negotiations of Rome insinuated themselves into the heart of Germany;
and every art of seduction was used with dignity, to conciliate those
nations whom their proximity to the Rhine or Danube might render the
most useful friends as well as the most troublesome enemies. Chiefs of
renown and power were flattered by the most trifling presents, which
they received either as marks of distinction, or as the instruments of
luxury. In civil dissensions the weaker faction endeavored to strengthen
its interest by entering into secret connections with the governors of
the frontier provinces. Every quarrel among the Germans was fomented
by the intrigues of Rome; and every plan of union and public good was
defeated by the stronger bias of private jealousy and interest.

The general conspiracy which terrified the Romans under the reign of
Marcus Antoninus, comprehended almost all the nations of Germany, and
even Sarmatia, from the mouth of the Rhine to that of the Danube. It
is impossible for us to determine whether this hasty confederation was
formed by necessity, by reason, or by passion; but we may rest assured,
that the barbarians were neither allured by the indolence, nor provoked
by the ambition, of the Roman monarch. This dangerous invasion required
all the firmness and vigilance of Marcus. He fixed generals of ability
in the several stations of attack, and assumed in person the conduct
of the most important province on the Upper Danube. After a long and
doubtful conflict, the spirit of the barbarians was subdued. The Quadi
and the Marcomanni, who had taken the lead in the war, were the most
severely punished in its catastrophe. They were commanded to retire five
miles from their own banks of the Danube, and to deliver up the flower
of the youth, who were immediately sent into Britain, a remote island,
where they might be secure as hostages, and useful as soldiers. On the
frequent rebellions of the Quadi and Marcomanni, the irritated emperor
resolved to reduce their country into the form of a province. His
designs were disappointed by death. This formidable league, however,
the only one that appears in the two first centuries of the Imperial
history, was entirely dissipated, without leaving any traces behind in
Germany.

In the course of this introductory chapter, we have confined ourselves
to the general outlines of the manners of Germany, without attempting
to describe or to distinguish the various tribes which filled that