Lecture Xiii.--Page 109

Origin of military service; its cause and limits.

It was made a general obligation by Charlemagne.

Allodial lands were originally exempt from taxation.

Origin of benefices.

Change in the position of the German chiefs in consequence of their territorial settlement.

Their wealth.

No public treasury.

The œrarium and fiscus of the old Roman republic.

Formation of the private domain of the kings of France.

Character of benefices.

Error of Montesquieu on this subject.

{xii}