And this is what Gibbon has not seen; he has not seen that, whether their work was good or bad in the issue, it was colossal.

His tone in reference to Charlemagne is unworthy to a degree.

"Without injustice to his fame, I may discern some blemishes in the sanctity and greatness of the restorer of the Western Empire.
Of his moral virtues, chastity was not the most conspicuous." This from the pen of Gibbon seems hardly serious.

Again: "I touch with reverence the laws of Charlemagne, so highly applauded by a respectable judge.

They compose not a system, but a series of occasional and minute edicts, for the correction of abuses, the reformation of manners, the economy of his farms, the care of his poultry, and even the sale of his eggs." And yet Gibbon had read the Capitularies.