Taxation upon sin was, in those rude ages, a considerable branch of the revenue.

The old Frisian laws consisted almost entirely of a discriminating tariff upon crimes.

Nearly all the misdeeds which man is prone to commit, were punished by a money-bote only.

Murder, larceny, arson, rape--all offences against the person were commuted for a definite price.

There were a few exceptions, such as parricide, which was followed by loss of inheritance; sacrilege and the murder of a master by a slave, which were punished with death.