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llowance。 He was wonderfully exact in his expenses； administering his demesnes with prudence； attention； and economy。 A father might learn from his laws how to govern his family； and we find in his capitularies the pure and sacred source whence he derived his riches。＇133＇ I shall add only one word more： he gave orders that the eggs in the bartons on his demesnes； and the superfluous garden…stuff； should be sold；＇134＇ he distributed among his people all the riches of the Lombards； and the immense treasures of those Huns that had plundered the whole world。
19。 The same Subject continued。 Charlemagne and his immediate successors were afraid lest those whom they placed in distant parts should be inclined to revolt； and thought they should find more docility among the clergy。 For this reason they erected a great number of bishoprics in Germany and endowed them with very large fiefs。＇135＇ It appears by some charters that the clauses containing the prerogatives of those fiefs were not different from such as were commonly inserted in those grants；＇136＇ though at present we find the principal ecclesiastics of Germany invested with a sovereign power。 Be that as it may； these were some of the contrivances they used against the Saxons。 That which they could not expect from the indolence or supineness of vassals they thought they ought to expect from the sedulous attention of a bishop。 Besides； a vassal of that kind； far from making use of the conquered people against them； would rather stand in need of their assistance to support themselves against their own people。
20。 Louis the Debonnaire。 When Augustus C？sar was in Egypt he ordered Alexander's tomb to be opened； and upon their asking him whether he was willing they should open the tombs of the Ptolemies； he made answer that he wanted to see the king； and not the dead。 Thus； in the history of the second race； we are continually looking for Pepin and Charlemagne； we want to see the kings； and not the dead。
A prince who was the sport of his passions； and a dupe even to his virtues； a prince who never understood rightly either his own strength or weakness； a prince who was incapable of making himself either feared or beloved； a prince； in fine； who with few vices in his heart had all manner of defects in his understanding； took into his hands the reins of the empire which had been held by Charlemagne。
At a time when the whole world is in tears for the death of his father； at a time of surprise and alarm； when the subjects of that extensive empire all call upon Charles and find him no more； at a time when he is advancing with all expedition to take possession of his father's throne； he sends some trusty officers before him in order to seize the persons of those who had contributed to the irregular conduct of his sisters。 This step was productive of the most terrible catastrophes。＇137＇ It was imprudent and precipitate。 He began with punishing domestic crimes before he reached the palace； and with alienating the minds of his subjects before he ascended the throne。
His nephew； Bernard； King of Italy； having come to implore his clemency； he ordered his eyes to be put out； which proved the cause of that prince's death a few days after； and created Louis a great many enemies。 His apprehension of the consequence induced him to shut his brothers up in a monastery； by which means the number of his enemies increased。 These two last transactions were afterwards laid to his charge in a judicial manner；＇138＇ and his accusers did not fail to tell him that he had violated his oath and the solemn promises which he had made to his father on the day of his coronation。＇139＇
After the death of the Empress Hermengarde； by whom he had three children； he married Judith； and had a son by that princess； but soon mixing all the indulgence of an old husband； with all the weakness of an old king； he flung his family into a disorder which was followed by the downfall of the monarchy。
He was continually altering the partitions he had made among his children。 And yet these partitions had been confirmed each in their turn by his own oath； and by those of his children and the nobility。 This was as if he wanted to try the fidelity of his subjects； it was endeavouring by confusion； scruples； and equivocation； to puzzle their obedience； it was confounding the different rights of those princes； and rendering their titles dubious； especially at a time when there were but few fortresses； and when the principal bulwark of authority was the fealty sworn and accepted。
The Emperor's children； in order to preserve their shares； courted the clergy； and granted them privileges till then unheard。 These privileges were specious； and the clergy in return were made to warrant the revolution in favour of those princes。 Agobard＇140＇ represents to Louis the Debonnaire his having sent Lotharius to Rome； in order to have him declared emperor； and that he had made a division of his dominions among his children； after having consulted heaven by three days fasting and praying。 What defence could such a weak prince make against the attack of superstition？ It is easy to perceive the shock which the supreme authority must have twice received from his imprisonment； and from his public penance； they would fain degrade the king； and they degraded the regal dignity。
We find difficulty at first in conceiving how a prince who was possessed of several good qualities； who had some knowledge； who had a natural disposition to virtue； and who in short was the son of Charlemagne； could have such a number of enemies。＇141＇ so impetuous and implacable as even to insult him in his humiliation and to be determined upon his ruin： and； indeed they would have utterly completed it； if his children； who in the main were more honest than they； had been steady in their design； and could have agreed among themselves。
21。 The same Subject continued。 The strength and solidity for which the kingdom was indebted to Charlemagne still subsisted under Louis the Debonnaire in such a degree as enabled the state to support its grandeur； and to command respect from foreign nations。 The prince's understanding was weak； but the nation was warlike。 His authority declined at home； though there seemed to be no diminution of power abroad。
Charles Martel； Pepin； and Charlemagne were in succession rulers of the monarchy。 The first flattered the avarice of the soldiers： the other two that of the clergy。 Louis the Debonnaire displeased both。
In the French constitution； the whole power of the state was lodged in the hands of the king； the nobility； and clergy。 Charles Martel； Pepin； and Charlemagne joined sometimes their interest with one of those parties to check the other and generally with both； but Louis the Debonnaire could gain the affection of neither。 He disobliged the bishops by publishing regulations which had the air of severity； because he carried things to a greater length than was agreeable to their inclination。 Very good laws may be ill…timed。 The bishops in those days； being accustomed to take the field against the Saracens and the Saxons； had very little of the spirit of religion。＇142＇ On the other hand； as he had no longer any confidence in the no