, which they call Ra- 

 ces -, and of which there are five that form ib 

 many diftinct and conlpicuous divifions in the 

 hiftory of this illuftnous monarchy. 



The fourth period, therefore, contains the 

 hiftory. of France, under twelve Kings of the Me- 

 rovingian race, from Pharamond the firft King -, 

 that is, from the year 420 to 752 ; when Chil- 

 dcric III. after the death of Charles Martcl, was 

 depoicd by the States, and Pcpin elected in his 

 Head. This period comprehends 332 years. 

 firft period makes ; .indent hiftory ; 



the iecond, third, and iourth belong to the 

 h, and all that follow, appe 

 to modern hiftory. 



