The weight of taxes was suspended, the perpetual theme of popular complaint; and he prohibited the trials by the ordeal and judicial combat.

These Barbaric institutions were already abolished or undermined in France [15] and England; [16] and the appeal to the sword offended the sense of a civilized, [17] and the temper of an unwarlike, people.

For the future maintenance of their wives and children, the veterans were grateful: the priests and the philosophers applauded his ardent zeal for the advancement of religion and learning; and his vague promise of rewarding merit was applied by every candidate to his own hopes.

Conscious of the influence of the clergy, Michael successfully labored to secure the suffrage of that powerful order.

Their expensive journey from Nice to Magnesia, afforded a decent and ample pretence: the leading prelates were tempted by the liberality of his nocturnal visits; and the incorruptible patriarch was flattered by the homage of his new colleague, who led his mule by the bridle into the town, and removed to a respectful distance the importunity of the crowd.