foreign to the masses then emerging from uncivilized life. Force was
their own law, and by this must they themselves have been ruled. The
Baron or Lord, in enforcing the severities of the feudal code, therefore
instructed his vassals in a vocabulary which they understood; he governed
them by the only suitable rod. To have addressed them as citizens, and
moral and accountable beings, and to have explained to them their duties
and rights from a description of the nature, condition, and destinies of
man, would have been to have spoken to them in an unknown tongue--in a
language they could not have understood.

Moreover the very relation in which the vassals stood to their Lord, and
the services and duties which they were compelled to perform, taught them
obedience--trained them to docility and submission. It induced them to
reflect on others than themselves,--to regard the wants and rights of
others beside their own. This was a great point gained in subduing and
training the barbarian just leaving his roving life in the forest or on
the mountain. This was a step to further improvement, and to a milder
and more rational rule; by this he was trained for a gentler government,
and better laws.

The feudal institutions gave birth to chivalry, which exercised so
predominant a sway through the middle ages, and in what light soever it
is regarded, was beneficial in its influences. It conjures up to our
mind the brilliant scenes and magnificent achievements of the period,
whether viewed in the enchanting pages of romance, or the more sober
records of history. It brings before our minds the mail-clad warrior
dispensing refined hospitality in his armor-hung hall, to a princely
retinue of retainers and guests, or mounted on his fiery steed, pressing
forward to the mortal encounters of honor. The Knight is equally
interesting, whether we look at him armed to avenge in single combat the
maiden's dishonor or orphan's wrong, or we follow him into the stately
tournament, there to encounter in the perilous and sometimes fatal lists.
In either case we see displayed the highest qualities of man--courage,
honor, dignity, fidelity, skill, and manly strength. We find the same
characteristics accompany him into the tented field, where amidst hills
of carnage, and at the close of a doubtful day, the bleeding knight
contends bravely under the shadow of the red-cross banner. The crusades
were a magnificent effect of the religious aspirati