CHAP. CXXVI.-EUROPE continued. ABOUT GERMANY. 1. GERMANY lies to the east of France, and contains no less than thirty-six different kingdoms and states, besides Austria and Prussia, which are sometimes considered as making a part of Germany, and of which I shall tell you by-and-by. These thirty-six states and kingdoms contain about seventeen millions of inhabitants. 2. Some of the principal kingdoms of Germany are Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Hanover, and Saxony. They are nearly all governed by a king, or grand duke, or prince of some kind; yet they are leagued together under a sort of congress, called a diet, which meets at Frankfort. To this diet the states send deputies. 3. There are a great many large towns and cities in Germany. Among these, the principal are Hamburgh, which carries on a good deal of commerce with this country; Munich, which is a very splendid city; Carlesruhe, which has its streets arranged like the sticks of an open fan; Dresden, which is famous for the beautiful country around it; and Frankfort, which is encircled by a belt of fine gardens and public walks. 4. I could easily write a book about Germany, for it is full of curious and interesting things. In the cities, there are a great many churches in the Gothic style, which excite the wonder and admiration of a traveller, on account of their grandeur, and the skill with which many parts of them are carved. 5. In many of the towns there are very curious manufactures, particularly of musical boxes, toys for children, and clocks of all kinds. The Germans are very ingenious in these matters, and sometimes they make clocks so cunningly contrived, that at every hour a little bird will come out, flutter his wings, and sing a song, or perhaps tell you the time of day. 6. If you ever travel in Germany, you will find that the people are very fond of music. All the boys and girls are taught music as a part of their education. Most of them can play upon some instrument. The flute is a great favourite, and is called the German flute, either because it was invented in Germany, or because it is more in use amongst the Germans than elsewhere. 7. In passing through Germany, you will often notice the ruins of castles, some of which were built a thousand, or twelve hundred years ago. These belonged to the barons who occupied the country in the old feudal times, of which I have told you in the history of France. QUESTIONS.-1. Where is Germany, and what does it contain ? Population of the thirty-six states and kingdoms? 2. What are some of the principal kingdoms of Germany? How are they governed? How are they united? Where does the diet meet? What do the states send to this diet? 3. Describe some of the principal cities of Germany. 4. What of churches? 5. What are some of the manufactures? 6. What of music? The flute? 7. What of old castles " CHAP. CXXVII.-EUROPE continued. ABOUT THE ANCIENT TRIBES OF GERMANY, CHARLEMAGNE, ETC. 1. In ancient days, Germany, as I have told you, was inhabited by numerous tribes of barbarians. Among these were the Goths, Visigoths, Vandals, Suevi, Cimbri, Teutones, Heruli, Alemanni, and many others. As there was no Peter Parley among them to write their history in early times, we know little or nothing of them till two or three hundred years before Christ. 2. At this time they were numerous, but they were mere savages. They were clothed in the skins of wild beasts, and seemed to delight only in war and plunder. In the time of Cæsar they were very powerful, but that famous conqueror marched against them, and after many bloody battles, they were reduced to submission. 3. I have already told you, that wherever the Romans extended their arms, they carried their arts. Thus the rude tribes of Germany became partially civilized; many of the people exchanged their skins of beasts for the Roman toga, or gown. They also learnt how to make better weapons of war, how to build better houses, and how to live more comfortably. 4. But you will remember that four or five hundred years after Cæsar, poor old Rome was tottering to decay. It was therefore unable to keep these restless tribes of the north in subjection; nay, Rome was now incapable even of defending herself. 5. The Germans soon discovered how matters stood. They saw that in Spain, Italy, and Greece, there were a great many rich cities, and pleasant towns, and fruitful valleys. They saw that in these countries the Romans had collected the wealth of the whole world, and these shrewd barbarians thought it would be a good speculation to go to these countries and live there. 6. They thought it would be much better to go and live in palaces and fine houses, and have plenty of wine, and plenty of gold, silver, and jewels, than to live in their own less fruitful country, and earn their bread by toil, or by plundering each other. 7. Accordingly, some of them set out under their daring leaders, and marched into Italy. Others soon followed, and, in the course of a few years, these hordes had settled, like swarms of bees, in all the southern countries of Europe. 8. But still many remained behind in Germany, and thus increased, so that in the time of Charlemagne they were numerous and powerful. But he conquered them, as I have said in the history of France. Thus, having made himself master of Germany, he became its emperor, and resided there. You will recollect that his empire included France, Germany, and other countries. 9. The empire of Germany, thus established, was, however, composed of many separate sovereignties, each of which had its own ruler. In the year 912, it became the custom for these rulers, to make choice of one of their number, and declare him emperor. He then presided over the whole of Germany. Thus Germany was what is called an elective monarchy, and so it continued, even so late as the year 1806. 10. In 1056, Henry the Fourth was emperor. He had a sharp quarrel with Pope Gregory the Seventh. The pope's power was so great, that he compelled the emperor to come to Italy to ask his pardon. 11. When Henry arrived at the gate of the pope's palace, the weather was exceedingly cold, and there was snow on the ground. Pope Gregory was sitting by a comfortable fire. He sent the emperor word that he would have nothing to say to him, till he had stood three whole days barefooted in the snow, without tasting a mouthful of food. 12. This penance the poor emperor was compelled to undergo. On the fourth day, Pope Gregory gave him absolution for his sins, and allowed him to warm himself and eat his dinner. 13. Another emperor, also named Henry, who reigned about a hundred years afterwards, quarrelled with Pope Celestinus. In order to make peace, he was persuaded to kneel down and kiss the pope's toe. But no sooner had his lips touched the toe, than Pope Celestinus drew back his foot, and hit the emperor's crown a kick, which sent it half way across the room. This anecdote will give you some |