Lecture VIII.—Page [76]
The forms of a government are related to its principle, but are swayed by circumstances, and vary according to different degrees of civilization.
What are the forms essential to a representative government?
1st. Division of powers; why absolutely essential to the principle of representative government;
2nd. Election;
3rd. Publicity.
Lecture IX.—Page [82]
Primitive institutions of the Franks.
Sketch of the history of the Frankish monarchy.
The Franks in Germany.
Their settlement in Belgium and in Gaul.
Character and authority of their chiefs after their establishment in the Roman Empire.
Early Frankish chieftains.
Clovis: his expeditions, wars, and conquests.
Decisive preponderance of the Franks in Gaul.
Lecture X.—Page [86]
Division of territory among the sons of the Frankish kings.
Rapid formation and disappearance of several Frank kingdoms.
Neustria and Austrasia; their geographical division.
Early predominance of Neustria.
Fredegonde and Brunehaut.
Elevation of the Mayors of the Palace.
True character of their power.
The Pepin family.
Charles Martel.
Fall of the Merovingians.
Lecture XI—Page [94]
General character of events under the Carlovingian Empire.
Reign of Pepin the Short.
Reign of Charlemagne.
Epoch of transition.
Reigns of Louis the Débonnair and Charles the Bald.
Norman invasions.
The last Carlovingians.
Accession of Hugh Capet.