_Romans_, who formerly dwelt in those Parts."--From all these 'tis apparent, that the Reputation and Power of the _Franks_ was extraordinary great; as 'twas fitting for such as were Masters of a great Part of _Europe_. Moreover we find, that those _Germans_ which were transplanted by the Emperor _Frederick_ the IId, into the Kingdoms of _Naples_ and _Sicily_, and establish'd there as a presidiary Colony, were called _Franks_. _Petrus de Vineis, lib. epist. 6. cap. 25._ [Footnote: These are only broken pieces of Sentences, to prove, that the _Germans_ (establish'd in _Naples_ and _Sicily_) were called, and actually were _Franks_.] --"_Following (says he) the Law and Custom of the_ Franks, _in this Instance, that the Eldest Brother to the Exclusion of all the Younger succeeds, even in the Camp it self._" Imp. Freder. 2. Neapol. constit. lib. 2. tit. 32. speaking of those _Franks, "who upon Occasion trusted the Fortune of their Lives, and of all their Estates, to the Event of a Duel, or single Combat_." And again,--"_The aforesaid manner of Proof, which all who observe the Rites of the_ Franks _made use of_"--. Also _lib. 2. tit. 33_.--"_which Law, our Will is, shall in all Causes be common both to the_ Franks _and_ Longobards." Matters being thus plain, 'tis strange that _Gregory_ Bishop of _Tours_ (who writ concerning the Original of the _Franks_ 800 Years ago) shou'd say, in the first Part of his History, That altho' he had made diligent Enquiry about the Rise and Beginning of the _Franks_, he could find nothing certain: notwithstanding he had seen an ancient Book of a certain Historian of theirs, called, _Salpitius Alexander_; who affirms nothing, either of their first Habitations, or the Beginnings of their Domination. But we have found out, that these People originally came from that Country which lies between the _Rhine_ and the _Elb_, and is bounded on the _West_ by the Sea, almost in the same Tract where the greater and the lesser _Chauci_ dwelt. "A People (says _Tacitus_) the most noble among all the _Germans_, who founded their Greatness and maintained it by Justice." These were next Neighbours to the _Batavians_; for 'tis agreed on all Hands, that the _Franks_ had their first Seats near the Sea-shore, in very marshy Grounds; and were the most skilful People in Navigation, and Sea-fights, known at that time: Whereof we have the following Testimonies. First, in _Claudian_, who congratulating _Stilicon's_ Victory, writes thus; --_Ut jam trans fluvium non indignante_ Chayco _Paseat_ Belga _pecus, mediumque ingressa per_ Albin Gallica Francorum _montes armenta pererrent_.