magne, Traduction de l'Allemand du Professeur Hegewisch, he will doubtless conclude that I have perused every thing relative to my subject.

With such copious and valuable sources of information as are to be derived from the foregoing guides, since many of them point out the original monuments of the reign of Charlemagne, it would indeed have proved an easy, though a tedious task, to swell the size of this book. But the chief or rather sole object of my researches has • been to reflect some light upon the legislative character or acts of Charlemagne, the least known, though the most loudly extolled. I have left it therefore to others to plunge into the details of his military history, which in my estimation furnish neither instruction or entertainment. A plan circumscribed within such narrow limits will, however, exempt me from the charge of prolixity, a fault in the judgment of some critics not to be atoned for, without many striking beauties both of style and sentiment.

Nothing more remains for me but to express a wish that this performance may experience the same favorable indulgence from the public which it has shewn to my other writings; as then I shall be entitled to look back on the hours passed in the composition of these pages, with an equal mixture of pride and pleasure.

THE

REIGN OF

CHARLEMAGNE, &c.

CHAP. I.

His birth, marriage, and conquest of Lombardy.His assumption of the title of king of France and of Lombardy.-His journey to Rome.-His oppres sion and conversion of the Saxons.-His incontinence, family, and alliance with the Caliph Harun al Rashid.-His greatness and ambition.His coronation as emperor of the West, and of Rome. His testaments and death. P. 178.

1

FROM the middle of the eighth to the commencement of the ninth century, Charlemagne gave laws to France, Germany, and Italy,

and Italy. But this vast empire was soon broken into many fragments,

B

when no longer directed and supported by his genius. The patient investigation of a reign at once so long, various and splendid, although entangled in much confusion and contradiction, from the traditions or rather tales with which it is so profusely embellished, may enable us to exhibit some transactions in it, the effects of which will perhaps be viewed with an eye of interest even at this distant period.

Charles Martel and Pepin, the grandfather and father of Charlemagne, had greatly signalized their arms against the Saracens; yet in the extent, certainly in the magnitude of his conquests, he surpassed them both; and as a legislator and promoter of learning, he so far towers above them, that there can be established no comparison. In the opinion of some, the darkness and ignorance of the times in which Charlemagne appeared, tend rather to brighten than to obscure his glory. Yet however he may be indebted to that circumstance for an increase of fame, poste

rity must still acknowledge his pretensions to the title of great, unquestionable*.

Carlstat in Franconia, Liege, Aix, equally claim the honor of his birth, and according to other traditions, he drew his first breath in the castle of Ingelheim near Mayence. The annalists of the times labour to conceal the poverty of his edu cation, by long and exaggerated descriptions of the beauty of his person, his lofty stature, majestic air, gracious manners, and bodily accomplishments. accomplishments. For it will

The question whether Charlemagne could commit his thoughts to paper has been copiously and ably, though perhaps too warmly discussed by many learned moderns. For my own part, however unfounded I may think the assertion of Cave to be, tam doctum principem scribere nescivisse, historia litteraria, nevertheless I can discern that the opinions of l'Abbé le Beuf, M. Gaillard, and other French writers, respecting his having acquired the practice of writing, are maintained at the expence of historical evidence. Since the words of Eginhard are de çisive upon this subject. Tentabat et scribere, tabulasque et codicillos ad hoc in lecticulo sub cervicalibus circumferre solebat, ut, cum vacuum tempus esset, manum effigiandis litteris assuefaceret. Sed parum prospere suç cessit labor præposterus ac sero inchoatus. De Vitâ et Gestis Caroli Magni ed. a J. H. Schmenkio, Traj, ad Rhe, 1711, 4to. Cap. XXV.