Object of the lecture-General character of the literature of the middle ages-Of the transition from pagan philosophy to Christian theology-- Of the question of the nature of the soul in the Christian church-The ancient priests for the most part pronounced in favour of the system of materialism-Efforts to escape from it-Analogous march of ideas in pagan philosophy-Commencement of the system of spirituality-Saint Augustin, Nemesius, Mamertius Claudienus-Faustus, bishop of Riez- His arguments for the materiality of the soul-Mamertius Claudienus answers him-Importance of Mamertius Claudienus in Gaul-Analysis of, and quotations from his treatise on the nature of the soul-The dialogue of Evagrius between Zacheus the Christian and Apollonius the philosopher-Of the effects of the invasion of the barbarians upon the SEVENTH LECTURE. Object of the lecture Of the Germanic element in modern civilization- Of the monuments of the ancient social state of the Germans: 1. Or the Roman and Greek historians; 2. Of the barbaric laws; 3. Of na- tional traditions-They relate to very different epochs-They are often made use of promiscuously-Error which results therefrom-The work of Tacitus concerning the manners of the Germans-Opinions of the modern German writers concerning the ancient Germanic state-What kind of life prevailed there, was it the wandering life, or the sedentary Life?-Of the institutions-Of the moral state-Comparison between the state of the German tribes and that of other hordes-Fallacy of most of the views of barbarous life—Principal characteristics of the true in- Object of the lecture-Description of the state of Gaul in the last half of the sixth century-True character of the German invasions-Cause of errors on this subject-Dissolution of Roman society: 1. In rural districts; 2. In towns, though in a lesser degree-Dissolution of Ger- man society: 1. Of the colony or tribe; 2. Of the warfaring band- Elements of the new social state: 1. Of commencing royalty, 2. Of commencing feudalism; 3. Of the church after the invasion-Summary NINTII LECTURE. and exposition of the Salic law Prefaces attached to the manuscripts-Value of national traditions concerning the origin and com pilation of the Salic law-Concerning its tendencies-It is essentially a penal code-1st. Of the enumeration and definition of offences in thy Salie law; 2nd. Of penalties; 3rd. Of criminal procedure-Transitore character of their legislation. TENTH LECTURE. F451 Object of the lecture-Is the transitory character of the Salic law found in the laws of the Ripuarians, the Burgundians, and the Visigoths ?-1st, The law of the Ripuarians-The Ripuarian Franks-History of the compilation of their law-Its contents-Difference between it and the Salic law-2nd, The law of the Burgundians-History of its compilation --Its contents—Its distinctive character-3rd, The law of the Visigoths --It concerns the history of Spain more than that of France-Its general character-Effect of Roman civilization upon the barbarians. p. 472 HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION IN EUROPE. LECTURE THE FIRST. Object of the course - History of European civilization-Part taken by France in the civilization of Europe-Civilization a fit subject for narrative-It is the most general fact in history-The ordinary and popular meaning of the word civilization-Two leading facts constitute civilization: 1. The development of society; 2. The development of the individual-Demonstration-These two facts are necessarily connected the one with the other, and, sooner or later, produce the one the other-Is the destiny of man limited wholly within his actual social condition?— The history of civilization may be exhibited and considered under two points of view-Remarks on the plan of the course-The present state of men's minds, and the prospects of civilization. GENTLEMEN, I AM deeply affected by the reception you give me, and which, you will permit me to say, I accept as a pledge of the sympathy which has not ceased to exist between us, notwithstanding so long a separation-Alas! I speak as though you, whom I see around me, were the same who, seven years ago, used to assemble within these walls, to participate in my then labours; because I myself am here again, it seems as if all my former hearers should be here also; whereas, since that period, a change, a mighty change, has come over all things. Seven years ago we repaired hither depressed with anxious doubts and fears, weighed down with sad thoughts and anticipations; we saw ourselves surrounded with difficulty and danger; we felt ourselves dragged on towards an evil which we essayed to B avert by calm, grave, cautious reserve, but in vain. Now, we meet together, full of confidence and hope, the heart at peace, thought free. There is but one way in which we can worthily manifest our gratitude for this happy change; it is by bringing to our present meetings, our new studies, the same calm trauquillity of mind, the same firm purpose, which guided our conduct when, seven years ago, we looked, from day to day, to have our studies placed under rigorous supervision, or, indeed, to be arbitrarily suspended. Good fortune is delicate, frail, uncertain; we must keep measures with hope as with fear; convalescence requires well nigh the same care, the same caution, as the approaches of illness. This care, this caution, this moderation, I am sure you will exhibit. The same sympathy, the same intimate conformity of opinions, of sentiments, of ideas, which united us in times of difficulty and danger, and which at least saved us from grave faults, will equally unite us in more auspicious days, and enable us to gather all their fruits. I rely with confidence upon your cooperation, and I need nothing more. The time between this our first meeting and the close of the year is very limited; that which I myself have had, wherein to meditate upon the Lectures I am about to deliver, has been infinitely more limited still. One great point, therefore, was the selection of a subject, the consideration of which might best be brought within the bounds of the few months which remain to us of this year, within that of the few days I have had for preparation; and it appeared to me, that a general review of the modern history of Europe, considered with reference to the development of civilization—a general sketch, in fact, of the history of European civilization, of its origin, its progress, its aim, its character, might suitably occupy the time at our disposal. This, accordingly, is the subject of which I propose to treat. I have used the term European civilization, because it is evident that there is an European civilization; that a certain unity pervades the civilization of the various European states; that, notwithstanding infinite diversities of time, place, and circumstance, this civilization takes its first rise in facts almost wholly similar, proceeds everywhere upon the same principles, and tends to produce well nigh everywhere analo gous results. There is, then, an European civilization, and it is to the subject of this aggregate civilization that I will request your attention. Again, it is evident that this civilization cannot be traced back, that its history cannot be derived from the history of any single European state. If, on the one hand, it is manifestly characterized by brevity, on the other, its variety is no less prodigious; it has not developed itself with completeness, in any one particular country. The features of its physiognomy are wide-spread; we must seek the elements of its history, now in France, now in England, now in Germany, now in Spain. We of France occupy a favourable position for pursuing the study of European civilization. Flattery of individuals, even of our country, should be at all times avoided: it is without vanity, I think, we may say that France has been the centre, the focus of European civilization. I do not pretend, it were monstrous to do so, that she has always, and in every direction, marched at the head of nations. At different epochs, Italy has taken the lead of her, in the arts; England, in political institutions; and there may be other respects under which, at particular periods, other European nations have manifested a superiority to her; but it is impossible to deny, that whenever France has seen herself thus outstripped in the career of civilization, she has called up fresh vigour, has sprung forward with a new impulse, and has soon found herself abreast with, or in advance of, all the rest. And not only has this been the peculiar fortune of France, but wo have seen that when the civilizing ideas and institutions which have taken their rise in other lands, have sought to extend their sphere, to become fertile and general, to operate for the common benefit of European civilization, they have been necessitated to undergo, to a certain extent, a new preparation in France; and it has been from France, as from a second native country, that they have gone forth to the conquest of Europe. There is scarcely any great idea, any great principle of civilization, which, prior to its diffusion, has not passed in this way through France. And for this reason: there is in the French character something sociable, something sympathetic, something which makes its way with greater facility and effect than does the national genius of any other people; whether from our language, |