15 as preached by the Ilible, but considered that the blame for each misdeed reverted to the whole society. It'needed all the influence of the Byzantine Church, which imported into the West tlrn refined· cruelties of Eastern despotism, to introduce into the manners of Gauls and Germans the penalty of death, and the horrible tortures afterwards inflicted on those regarded as criminals. Just in the same way, it needed all the influence of the Ro'man code, the product of the corruption of Imperial Rome, to introduce the notions as to absolute property in land, which have overthrown the communistic customs of primitive people. As we know, the free townships were not able to hold their own. Torn by intestine dissensions between rich and poor, burgher and serf, they fell an easy prey to royalty. And as royalty a-cquired fresh strength, the right of legislation passed more and mo.i·e into the hands of a clique of courtiers. Appeal to the nation was made only to sanction the taxes dema.nded by the King. Parliament summoned at intervals of two centuries, according to the good plea.sure or caprice of t.he Court, "Councils Extraordinary," Assemblies of Notables, Minist~rs, scar~ ·heeding the" grievances of the King's.subjects "-these are the legislators of France. Later still, when all power is concentrated in-a single man, who can say "I am the State," edicts are concocted in the "secret couuseJ.s of the Prince," according to the whim of a. minister, or of an imbecile King; and subjects must obey on pa.in of death: All judicial guarantees are abolished; the nation is the serf of royalty, aud of a handful of courtiers.· And at' this period th:a most horrible ·penalt-ies startle our gaz:a-the wheel, the sta.ke, flaying alive, tortures of every description, invented by the sick fancy of monks and madmen, seeking delight. in the su~erings of executed criminals. The grea.t Revolution began the demolition of this framework of law, bequeathed to us by feudalism and royalty. :But after having demolished some portions of the a.ncient e9ifice, the Revolution delivered over the power of law-makiug to the bourgeoisie, who, in their turn, began to raise a fresh framework of laws· intended to maintain and perpetuate middle-class do1nination amongst the masses. Their Parliament makes -law1:1 right .BibJfoteca'Gino Bianco
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTExMDY2NQ==