A VIEW OF SOCIETY

found an observer more accurate and penetrating.In following such a guide, it is impossible not toconvey information; and, on this subject, no modernhas a title to speculate, who has not paid a mostminute attention to his treatise. Antiquity has notgiven to the kingdoms of Europe a present morevaluable.

The leading circumstance in discriminating themanners of barbarous and refined tiroes, is thedifference which exists between them in the know-ledge and the management of property. The wantof commerce, and the ignorance of money, permitthe barbarian to exercise a generosity of conduct ,which the progress of the arts is to destroy. TheGermans conceived not that their descendants wereto grow illustrious by acquisitions of land, andthat they were to employ the metals as a sourceof influence. Land was yet more connected withthe nation than the individual. The territory pos-sessed by tribes was considered as their property,and cultivated for their use. The produce belongedto the public; and the magistrate, in his distribu-tions of it, paid attention to the virtue and themerits of the receiver ( i),.

The German, accordingly, being unacquaintedwith particular professions , and with mercenarypursuits, was animated with high sentiments ofpride and greatness. He was guided by affectionand appetite; and , though fierce in the field , andterrible to an enemy , was gentle in his domesticcapacity, and found a pleasure in acts of benefi-cence , magnanimity , and friendship.