OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

365

which sometimes tempted the Romans to com- chap.pliment him with the regal title/ _

The comparative view of the powers of themoreabso-magistrates, in two remarkable instances, isalone sufficient to represent the whole system ofP^* y t ‘^ a "German manners. The disposal of the landed P^onsproperty within their district was absolutely Germans ,vested in their hands, and they distributed itevery year according to a new division/ At thesame time they were not authorised to punishwith death, to imprison, or even to strike, aprivate citizen/ A people thus jealous of theirpersons, and careless of their possessions, musthave been totally destitute of industry and thearts, but animated with a high sense of honourand independence.

The Germans respected only those duties Voluntarywhich they imposed on themselves. The mostmintiT'obscure soldier resisted with disdain the autho-rity of the magistrates. “ The noblest youths“ blushed not to be numbered among the“ faithful companions of some renow ned chief,

“ to whom they devoted their arms and service.

“ A noble emulation prevailed among the com-“ panions, to obtain the first place in the esteem“ of their chief; amongst the chiefs, to acquire“ the greatest number of valiant companions.

“ To be ever surrounded by a band of select“ youths, was the pride and strength of the“ chiefs, their ornament in peace, their defence

i Chivcr. Germ. Ant. 1. i, o. 38.

c Caesar, vi, 22. Tacit. Germ. 26.

f Tacit. Germ. 7.