n Account of the
_Francogallican_ Government.

For, as to what a certain, foolish and ignorant _Monk_, called _John
Turpin_, has wrote (in his Life, or rather Romance of _Charlemagn_)
concerning the Origins of the Word _Frank_, viz. That whoever
contributed Money towards the Building of St. _Denis's Church_, should
be called _Francus_, that is, a freeman, is not worthy of being
remembred, no more than all the rest of his trifling Works; stuft'd full
of old Wives Tales, and meer Impertinencies.

But this may be truly affirm'd, that this name of _Franks_, or (as
_Corn. Tacitus_ interprets it) _Authors_ of _Liberty_, was an _Omen_ so
lucky and fortunate to them, that through it they gain'd almost
innumerable Victories. For after the _Franks_ had quitted their ancient
Seats upon that glorious Design, they deliver'd not only _Germany_,
their common Country, but also _France_ from the Tyranny and Oppression
of the _Romans_; and at last (crossing the _Alps_) even a great part of
_Italy_ itself.

The first mention made of this illustrious name, we find in _Trebellius
Pollios_ Life of the Emperor _Gallienus_, about the 260th Year after
_Christ_. His Words are these: "Cum, &c. Whilst _Gallienus_ spent his
time in nothing but Gluttony and shameful Practices, and govern'd the
Commonwealth after so ridiculous a manner, that it was like Boys play,
when they set up Kings in jest among themselves; the _Gauls_, who
naturally hate luxurious Princes, elected _Posthumus_ for their Emperor,
who at that time was _Gallienus's_ Lieutenant in _Gaul_ with imperial
Authority. Gallienus thereupon commenced a War with _Posthumus_; and
_Posthumus_ being assisted by many Auxiliaries, both of the _Celtae_ and
the _Franks_, took the Field along with _Victorinus_--." By which Words
we may plainly perceive, that the _Gauls_ crav'd the Assistance of the
_Franks_; that is, of these _Authors_ or _Beginners of liberty_, to
enable them to shake off the Tyrant _Gallienus's_ Yoke: Which same thing
_Zonaras_ hints at in his Life of _Gallienus_, when he says, [Greek:
epolemise de phrangois], &c.--We find another mention made of the same
People in _Flavius Vopiscus's_ Life of _Aurelian_, in these Words:--"At
Mentz the Tribune of the 6th Legion discomfited the _Franks_, who had
made Incursions, and overspread all _Gallia_; he slew 700, and sold 300
Captives for Slaves."--For you must not expect that our _Franks_, any
more than other Nations in their Wars, were c