THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
IT shall not seem impertinent to the Reader, that I take occasion here to say somewhat touching the use and benefit of this Parliament or Coun∣cell-generall,* 1.1 wherein all the states of Gallia, or at the least such as did acknowledge the Roman soveraignty, presented their fealty, and were mu∣tuall witnesses of each others alleageance. Con∣cerning which we are to understand, that as all naturall bodies have a transitory being, depen∣ding upon motion and function of parts; so specially States and Commonweals, as sympa∣thizing with naturall causes, have no certain continuance in one and the same being, but are subject to the alteration of time and fortune, and do passe the ages of a naturall life, from in∣fancy growing to better strength, untill it come to the best perfection which years can afford it, and then decaying again by like degrees, even to the period and death of that policy. For remedy whereof, and for the prevention of any weaken∣ing disease which might infect either the whole powers of the body, or so possesse any part there∣of, as it might thereby prove either dangerous or unprofitable, amongst other helps, these coun∣cels and meetings have been thought necessary; wherein every particular State and city had some of their society present, as well to open their grievances, if any were, and to seek ease and re∣lief by way of treaty and dispute, as also to re∣ceive such directions and mandates as the wis∣dome of the Prince should think meet for their government. For as this common councel or generall assembly may well be termed the pulse of a politick body, whereby the true state and temperature thereof is discerned: so is it also as a treaty or parlee, and a renewing of the condi∣tions of peace between the head and the mem∣bers; where sovereignty and obedience being mutually propounded, do concurre in the esta∣blishing of true and perfect government. And this is that which the Politicians of later time do in their writings call the reducing of a common∣weal to the first beginning: for the noisome and super••luous humours being by this means purged and abated, the body of the publick weal is refined into such true and naturall elements, and setled in that disposition of health as may give great hope of long continuance. Besides this use and benefit of these assemblies, there were many necessary businesses concluded, and ma∣ny things agreed unto, serving to the maintain∣ance of war against parties and factions; as namely the levi••s and supplies of horse and foot, granted by this Councel as a subsidy, which in the Roman army received stipend and pay by the name of Auxiliary or associate forces, whereof we read in many places of these Commentaries, and particularly in this book. But the Romans used specially the service of their horsemen, as the flower of their strength, and far exceeding their foot companies in execution of arms and use of war, wherein the Galles have ever cha∣lenged a preeminence before other their neigh∣bour nations, and have continued the same re∣putation even unto this time.* 1.2 Whether it be in regard of the nimble and quick motions of their spirits, which are better suted with the swift and speedy execution of horse, then with any readi∣nesse which their own strength can afford them, or what other cause it hath, I know not: but this I am sure of, that as the world taketh notice of their hot phantasies, so would the French be reckoned the best horsemen of any other nation. The last saying which I observe concerning this councel is, the time wherein it was summoned, which was the beginning of the Spring, rather then any other part of the year, whereof there is this reason; that if any State neglected the sum∣mons, and refused to make their appearance ac∣cording to custome, the summer time coming on, gave good means to the Roman legions to punish the insolency of such a contempt: as it happened in this place to the Senones, Carnutes and Tre∣viri, whose absence from this meeting was a sufficient argument to Caesar of their rebellion, and deserved the reward of open revolt.