The Germanic Constitution. By Samuel Epes Turner. (G. P. Putnam's
Sons.)—Mr. Turner's'sketch of the Germanic Constitu- tion is between limits very far removed, and extends over some two thousand years. He begins with the Cimbri and Teutones, about 113 B.C., and completes his history with the abdication of Francis II. in 1806. He divides this great number of years into eight periods. Thus, we have the Primitive, Merovin-
gian, and Carolingian periods ; the two Feudal periods, 887- 1273, which saw the rise of the great electoral Princes ; and the Reformation, Disintegration, and Dissolution periods.
Special interest attaches to the two Feudal periods, as during the four hundred years included in them, occurred the rapid growth of the territorial Princes, and a complicated system of "Virilstimmen " which became confusing about the Reforma- tion, and naturally resulted in the period aptly termed "Disin- tegration." A list of these " votes " is given for the years 1572 and 1792. It is well worth studying, as indicating the means by which a feudal system of primarily dependent and eventually independent units, builds up an Empire after the manner of a mosaic, and breaks it up with the ease of a child who destroys his carefully contrived map-puzzle.
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