Preface
THE object of the following work is to make a small contribution to that science, which, however little it may be cultivated, is only second in importance to one other, — I mean the branch of knowledge which has at various times been designated Political Science, Political Philosophy, Polity, and State Economy. This is something quite distinct from, and, I venture to affirm, more interesting to society, than the limited study of Political Economy, which forms only a section of it, and which confines itself to the production and distribution of wealth. The science of State Economy, on the other hand, however much it has been neglected in this country,* includes the whole internal regulation of states, their resources, their composition, and their means of improvement.
The country to which this volume is devoted has been often described by travellers of various tastes and talents, each working on his own peculiar plan, and pursuing his distinct path; but no work in our own language, and none with which I am acquainted in any other idiom, attempts to draw so comprehensive a picture of the entire land, or to afford, even within the limits of many volumes, so concentrated a view of its various features. The learned men, indeed, who spring so abundantly from that soil, have not neglected to portray, with the utmost minuteness, the country on which they cast so much
b vi PREFACE.
lustre, but their labours are scattered over an extensive, and not always accessible ground.
The eminent German writers who have illustrated the statistics, institutions, and geography of their own country, will pardon the omissions as well as the commissions of this work, which derives nearly all that is most valuable in its composition from their researches. They will discern imperfections in many parts which will not be equally perceptible to other eyes ; but I am too well acquainted with their candour not to foresee that the desire which animates me of rendering justice to Germany, will ensure on their part a liberal interpretation, if not a welcome. Although the subject is far from being exhausted in this volume, and is not even fully treated in all its parts, yet by most English readers it will be found sufficiently large, if not abundantly long.
I am far from professing to present either a Geography or a Topography of Germany, — but my endeavour is rather to point out all that is most remarkable and characteristic in that country; all which distinguishes it from its neighbours ; all which connects it with the political, literary, and social state of mankind; and all which marks its actual condition and prospects. Some readers will find a few things here which they did not expect, and others will look in vain for some objects which they hoped to discover. It was necessary to make a selection out of so vast a whole; and I have often sought rather for that which lies under the surface, and which is least current in the works of travellers and geographers, than for matters familiar to all, and readily available in other sources. The quality and the interest of materials have guided my choice much more than
PREFACE. vti
their disposition to form a compact and uniform system. Thus I have omitted nearly all that relates to geology, natural history, and climate, — while I have indulged freely in most branches of statistics, and have even introduced prisons and mineral waters. An author can hardly be blamed for not doing that of which he does not announce any intention ; those, in short, who feel an interest in Germany, will not quarrel with the topics which I have handled ; and those who are indifferent to the subject, assuredly would not be satisfied with a description still more bulky, various, and prolix.
J[ shall be amply rewarded if this imperfect compilation should in any degree awaken the attention of Englishmen to a country which is allied to them by closer and more natural ties than any other section of Europe: to a people who harmonize with us in character, in many of their tastes, and in extraction ; and who are disposed to regard us with a more fraternal eye than any other, except, perhaps, the Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes. Our literature has, in Germany, found its warmest admirers, and its ablest commentators; and long habits of peace have generated towards us an alliance of the heart, not dependant on treaties, and not capable of being stifled by decrees. In moments of calamity, to that quarter we must turn with the best probability of support, — if the sentiment of national gratitude does really exist at all ; and in all seasons, those amongst us who may find it convenient to quit their own country, or to educate their children abroad, will there meet with the nearest equivalent for the home which they abandon, and will incur the least risk of corrupting the morals of their children, at the same time that they secure for them accomplishments,
b 2
Vlll PREFACE.
which, if they must be sought elsewhere, can nowhere be so easily acquired as in Germany.
It would be tedious to enumerate the various sources to which I have had recourse ; many are quoted in the text, or in notes, several have been obtained on the spot during a lengthened residence, and some from frequent oral and written communication with natives. Throughout, I have been most largely indebted to the " Statistical and Genealogical Almanac*," published annually at Weimar, originally edited by the late indefatigable Hassel, and continued in the most elaborate manner by Dr. Froriep, the chief of the remarkable " Industrie Comptoir" at Weimar, from which so many excellent productions have emanated. Stein's admirable " Manual of Geography and Statistics," has also contributed to my stores f.
For the chapter on prisons, embracing also some portion of criminal and moral statistics, I am indebted to the elaborate notes which Lagarmitte has appended to the Strasburg edition of " Julius on Prisons," published in 1831. Among the miscellaneous authorities to whom I must express my obligations, I may enumerate in general terms, the well-known names of Balbi, Bickes, Hasse], Malchus, Schnabel, Schb'n, Berghaus's " Journal £," and the " Revue Germanique," which has ceased to exist.
The history of German literature, as far as the name
* " Genealogisch-Historisch-Statistisches Almanach." To the " Almanack de Gotha, published annually at Gotha, in the French language, I have also been occasionally indebted.
t " Handbuch der Geographic und Statistik." (Volume the second.)
J " Annalen der Erd-Vb'lker und Staatenkunde," Berlin. We perceive with pleasure that Berghaus is now publishing a very elaborate systematic work, entitled " Allgemeine Lander und Yolkerkunde."
PREFACE. ix
of Schiller, is derived from lectures delivered at the university of Bonn, by the venerable and widely-known W. A. von Schlegel ; this is the first time that they have appeared in any form, and I am indebted for them to the copious notes taken on the spot by my accomplished friend, Mr. George Toynbee, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of London. To the talents and learning of this gentleman I must express my grateful acknowledgment for very much valuable assistance afforded in other parts of this work, and especially in the continuation of the history of German literature to the present day.
For the materials of the history of the nobility of Germany, I am indebted to the " Geschichte des Adels," of Rauschnick. The account of the mineral waters has been derived from the " Balneographisches Statistisch- Historisches Hand und Worterbuch," by Von Zedlitz. The anecdotes of the orders of knighthood have been supplied by the " Almanach de Gotha." To the well-known repertory, the " Conversations-Lexikon," (eighth edition,) and to its Supplement, the " Conversations- Lexikon der Neuesten Zeit und Literatur," we have had frequent recourse.
The tables in the Appendix are not offered as positive facts, but merely as probable approximations to the real state of things; they can only be regarded as x evidence afforded by various writers, collected at varying periods ; — and, although more or less correct at the time at which they were at first severally published, may no longer be applicable to the existing condition of things. Statistical science is not to be depreciated because its results are not permanent; in
X PREFACE.
this respect it partakes of the alloy of almost all human sciences,- — whose principles and whose facts are successively rejected or modified in each coming generation ; yet the labours of our predecessors are not on that account useless, and those who subsequently work in the same mine profit by their errors, omissions, and exaggerations, and employ them as a safety-lamp to guide their steps in future researches.
Chapter II
General View of Germany. Name, Position, Surface, Climate ; Rivers, Canals, Railroads, Products; Population, Language, Universities, Periodicals, Theatres; Manufactures, Exports and Imports ; the New Commercial Union ; Political Constitution. General Statistical View of each of the States forming the German Confederation - - 39
Chapter III
The Mediatized Princes of Germany. View of the Extent and Population of their Domains, and of their Revenues - - 51
Chapter IV
The Nobility of Germany. View of its General History. The Austrian Nobility ; Bavarian Nobility ; Suabian and Rhenish Nobility ; Brunswick Nobility ; Prussian Nobility. , Sketch of the present state of the German Nobility - 55
Chapter V
Biographical and Critical View of Modern German Literature. Modern German Literature, from the time of Gottsched to the era of Goethe and Schiller. Gottsched, Hagedorn, and Haller. Bodmer and Breitinger. J. E. Schlegel, Gellert. Klopstock's early labours. First productions of Wieland, Sulzer, Gleim, Uz, Kleist, Ramler, Gesner. The School of Berlin— Lessing, Mendelsohn, and Nicolai. Engel, Winkelman. "Works of Klopstock, of Lessing, and of Wieland, Voss, Herder, Burger, Goethe, Schiller - - 78
Xll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI. Page
Modern German Literature, continued. The Romantic School ; Augustus William von Schlegel; Frederic von Schlegel ; Tieck, Wackenroder, and Novalis; Achim von Arnim and Brentano; Sclileiermachcr, Gb'rres, and Steffens ; Kleist, Fouque, and Horn. German Humourists of the past Century; Thummel, Hippel, and Lichtenstein. Humourists of the present Century; Richter, Hoffman, and Chamisso. Werner, Milliner, and Grillparzer; Kbrner. Modern Lyric Poets; Uhland, Schwab, Riickert, Platen, and Chamisso. Henry Heine, and Boerne - 115
Chapter VIII
Modern German Artists. Architects, Sculptors, Painters. Encouragement afforded to the Fine Arts at Munich by the King of Bavaria, and Reflections on the Results. Importance of affording free Access to Public Edifices and Collections. Music in Germany. The Drama - - 151
Chapter IX
Chronological Outline of the Progress of Literature, Science, Art, and Civilization in Germany, from their early Periods, to the present Time - - 161
Chapter X
Literary Statistics of Germany. The Modern Press. Enumeration of the chief Libraries, with estimates of their Extent - 165
Chapter XI
On Religion in Germany. Rationalism; Supranaturalism. Theological Education. Constitution of the Church; Proportion of Ministers of Religion to the Population; Church Property ; Church Patronage ; Salaries of Clergymen who are not of the Established Church. Religious Sects in Germany : — The Moravians, Socinians, Mennonites, Pietists, Herrnhuters, Swedenborgians - -171
Chapter XII
Education in Germany. General View of the Universities. Academical Regulations. Translation of the Prospectus of Lectures delivered at the University of Gottingen. Particulars
CONTENTS. Xlll
Pago
respecting the mode of Life at a German University. Preparatory Schools. Gymnasiums, Lyceums, Pedagogiums. Education in Austria. System of Public Education in Prussia. Normal Schools - - 187
Chapter XIII
Prisons and Prisoners in Germany. Introductory Remarks on the Discipline of Prisons. An account of the Prisons of Germany before their later improvements. Criminal Legislation in Austria. Present Condition and Statistics of the principal Prisons of Germany : their degree of Security ; State of Health, Medical Police, Diet, and Mortality; Modes of Inspection, Classification, Labour; Education, Elementary Instruction, Religious Instruction, Worship ; Punishments. The care taken of the Prisoner on his liberation. Concluding Reflections - 206
CHAPTER XIY.
The Mineral Waters and Baths of Germany. Aix-la-Chapelle, Alexanderbad, Alexisbad, Altwasser, Baden near Vienna, Baden-Baden, Berka, Bocklet, Briickenau, Cannstadt, Carlsbad, Carlsbrunn, Cudowa, Cuxhaven, Dinkhold, Dobbelbad, Doberan, Draitsch, Eger, Eilsen, Ems, Fachingen, Franzenbrunn, Freyenwalde, Gastein, Griesbach, Gross- Wardein, Hercules-Baths, Hirschberg, Kissingen, Landeck, Lauchstadt, Liebenstein, Mannersdorf, Marienbad, Meinberg, Nenndorf, Nieder Setters, Nierenstein, Nordheim, Ofen, Puttbus, Pyrmont, Rehburg, Reinerz, Riigenwalde, Salzbrunn, Schandau, Schlangenbad, Schwalbach, Seidschutz, Sedlitz, Selters, Swinemunde, Teinach, Toeplitz, Travemiinde, Warmbrunn, Wisbaden, Wildbad. - 239
CHAPTER XY.
Orders of Knighthood in the several States of Germany - - 265
CHAPTER XVI.
Reflections on the Political and Social Condition of Germany - 272 CHAPTER XVII.
Censorship of the Press, and State of the Law relative to Literary Property - - 289
CHAPTER XVIII.
Anecdotes of the Newspaper Press - - 296
XIV CONTENTS.
Section II. Germany Considered In Its Parts. Chapter XIX
Page
The Empire of Austria. The ruling Family. Provinces and Population; principal Towns; Races. Religion; number of Clergy; Monasteries in Bohemia; Universities. Budget; Army; Navy. Form of Government; Officers of Government; Officers of the Court. Births and Deaths; Statistics of the Population of Bohemia; number of Medical Men in an Austrian Province ; Statistics of Vienna. Criminal Statistics of the Empire of Austria - - 303
CHAPTER XX.
The Kingdom of Prussia. Nationality. The Royal Family. Provinces and Population. Births and Deaths. Principal Towns. Races. Religion ; Number of Clergy. Universities and other Educational Institutions. Budget; Paper Money in Circulation. Army ; Pay of the Army. Form of Government; Provincial Diets; Officers of Government, and their Salaries; List of Questions respecting the character and qualifications of Candidates for Office in Prussia ; Officers of the Court. Statistics of Berlin. Statistics of the Government- District of Potsdam. Statistics of Education. System of Police respecting Public Women, Houses of 111 Fame, and the like. Criminal Statistics of the Seven Provinces of Old Prussia, during Three Years; Number of Arrests at Berlin; Juvenile Delinquents. Courts of Law. On the Military tendency of Prussia - 317
CHAPTER XXI.
The Kingdom of Bavaria. The Royal Family. Circles and Population; Principal Towns. Religion. Universities and Schools. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Officers of Government, and of the Crown. Statistics of the Population. Produce. Cultivation. Manufactures. Military Conscription. Vaccination. Statistics of the General Hospital at Munich for Nineteen Years. Number of Illegitimate Children. Courts of Justice ------- 343
CONTENTS. XV
CHAPTER XXII.
Page
The Kingdom of Saxony. The Ruling Family. Circles and Population; Principal Towns. Races. Religion. Educational Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Officers of Government, and of the Court. Statistics of the Population ; Births and Deaths ; Number of Medical Men ; Number of Deaf, Dumb, and Blind. Statistics of Education. Statistics of the Married State. Suicides and Accidents. Criminal Statistics. Salaries, Rent of Houses, and the like - 351
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Kingdom of Hanover. History of Hanover, from the earliest period to the present time. Genealogy of the reigning Families of Hanover and Brunswick. Present Royal Family. Statistical View of the Provinces of Hanover, and of their Population; Births and Deaths ; Principal Towns. Religion; Religious Institutions. Educational Institutions, Teachers, and Scholars. Prisons. Budget. Army. Density of Population; Relative Proportion of Civic Population. Statistics of Cultivation, and Proportion of Cultivated to Uncultivated Land. Division of Landed Property. Exports and Imports. Ships. Number of Tradesmen. Physical Character of the Country. Products. Manufactures. Character of the Inhabitants. Administration of Justice,. Description of the Town of Hanover. The Town of Gottingen - 360
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Duchy of Brunswick. The History of Brunswick; the Ruling Family; Districts and Population; Mediatized Possessions of the Duke; Principal Towns. Religion, Religious Institutions, Educational Institutions. Budget ; Army. Form of Government. Physical character of the Country; Products, Manufactures, Exports and Imports - - 393
CHAPTER XXV.
The Kingdom of Wurtemberg. The Ruling Family; Circles and Population ; Principal Towns. Religion ; Educational Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government; Ministers, and Officers of the Court. Births and Deaths ; Emigration ; Premature Marriages - - 398
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Grand Duchy of Baden. The Ruling Family ; Circles and Population; Principal Towns. Religion; Educational Insti-
XVI CONTENTS.
Pago
tutions. Religious Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Ministers of Government, and Officers of the Court. Criminal and Legal Statistics ; Miscellanies - - 403
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Electorate of Hesse-Cassel. The Ruling Family; Provinces and Population ; Principal Towns. Religion ; Educational Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government; Ministers, and Officers of the Court - - 407
CHAPTER XXYIII.
The Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt. The Ruling Family ; Provinces and Population ; Cultivation ; Division of "Wooded Property ; Principal Towns. Religion ; Educational Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government; Ministers, and Officers of Court - 409
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Homburg. The Ruling Family; Provinces and Population; Towns; Religion; Private Property of the Landgrave ; Budget, Army ; Form of Government ; Minister, Officers of the Court - - 413
CHAPTER XXX.
The Duchy of Nassau. The Ruling Family; Provinces and Population; Cultivation; Births and Deaths in 1833. Principal Towns. Religion; Educational Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Ministers and Officers of the Court - 415
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. The Ruling Family; Provinces and Population; Principal Towns. Religion; ' Educational Institutions. Budget ; Army. Form of Government ; Ministers ; Diet ; Officers of the Court - - 418
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The Ruling Family ; Provinces and Population ; Principal Towns. Educational Institutions. Budget ; Form of Government ; Ministers ; Administration of Justice, Officers of the Court. Sketch of the recent History of this Duchy. Physical Character of the Country; Products, Manufactures, Exports. The Town of Coburg. The Town of Gotha. Fortunes of the Reigning Family - - 421
CONTENTS. XV11
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Page
The Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg. The Ruling Family ; Provinces and Population; Principal Towns. Religion; Educational Institutions. Budget; Form of Government; Ministers, and Officers of the Court - - 427
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen-Hildburghausen. The Ruling Family ; Provinces and Population ; Principal Towns. Religion; Educational Institutions. Budget; Form of Government; Diet; Administration; Historical Sketch of the Ducal line of Saxe-Meiningen. Nature and Products of the Country. Town of Meiningen - - 429
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Ruling Family ; Provinces and Population ; Principal Towns ; Births and Deaths in 1835. Educational Institutions. Budget ; Army. Form of Government; Officers of Government, and of the Court. Nature of the Country; Manufactures. Religion; Public Instruction ; Administration of Justice - - 436
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The Ruling Family ; Provinces and Population ; Births and Deaths in 1835. Principal Towns. Religion; Educational Institutions. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Ministers ; Officers of the Court. Character of the Inhabitants of the two Duchies. Chronology of the two Duchies; Historical Sketch of the Reigning Family of the two Duchies - 438
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Dukedoms of Anhalt. The Ruling Families; Provinces and Population; Mediatized Possessions; Principal Towns; Possessions in Russia of the Duke of Cothen. Religion. Budget; Army. Form of Government; Ministers, and Officers of Court - - 444
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The Principality of Waldeck. The Ruling Family; Districts and Population ; Towns. Religion. Budget. Form of Government ; Officers of Government, and of the Court - 446
XV111 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Page
The Principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. The Ruling Family; Area: Population; Towns. Religion. Private Property of the Prince. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Ministers - 448
CHAPTER XL.
The Principality of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. The Ruling Family ; Area ; Population ; Towns. Budget ; Army. Form of Government; Ministers - - 449
CHAPTER XLI.
The Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. The Ruling Family; Districts and Population; Towns. Religion. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Officers of Government, and of the Court - 451
CHAPTER XLII.
The Principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. The Ruling Family. Districts and Population ; Towns. Religion ; Budget ; Army. Form of Government, Officers of Government and of the Court - 452
CHAPTER XLIII.
The Principality of Liechtenstein. The Ruling Family; Area; Mediatized Possessions of the Prince; Towns. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Officers of Government - - 453
CHAPTER XLIY.
The Duchy of Holstein. The Ruling Family; Districts and Population; Towns. Religion. Budget; Army. Form of Government - - 455
CHAPTER XLY.
The Principalities of Reuss. The Ruling Families; Divisions and Population; Principal Towns. Budget; Army. Form of Government; Ministers and Officers of the Courts - - 456
CHAPTER XLYI.
The Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. The Ruling Family; Provinces and Population ; Births and Deaths in 1833. Religion ; Educational Institutions. Army. Form of Government; Ministers, and Officers of the Court - - 458
CONTENTS. XIX
CHAPTER XLVII.
Page
The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. The Ruling Family. Area and Population; Races; Religion; Towns; Budget; Army. Form of Government - 460
CHAPTER XLVIII.
The Principality of Lippe. The Ruling Family. Districts and Population. Towns. Religion. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Officers of Government, and of the Court - 462
CHAPTER XLIX.
The Principality of Schauenburg. The Ruling Family. Districts and Population. Towns. Religion. Budget; Army. Form of Government ; Ministers - 463
CHAPTER L.
The Countship of Bentinck. A Half Sovereignty. The Ruling Family; Population - 464
CHAPTER LI.
The Free Towns. Frankfort: Territory and Population; Religion ; Form of Government ; Revenue, and Army. LubecJc: Territory and Population; Religion; Towns; Form of Government; Army; Revenue. Bremen: Territory and Population ; Religion; Towns; Births and Deaths in 1833. Form of Government. Army; Budget. Hamburg: Territory and Population; Religion; Towns; Form of Government; Army; Revenue. - - 465
Appendix
I. Comparative View of the Proportion of Taxes paid yearly by each individual, taking an average in the various States of Germany, and for the sake of illustration, in the other States
of Europe - - 471
II. Comparative View of the Proportion of the Military to the whole Population in the various States of Germany, and in
the other States of Europe - 472
XX
CONTENTS.
Page
III. Comparative Rate of Agricultural Wages in Germany, and
in other States of Europe - - 472
IV. Comparative Table of the Proportion of Legitimate to Illegitimate Births in various Countries and Cities of Germany, and of other European States - - 473
V. Table, showing the Number of Scholars attending Schools in the principal European States, and their Proportion to the entire Population - - 474
NOTE on p. 78
NOTE on p. 173. The Supranaturalists in Germany -
NOTE on p. 182. The Pietists
ERRATA.
Page
44, in the note, for Untersachungen uber Berolkerung, read Untersuchungen uber Bevolkerung.
55, line 10, for monarchies, read mono, rchies.
78, line 4 of Contents, for Uzkleist, read Ux9 Kleist. Line 5, of the same
Contents, for Gesser, read Gesner. 115, line 3 of Contents, for Goores, read Gorres. 142, line 22, after they, add defy. 144, line 24, for genuine, read genial. 162, last line of the text, for Oranach, read Cranach.
GERMANY.
SECTION L GERMANY CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE.
Chapter I
Sketch of the History of Germany, from the earliest Period to the present Time.
THE Germany of the Romans comprised not merely the marshy and woody region bounded by the Rhine, Danube, Vistula, and the Baltic, but also Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finnland, Livonia, and Prussia. The races which inhabited these territories, resembled each other more or less in physical character, manners, and language, and were considered to have had a common origin. The ancient German was of huge stature ; he had reddish hair and blue eyes ; he was more tolerant of cold and hunger than of heat and thirst ; loyal, faithful, and unsuspicious towards his friend, he well knew how to dissimulate and deceive when acting against an enemy ; impatient of control, he regarded independence as the greatest earthly blessing, and would sooner sacrifice his life than lose his liberty. Unacquainted not only with luxuries, but with the common arts of life, such as agriculture, the use of metals, and writing, his principal means of existence were furnished by scanty herds, and the precarious booty of the chase. In time of peace he was given to drunkenness and gambling, and was accustomed to regard as divine suggestions, the plans which he formed whilst in a state of intoxication.
The government of these races was democratic ; on the shores of the Baltic, it is true, the heads of several tribes were called kings, but regal power, as the moderns understand it, was never exercised. There were general assemblies of the people, into which, at a certain age, every youth was received, and where, either at fixed times, or on extraordinary occasions, deliberations were held on the necessity of declaring peace or war, and on the choice of leaders. On such occasions, they expressed their approval of a proposition by striking their weapons on their shields, and their disapprobation by hollow murmurs. On occasions of imminent danger, several tribes often chose a single leader, — generally some chief noted for his bravery, whose example was more efficacious than his commands. The power of the military chieftain was in abeyance in time of peace, when the sole authorities were civil officers chosen in the general assemblies, to decide disputes and administer justice in particular districts. These officers were called princes, and had each a guard and a council composed of one hundred persons, but they had no power to condemn a freeman to death, or even to cause him to be imprisoned or beaten.
Bravery was held to be the cardinal virtue of the men of the ancient German tribes, and chastity of their women. Polygamy was only tolerated in the princes, and divorces were of rare occurrence. Adultery was an inexpiable offence, and of seduction no defence was admitted. The religious opinions of this people could only be crude and imperfect; they adored the sun, moon, fire and earth, but they attributed the supreme direction of human affairs to certain gods, the creatures of their imagination, whose will and decrees it was the duty of the priests to ascertain. They believed in a future world, where the courageous are rewarded by feasts, where they narrate their former exploits, and drink beer from immense horns, or from the sculls of their enemies.
The origin of the ancient Germans, though very obscure, is doubtless Asiatic: Joseph von Hammer calls them a Bactrio- Median race. They first became known to the Romans in the year before Christ 114, when they invaded the Alpine regions, defeated the consul Papirius Carbo, and carried on a successful war against the republic for many years, till they were completely routed by Marius, B.C. 10], At this period they were
CH. I.] HISTORY OF GERMANY.
called the Cimbri, but very little was known respecting their origin or character. The next notice we find of them, is in the wars of Caesar, who after he had conquered Gaul, repulsed Ariovistus, a leader of the Germans, who had invaded and wished to settle in that country. Caesar twice crossed the Rhine, not with the view of making conquests in the German deserts, but for the purpose of protecting Gaul from ultra-rhenane incursions ; in his later Gallic wars, however, he had Germans in his pay, as also in his campaign against Pompey. The first extensive invasion of Germany was made by Tiberius, who advanced as far as the Elbe; but the career of Roman conquest was shortly interrupted by the defeat, or rather destruction, of three legions under Quintilius Varus, by Herman the Cheruscian, in the ninth year before Christ. The Romans now repassed the Rhine, and never recovered their former ground, notwithstanding the efforts of the heroic Germanicus ; indeed, they were shortly compelled to abandon the project of subjugating Germany.
In the first century after Christ, the relation of the Barbarians to the Romans was completely altered ; the policy of the latter was no longer aggressive, and they were happy now to be able to defend themselves against the predatory attacks, which, in the intervals of civil war, the Germans were in the habit of making on their neighbours. In the year 220, new races, the Visigoths, Gepidi, and Herulians, appeared in Dacia, and about the same time we first hear of the Alemanni, a mixture of Teutonic tribes, to protect themselves against whom, the Romans erected the Vallum Romanorum, parts of which still remain between Jacthausen and CEhringen. As the empire became weaker, the Franks, who, together with the Alemanni, were the most powerful German people, advanced as far as Spain, and shortly afterwards completely conquered Gaul, where they formed a state of which the first king was Clovis, and which was afterwards to comprehend Germany, or at least the territories of the Saxons, Thuringians, and Alemanni. Clovis died in the year 511, and was succeeded by his son, Thierry I., who subjugated the Thuringians, made the Saxons tributary to his power, and gave laws to the Suabians and Bavarians. Thierry died in 534. The reigns
B 2 of his immediate successors are only remarkable for the bloody wars carried on between the Franks and the Saxons. The later Merovingian kings proved themselves to be a degenerate race; they led, for the most part, secluded lives of effeminacy and debauchery, and abandoned the duties of government to the mayors of the palace, who abusing their authority, shortly succeeded in placing themselves on the throne.
The last Merovingian king was Childeric III., who was deposed in 750, by Pepin, his mayor of the palace, who, after confining him in the abbey of St. Berten, assumed the reins of government, and founded the Carlovingian dynasty. By this time the political constitution of most of the German nations had made a considerable advance towards its modern state. The government of the Franks was monarchical, and the succession hereditary ; the king made war or concluded peace without consulting the states ; and new laws were issued at an assembly of the people, not so much that they might receive the consent of the latter, as in order that they might be solemnly established. The states were divided into two classes : the first was composed of bishops, abbots, dukes, and counts, who had a deliberative voice in all the assemblies ; the second was composed of magistrates and inferior officers, whose only duty was to receive the orders of the other. Measures were proposed by the king through his referendary ; the states of the first class deliberated on, and the sovereign decided respecting them ; in the form of laws they were then communicated to the states of the second class, who were enjoined to execute them. The dukes were merely governors of provinces, who received orders from the sovereign; instead of a salary, they had a certain domain assigned them, from which they drew their revenues; for instance, the town of Wurzburg and its dependencies were the domain of the dukes of Franconia, and at a subsequent period, the circle of Wurtemberg was that of the dukes of Saxony. The counts, subordinate to the dukes, administered justice in districts which were called pagi or gauen — hence the names of provinces, Breisgau, Argau, Rheingau, &c. Royal commissaries — missi dominici — travelled through the duchies at stated times, to watch over the impartial administration of justice, a duty which was also assigned to the bishops. Final appeals were made to the count palatine, who was also the judge of the court. Neither duke nor count was an hereditary title ; but the sovereign very generally conferred the dignity on the sons or brothers of those who had previously been invested with it. Though the office of a count was purely civil, he commanded the troops of his district in time of war ; he was called a margrave when the defence of a border territory was entrusted to him. After the counts, came the noble signers or barons, who owned the greatest part of the territory either as fiefs, or allodial estates. The last order was that of the ordinary nobles, who composed the force of the armies, and whose military services were repaid by small fiefs, which were only granted for life, and on condition that the vassal should take up arms on the demand of the prince. The rest of the nation was composed of artisans and of serfs : the latter had been reduced to a state of servitude by the fortune of war, or had entered it voluntarily, for a certain annual retribution.
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You’ve reached the end of Germany : the spirit of her history, literature, social condition, and national economy, illustrated by reference to her physical, moral, and political statistics, and by comparison with other countries.