The innumerable details relating to the infringement of the rights of property show that many abuses must have previously existed. The great number of laws designed for the protection of agriculture, indicate the importance with which it was considered by a people who, but a few generations before, had been shepherds and predatory vagabonds. The Visigoths were the first of the nomadic barbarians of the North to acknowledge the privileges and responsibilities attaching to the occupation of a permanent and limited domain. The offences of trespass, and forcible entry and detainer, are clearly and explicitly set forth. Severe penalties are denounced against all who deface, remove, or in any way interfere with, established landmarks. Questions relating to transfers, devises, partition, leases, land belonging to the state, boundaries, disputes concerning the ownership of real-property, and title by adverse possession, are discussed and determined with an ability and an accurate conception of the principles of equity, most remarkable for that age. While enjoyment of liberty was theoretically the unquestioned right of every person except the slave, the limits of castes and classes, adopted, for the most part, from the Roman polity, were strictly defined. Notwithstanding minute and often voluminous provisions, designed for the protection of the people, oppression by the rich and powerful was not unusual, and was sedulously provided against. Cruelty, and persecution of the weak, could be practised by no one, no matter how exalted his dignity, without reprobation and punishment. The interference of individuals of rank in the trial of causes, and their obstruction of the process of the law--evidently a common practice, and a source of endless trouble in former times--is repeatedly prohibited; and every attempt was made to preserve the courts from external influence, and insure the justice and impartiality of their decisions. An appeal could be taken from the decision of the judge to the governor of the city, from him to the governor of the province, and from the latter to the king. Where a person was too poor to incur the ordinary expenses of litigation, he could appeal directly to the bishop; who, as the protector of all within his diocese, was authorized to settle their claims and disputes, and enjoined to interpose his good offices to prevent the exercise of injustice and injury. Founded upon the strict principles of morality which everywhere should control the conduct of mankind, the precepts of the Visigothic Code present a strong and remarkable analogy to those which govern the proceedings of modern judicial tribunals. A contract made under duress, or vitiated by fraud, was void. A principal was liable for the act of his agent, where the latter was known not to have exceeded his authority. A master was responsible in damages for injuries committed by his slave. Guardians were held to strict accountability in the treatment of their wards.