The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-27
Lectures sa ths Histsry or Modern Usva-
I1xAt1Ons


Lectures - ths M.st:ry or Modern DIV
| ny @. r. x. JAMKs.-LEcTURx III.
IRON the Boston journal, Sept. "a
Mr.. James delivered his third lecture last ewes
ing, a. the Masonic Temple. He remarked thai
=. .ne conclusion of his lecture, he had given
neIai aea Of the progress of civilization, down 4
tne period OF the ninth century, in England, France
inc ,s,ts, Incomplete, il is true, a. regard.
In obscurity. Time did not suffice for him 10 ente,
INTO the details OF the civilization of Italy. Switzex.
land. or the remote portions of Germany He
sPohe sovlseoIy IN hs reference to the remote q
northern regions of Germany-the more southern
provinces, or those bordering upon the Rhine. be-
longing, as II were, 10 France, or, at least par-
taking, TO certain extent, of the civilization OF
| that country. In the north OF Germany, at the pc
| Rod Of the ninth century, barbarian reigned su-
| prone. Italy retained portion Of the social and
individual civilization bequeathed to her by Rome,
and Switzerland possessed kind of civilization.
| perhaps peculiar 10 herself There was no time
even 10 trace the progress of England and France,
in the ages succeeding the ninth century.
Two great and important facts were to be
learned from the civilization of the period under
view-facts which have had bearing upon the in
teres,s of the world, and which have even a d.
rect relation to the people of the present day The
hrst is that in France feudasm had its origin and
It's most perfect development. The second, that in
had its origin and full growth. These two facts
should ever be borne in mind, as feudalism has
kept up constant conflict with the Anglo SaxOa
or popular system.
tablishmeIt of the feudal system. Although this
system proved evanescent in its character and al
most all traces OF have passed away in the ear
Her times il was by far the most popular of the two
systems. As before remarkably spread and was
conhrmedin France; II extended Is true, TO other
countries, but never acquired fixed character in
hem but pre- vailed to greater orless Extent
ding 10 the materials upon which il had TO operate.
| Wa a nerf "a ~
Anglo-Saxon system there always ruled superior
10 Twas in continual conflict with IT,. William,
the Norman conqueror, though he could conquer
the people, and subvert their rights, could never
subdue this indomitable Saxon spirit And even
within a few centuries, the Norman system was
overthrown by the Saxon system.
Two centuries after the conquest, the Anglo
Saxon language was predominant, and in three
centuries the Norman language was banished from
the courts of law. William strove TO introduce the
Norman laws, but in this effort he was never en-
trey successful. In the organization OF the cities,
and in the representation introduced, William was
constrained TO admit the operation Of the Anglo
Saxon principle. In levying the taxes Of the pc
Rod, all who possessed even a knights fee were
summoned TO the great councils of the nation
This was the or gin of the English Parliament.
Now, what was feudalsmi M. Guizot men
tons the subject in his lectures upon civilization.
but takes especial care not TO tell what feadalsm
is. According TO MIR. James, it Is system by
which the whole lands of country are divided or
allotted certain class of men, residents of that
country, (the conquerors In most cases,) on cond-
ton that csrtan military services should be rem
dersd to the person supposed to confer the lands
upon them. The right OF the supposed person 10
portion out the soil, generally, was not closely
called in question: though Il, in general rose from
the right OF conquest.
The lands were allotted by the monarch to the
leaders, and again by them to their followers
hence arose the system Of Standardization, each
individual owing service 10 his superior. Such a
system was never calculated to last long There
were uncertainties attached TO il, such as TO the
amount of the service TO be rendered there were
also many incongruiiies connected with it-as fsr
txemple, when certain lands were held by parties
owing no service TO any superior lord. There were
extensive tracts Of country in France down to the
thirteenth and fourteenth Centuries, which were
held entirely free of all dependence But feudalism
brought every thing under its iron rule, even the
church ITSELF which, however, was feudal only IN
bond, but not in spirit. The cities became the
feudatories of the great lords, submitting TO them
for protecuon-suoh protection as such lords could
afford. A man could not even build mill or u
pigeon house, except by feudal authority. The
game Of the forests and the tsh OF the waters were
all held or hunted under feudal rgbts--the fees ct
baptism, marriage, and funerals, were all feudal
but the system thanks TO kind Providence, con-
tanned the seeds Of its own decay.
The monarch held certain rights superior to his
vasssl; but the yassa had the right, 30 long as he
faithfully performed the required service, to de-
| mand the protection OF the monarch This proec-
ton was not always granted either from Inability
or indspos''ion on The Part OF the lord in'en,e,:
L
cases. was not prepared 10 contend against HE re-
bellious ysssal-rarely, If ever competent 70 DE-
| tend himself against union ct bis bold bsrons
| Then The monarch appealed 10 the many against
the few and urged the retainers rise against the
| tyranny Of their superior lords, promising them
protection IN case they would assist hun In his coz
tests with his rebellious MOBILES. Philip Augustus
most successfully practised this methed, and first
called into being the free communes OF France.
He also wrung charters from bis mobiles. to protect
the rights OF the cities.
AF.S ND f.trfnr nj he LAS
del baron, and asked his audience 10 determine
whether this state was 10 be deemed condition OF
civilization, judging by the rules laid down in the
first lecture.
lie then showed how, after the barbarians had
CONQUERED Rome, the lands were por,ioned out
among the leaders. Castles were built by them,
and they were surrounded By retaners and serfs.
living life OF isolation, and practising the most
outrageous cruelty upon all who tell beneath their
power. lie visited court but once or twice year,
and never voluntarily, for the visit was attended
with dar Rer-not unffequently with loss OF life.
The baron had no bond Of Communication with
any other man, except the hard link which bound
him 10 bis superior. Such condition OF things
did not tend TO civilization; II rather tended 10
sink deeper both lords and retainers, IN state oil
bafharisin a comparison Of this ~ stem with the
Anglo Saxon system, clearly shows why one has
proved permanent, and the other has passed away.
Such was tho SA~e, 90 social CIVILIZATION; ana It's
effect on individual civilization was hardly less
disastrous Ary and scIenccswere neglected, and
life was held by the nsost uncertain tenure.
But TO alleviate the evils arising out OF feudai-
| isIn, theft spT.ng up ohiyalry-knighterfan "
MIGHT with Truth be- callrd-whch was knovn 70
/ b. IN active exercise, even down Hs late ~ me
thirteenth century. IL was "a the re,gn ~ WIZ
liam Rufus that chivalry had its origin, Us sfiru
being that q Chns;isn Philanthropy, tn mrs, Vows
/ a the knights being Of the most soemn chsracef
/ Blu, the military vanip soon superseded inc ren-
| Rious enthusiasm. a.,
/ Mr.. James said he had purposed TO speak in
detail ofthe rise cad progress Of the Crusadee, ou,
he should he obliged TO content himself With only
general summary Of the sane. and cs ths fesui~
causes which operated TO bring about the Crusades,
] such as the migratory movements OF the north
men, At the end OF the 10th century, which more OF
less affected all Europe the general belief that the
4 world was 70 come 10 al erd about that Tine. q
I doctrine preached from the pulptt, and taught BY
\ the Astronomers The most active cause was,
perhape, the horrible tales circulated in Europe Of
! he xnfefinrn Of the pirrirnn 20 the Holy Land