That the Scandinavians, after this detail of their mythology relative to the passion of Love, would pay a certain degree of attention to their women, might be generally expected, but that this should amount to a deference so very superior to, and distinct from. what had hitherto been known in Europe, could not with any probability be imagined. In ancient Greece and Italy the female sex lived in a state of seclusion and obscurity, were objects of little attention and respect, entered in no degree into public transactions, and had a very inconsiderable share even in the common conversation and customary business of life; but when the splendid fabric of the Roman Empire was overthrown by the repeated shocks of the northern barbarians, a very different scene opened, and the female character assumed an equality and importance which has gradually imparted to modern manners a suavity and polish unenjoyed by the inhabitants of Athens or of Rome,

The Goths from the earliest period of record, and long anterior to the fall of Rome, entertained an idea that some divine and

prophetic quality was inherent in the female sex; accustomed to believe in the frequent and immediate intervention of the deity, and to ascribe to dreams, to involuntary inclinations and sensations the declaratory will of heaven, they looked upon their women, from their peculiar susceptibility, and greater delicacy of temperament and frame, as the most appropriate instruments or organs of the Supreme Power, and accordingly admitted them into their councils, and consulted them upon every emergency of state. Prophetesses, therefore, were very common among the Gothic nations, and were frequently allowed to promote and conduct the events they presaged, and to guide the helm of government. Dion and Tacitus mention German virgins of this description, who treated with Domitian and the Roman Generals concerning terms of peace; and the latter observes, that this custom prevailed among the Sitones or Norwegians. Strabo, likewise, relates that the Cimbri, a Scandinavian tribe, were

* Dio. Lib. 47. page 761.

+ Hist. Lib. 4.

De Moribus Germanorum.

accompanied at their assemblies by venerable and hoary headed prophetesses, apparelled in long linen vestments of a splendid white.* To these oracular and supernatural powers, they were supposed also to add great skill in the cure of wounds and inveterate maladies, and for this purpose occupied a great portion of their time in mysteriously acquiring a knowledge of plants. So gifted they were of essential service on the field of battle, and always attended, and frequently fought with intrepidity by the side of their husbands and lovers, dressed their wounds, and reanimated their drooping courage.

Thus invested with a character, which commanded high respect, and rendered useful by the acquirement of various arts, the matrons and virgins of Scandinavia were considered, not as formed merely for pleasure, the amusement of the vacant hour, or the pastime of the warrior, but as holding the honourable rank of equals and companions, whose love could only be excited by merit, and whose esteem, therefore, it was necessary

Geograph. Lib. 8. page 205. ed. Is. Casaub.

to obtain, by every effort of virtue, courage, and generous attention.

Nor did this deference, the result of religious opinion, and of a spirit of equality and simplicity, rest here; it was further heightened by those strong and exaggerated ideas of chastity, which have ever prevailed among the northern nations. Tacitus, speaking of the Germans, says, that Chastity once prostituted was never forgiven, nor could the offender, whatever might be her attractions of youth, beauty or riches, ever procure a husband,* and Salviani, a priest of Marseilles, many centuries after, exclaims "Let us blush and be covered with a confusion, which ought to produce salutary effects. Wherever the Goths become masters, we see no longer any disorders, except among the old inhabitants. Our manners are reformed under the dominion of the Vandals! Behold an incredible event! an unheard of prodigy! Barbarians have, by the severity of their discipline, rendered chaste the Romans themselves; and the Goths have purified those

De Mor. Germ. cap. 18. 19.

places, which the, others had defiled by their debaucheries. A cruel nation, but worthy to be admired for their continence."* He, therefore, who would gain the affections. of his mistress, difficult as she was of access, and who, being conscious of her own importance, was stately and reserved in her manners, was under the necessity of recommending himself by the most delicate and unwearied assiduities, and more especially by his heroic deeds, without a celebrity for which he could not presume to solicit her regard, who, educated under the influence of the same ideas of honour as himself, looked with contempt on him who wasted his days in the obscurity of peace. The first excellence of character among the Scandinavians, was, as we have already seen, a superiority in arms, and as the women were no less fond of glory than the men, and naturally proud from their high consequence in society, the bravest champion would of course be ever the suc cessful candidate for their charms.

The state of society too, at this period, a

Salyian. Lib. 7. De Gubern. Dei.