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1 Originally ye. European Governments, were compos'd but of a few peope, & tho' we read of many Ks. in Italy, Germany & c. yet they contain such small extent of ground, & so few subjects, yt. they resemble more ye Highland Clans than Monarchies. These all fall a prey to ye. Roman Eagles, & by yt means swell'd yt Emp-e. to so vast a magnitude, yt. it contain'd almost all ye. nations of ye. known World; but vice kept equal pace with its grandure, yt. inabl'd Casar to become what Catiline in vain attempted) ye. Tyrant of his Country.
In this almost universal conquest of ye World, Germany (deletion unclear /deletion addition under /addition which ^ addition name /addition by antient Authors most of ye. Northern nations are included) retain'd its Liberty; it was divided into many petty states; whereof but two were absolute monarchies, ye. rest were govern'd by Ps. ye Latin name for which Princep, down to Vespasian's time, convey'd no idea of Power, but like ye Princeps Senatus, ye President of ye Senate, these had perhaps ye disposal of trifles, but things of consequence were decided by ye. voice of ye. people.
ye. Dominions of Each People, were generally divided into parcels, call'd Cantons, from which our Word Counties come, these were under ye. inspection of ye. P. with ye. assistance of 100. men chosen for yt. purpose; Particular portion of land were generally assign'd to each tribe or family for a year & no longer by ye. P. these they gave their slaves to cultivate; reserving to themselves a part of ye. produce.
These cantons during Peace had not superior, but in War they chose a Capt. who had power of life & death, & who drew out form ye. inhabitants a certain number to attend him according to their Ranks & Tribes.
In this State of Liberty, ye. Northern Nations increas'd immensely in number, while Tyranny, Vice & Corruption thin'd ye. Roman Emp-e; ye. little Territories of these Ps. were not sufficient to maintain these numbers; this forc'd them to frequent migrations, where besides catchword ye. /catchword
