For as I more attentively enquired into the Source of these Calamities, it seemed to me, that even as human Bodies decay and perish, either by some outward Violence, or some inward Corruption of Humours, or lastly, thro’ Old Age:  So Commonwealths are brought to their Period, sometimes by Foreign Force, sometimes by Civil Dissentions, at other Times by being worn out and neglected.  Now tho’ the Misfortunes that have befallen our Commonwealth are commonly attributed to our Civil Dissentions, I found, upon Enquiry, these are not so properly to be called the Cause as the Beginning of our Mischiefs.  And Polybius, that grave judicious Historian, teaches us, in the first place, to distinguish the Beginning from the Cause of any Accident.  Now I affirm the Cause to have been that great Blow which our Constitution received about 100 Years ago from that [Footnote:  Lewis the XI.] Prince, who (’tis manifest) first of all broke in upon the noble and solid Institutions of our Ancestors.  And as our natural Bodies when put out of joint by Violence, can never be recover’d but by replacing and restoring every Member to its true Position; so neither can we reasonably hope our Commonwealth shou’d be restor’d to Health, till through Divine Assistance it shall be put into its true and natural State again.

And because your Highness has always approv’d your self a true Friend to our Country; I though it my Duty to inscribe, or, as it were, to consecrate this Abstract of our History to your Patronage.  That being guarded by so powerful a Protection, it might with greater Authority and Safety come abroad in the World.  Farewel, most illustrious Prince; May the great God Almighty for ever bless and prosper your most noble Family.

Your Highness’s most Obedient,

Francis Hotoman.

12 Kal.  Sep. 1574.

* * * * *

Francogallia.

* * * * *

CHAP.  I.

    The State of Gaul, before it was reduced into a
    Province by the Romans.

My Design being to give an Account of the Laws and Ordinances of our Francogallia, as far as it may tend to the Service of our Commonwealth, in its present Circumstances; I think it proper, in the first place, to set forth the State of Gaul, before it was reduced into the Form of a Province by the Romans:  For what Caesar, Polybius, Strabo, Ammianus, and other Writers have told us concerning the Origin, Antiquity and Valour of that People, the Nature and Situation of their Country, and their private Customs, is sufficiently known to all Men, tho’ but indifferently learned.