* Note: Von Raumer has traced the fortunes of the Swabian house in one of the ablest historical works of modern times.

He may be compared with the spirited and independent Sismondi .-- M.] [Footnote 148: For the history of Frederic II.

and the house of Swabia at Naples, see Giannone, Istoria Civile, tom.ii.l.xiv.

-xix.] The Barbarian conquerors of the West were pleased to decorate their chief with the title of emperor; but it was not their design to invest him with the despotism of Constantine and Justinian.

The persons of the Germans were free, their conquests were their own, and their national character was animated by a spirit which scorned the servile jurisprudence of the new or the ancient Rome.