History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 6Gibbon, Edward
History
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 6
Gibbon, Edward
Byzantine Empire -- History -- To 527; Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D.
of the slave, secured the farm of the peasant and the shop of the
artificer, and gradually restored a substance and a soul to the
most numerous and useful part of the community. The conflagration
which destroyed the tall and barren trees of the forest gave air
and scope to the vegetation of the smaller and nutritive plants
of the soil. 691
68 (return) [ If I rank the Saracens with the Barbarians, it is
only relative to their wars, or rather inroads, in Italy and
France, where their sole purpose was to plunder and destroy.]
69 (return) [ On this interesting subject, the progress of
society in Europe, a strong ray of philosophical light has broke
from Scotland in our own times; and it is with private, as well
as public regard, that I repeat the names of Hume, Robertson, and
Adam Smith.]
691 (return) [ On the consequences of the crusades, compare the
valuable Essay of Heeren, that of M. Choiseul d’Aillecourt, and a
chapter of Mr. Forster’s “Mahometanism Unveiled.” I may admire
this gentleman’s learning and industry, without pledging myself
to his wild theory of prophets interpretation.—M.]
_Digression On The Family Of Courtenay._
The purple of three emperors, who have reigned at Constantinople,
will authorize or excuse a digression on the origin and singular
fortunes of the house of Courtenay, 70 in the three principal
branches: I. Of Edessa; II. Of France; and III. Of England; of
which the last only has survived the revolutions of eight hundred
years.
70 (return) [ I have applied, but not confined, myself to _A
genealogical History of the noble and illustrious Family of
Courtenay, by Ezra Cleaveland, Tutor to Sir William Courtenay,
and Rector of Honiton; Exon. 1735, in folio._ The first part is
extracted from William of Tyre; the second from Bouchet’s French
history; and the third from various memorials, public,
provincial, and private, of the Courtenays of Devonshire The
rector of Honiton has more gratitude than industry, and more
industry than criticism.]
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