g; the people bore
their taxes and burdens expressly that he might carry on war for them.
The peasant rendered service and soccage to his landlord, because in
the olden time the latter had gone into the field for him. He then
rendered taxes and service to the Sovereign because he had gone with
his paid soldiers into the field for him, when his landlord was no
longer willing to bear the burden; but now the peasant was to render
the same service to landlord and Prince, and besides this to march
himself to battle. This appeared impracticable; but again the pressure
of bitter necessity was felt, and help must be found. Only the most
indigent were to be taken--vagrants and idlers; but all whose labour
was useful to the State, all who raised themselves in any sort out of
the mass, were not to be disturbed.

Cautiously and slowly began the enlistment of the people for the
military service of their Prince before 1700. It was proclaimed for the
first time, but without success, that the country must supply recruits.
The innovation was first attempted, it appears, by the Brandenburger in
1693: the provinces were to enlist and present the number of men
wanting, yet not villeins; and the leaders of companies were to pay two
thalers earnest money to each man. Soon they went further; and first,
in 1704, called upon particular classes of tax-payers, and then in 1705
upon the community, to supply the necessary men. The recruits were to
serve from two to three years, and those that willingly enlisted for
six years and more were preferred. Exactly the same arrangement was
made in Saxony in 1702 by King Augustus. There the communities had to
provide for the Sovereign, as well as for the militia, an appointed
number of young sound men, and to decide what individuals could
be dispensed with. The enlistment-place was the Town-hall; the
high-constables of the circles had the inspection. The man was
delivered over without regimentals,--four thalers ready money were
given,--the time of service two years,--and if the officer refused his
discharge after two years, he who had served his time had the power to
go away. Thus, timidly, did they begin to bring forward a new claim;
and, in spite of all this caution, the opposition of the people was so
violent and bitter that the new regulation was given up, and they
returned again to enlistment. In 1708 forcible recruiting was
abolished, "because it was too great an exaction." The iron will of
Frederic