INTRODUCTION.. 49 



Constantine, who was emperor at the beginning of the fourth. 

 Century, and who had embraced Christianity, transferred the . ^ 

 seat of empire from Rome to Constantinople. The western " „ 

 and eastern provinces were in consequence separated from 

 each other, and governed by different sovereigns. The withdraw- 

 ing the Roman legions from the Rhine and the Danube to the east, 

 threw down the western barriers of the empire, and laid it open to 

 the invaders. 



Rome (now known by the name of the Western Empire, in con- 

 tradistinction to Constantinople, which, from its situation, was call- 

 ed the Eastern Empire) weakened by this division, became a prey 

 to the barbarous nations Its ancient glory, vainly deemed » -pj 

 immortal, was effaced ; and Odoacer, a barbarian chieftain, .„-' 

 was seated on the throne of the Csesars. These irruptions 

 into the empire were gradual and successive. The immense fabric 

 of the Roman empire was the work of many ages ; and several 

 centuries were employed in demolishing it. The ancient military 

 discipline of the Romans was so efficacious, that the remains of it, 

 which descended to their successors, must have rendered them 

 superior to their enemies, had it not been for the vices of their 

 emperors, and the universal corruption of manners among the peo- 

 ple. Satiated with the luxuries of the known world, the emperors 

 were at a loss to find new provocatives. The most distant regions 

 were explored, the ingenuity of mankind was exercised, and the 

 tribute of provinces expended upon one favourite dish. The tyranny 

 and the universal depravation of manners that prevailed under 

 the emperors, or, as they are called, Csesars, could only be equalled 

 by the barbarity of those nations of which the empire at length 

 became the prey. 



Towards the close of the sixth century, the Saxons, a German, 

 nation, were masters of the southern and more fertile provinces of 

 Britain ; the Franks, another tribe of Germans, of Gaul ; the Goths;, 

 of Spain ; the Goths and Lombards, of Italy and the adjacent pro- 

 vinces. Scarcely any vestige of the Roman policy, jurisprudence, 

 arts, or literature, remained. New forms of government, new 

 laws, new manners, new , dresses, new languages, and new names 

 of men and countries, were every where introduced. 



From this period till the 15th century, Europe exhibited a pic- 

 ture of most melancholy Gothic barbarity. Literature, science, 

 taste, were words scarcely in use during these ages. Persons of 

 the highest rank, and in the most eminent stations, could not read 

 or write. Many of the clergy did not understand the Bi^eviary, 

 which they were obliged daily to recite ; some of them could 

 scarcely read it. The human mind, neglected, uncultivated, and 

 depressed, sunk into the most profound ignorance. The superior 

 genius of Charlemagne, who, in the beginning of the ninth cen- 

 tury, governed France and Germany, with part of Italy. ...and Alfred 

 the Great in England, during the latter part of the same century... 

 voured to dispel this darkness, and give their subjects a short 

 glimpse of light. But the ignorance of the age was too powerful 

 for their efforts and institutions. The darkness returned, and even 

 Increased ; so that a still greater degree of ignorance and barbarism 

 prevailed throughout Europe. 



A new division of property gradually introduced, a new species 

 of government, formerly unknown ; which singular institution it 



Vol. I. H 



