10. Or he would tell of some chief who had performed wonderful deeds, or perhaps he would weave some superstitious tale of ghosts that walked abroad by moonlight, or of some murdered prince whose spirit often came at night to hunt the castle where he once dwelt.

11. Such were some of the amusements which repaid these barbarians for the toils of war. But these were by no means all. The real object of most of the wars among these people was plunder. War took the place of trade and commerce among them, and the principal inducement to carry it on was to obtain the lands and the goods of other nations. It was, in short, a system of plunder, and the several tribes might be considered as so many bands of robbers.

12. When a country was conquered, the spoils were distributed among the victors, according to their rank. The king, or chief, had a large share, the inferior chiefs had a smaller share, and the common soldiers had still less. The lands were divided in this way, but it was always understood that those who received the land were afterwards bound to go and fight whenever called upon by their chiefs.

13. The lands were not held in those times as they are now among us; each individual did not own a piece of land, and build upon it, or cultivate it as he liked. But a large tract would belong to the king, and a smaller tract would belong to the inferior chiefs or barons.

14. The king, or baron built upon his land an immense

strong castle of stone; around it, the people, who were called his vassals, or slaves, built their little huts. These tilled the land, taking what was necessary for their own support, but giving the best of everything to their liege lord.

15. Now, what is meant by the Feudal System is this; that the vassals of a baron who lived upon his land were bound to do military service whenever the baron required it. So also the barons, under the feudal system, were required to do military service, bringing into the field all the men they could muster, whenever their king required it.

16. In return for these services the lord of the manor, or owner of the land, was expected to protect his people in time of war; and as the castle was usually large and strong, the people fled to it whenever an enemy appeared in sight.

17. Here in the castle they would make the best defence in their power. Sometimes they would be besieged for months; but, so long as the wines lasted, and the stores of provisions held out, the besieged inmates of the castle would hold their revels, tell their stories, and sing their songs.

QUESTIONS.-1. What must not be forgotten? 2. Why must the history of the people not be neglected? 3. What of the northern tribes of Europe? What of the men? 5. What was the great business of society in these times? What of the chiefs? 6. What of a conquered country? The people? 7. How were war and robbery considered? The soldiers? The survivors? 8. What was done in the intervals of fighting? 9. What of story-telling? 11. What was the real object of war among these ancient nations? What of war? How might the tribes be considered?

12. What of the division of spoils? What of lands? 13. How were the lands held in these times? 14. What of a king or baron? The people, or vassals? 15. What was the feudal system? What were the vassals and barons required to do? 16. What was expected of the lord of the manor? 17. What of a besieged castle?

CHAP. CXVI.-EUROPE continued.

ABOUT CHIVALRY, OR KNIGHT-ERRANTRY.

1. I HOPE you now understand how matters and things went on among the rude tribes of France, Germany, and most other northern countries of Europe, in early times. I hope also you understand what is meant by the feudal system.

2. If you will reflect a moment, you will perceive that Europe at this time was divided among a great number of warlike tribes, or nations, each tribe having a king, each king having under him several powerful barons, and each baron having a good many vassals.

3. You will remember that the kings and barons dwelt in strong stone castles; and in every part of Europe you will see many of these still in existence, some of which were built more than a thousand years ago. Most of them are in ruins, but they are interesting on account of the tales and legends of the olden times which are connected with them.

4. It is not certain when the feudal system commenced, but it appears to have been first in use among the German tribes, and was introduced into France by the Franks, who

entered that country A.D. 420, and who laid the foundation of the French monarchy, about four hundred and eightysix years after Christ. It continued in full force in the time of Charlemagne, and, for some centuries after, it formed the basis of all the political systems of Europe.

5. Now I must tell you that, among the rough kings and barons of the feudal times, it often happened that private acts of violence and injustice took place. Sometimes a powerful baron would come suddenly upon a weaker one, seize his castle, and either murder him, or shut him up in a dungeon. Sometimes one of these barons would carry off the beautiful daughter of another king, or baron, and take her home to his castle.

6. Even in these rude times, such things were considered wrong, and sometimes a brave warrior, called a knight, would take it upon himself to redress these grievances. He would perhaps go and challenge the baron who had been guilty of injustice, to come out and fight him, or in some other way would endeavour to repair the injury done:

7. The people applauded these knights, and cheered them on to acts of daring, in the cause of justice and benevolence. Thus, by degrees, their numbers increased, and, about the time of the crusades, there appears to have been a good many of them.

8. The crusades themselves seemed to establish knighterrantry as a regular profession, and, from the period of 1100

after Christ, we may consider it as one of the most remarkable institutions in Europe.

9. When knight-errantry, or chivalry, had become thus established, those who belonged to the profession were considered as under a religious vow to devote themselves to the cause of justice and humanity. If any person had suffered an act of injustice, they considered themselves bound to set the matter right; if any person was in distress, they were under obligation to peril their lives for his relief.

10. Besides this, the knights were required always to tell the truth, and always to perform their promises; they were expected to be full of generosity and courage, and never to be guilty of any act of meanness. They were, in short, expected to devote themselves to the cause of humanity, and remedy, as far as in their power, the injustice and violence which belonged to the age in which they lived.

11. Many of these knights spent their whole time in riding about the country in search of adventures. These were called knights-errant. If, in the course of their travels, they heard of any body in distress, they would offer their services for relief.

12. They were particularly devoted to the cause of ladies who had been stolen away, and shut up in castles. In behalf of these, they often performed wonderful feats of strength and valour. Sometimes, it is true, the knights acted wickedly, but in so doing they violated their vows.