CHAP. XIV.: The same Subject continued.

WHEN a whole nation is of a martial temper, the slaves in arms are less to be feared.

By a law of the Allemands, a slave, who had committed a clandestine theft Law of the Allemands, c. 5. §. 3. ^†540, was liable to the same punishment as a freeman in the like case; but, if he was found guilty of an open robbery Law of the Allemands, c. 5. §. 5. per virtutem. ^†541, he was only bound to restore the things so taken. Among the Allemands, courage and intrepidity extenuated the guilt of an action. They employed their slaves in their wars. Most republics have been attentive to dispirit their slaves: but the Allemands, relying on themselves, and being always armed, were so far from fearing theirs, that they were rather for augmenting their courage; they were the instruments either of their depredations or of their glory.