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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt: ... the court. The king's attendants were most wisely distributed into three companies, so that the first company should be on duty at court for one month, night and day, at the end of which they returned to their homes, and were relieved by the second company. At the end of the second month, in the same way, the third company relieved the second, who returned to their homes, where they spent two months, until their services were again wanted. The third company also gave place to the first in the same way, and also spent two months at home. Thus was the threefold division of the companies arranged at all times in the royal household. We may ask whether it is Asser, or was it Alfred, who is here assimilating the practice of the English court to that of King Solomon? of whom it is written, And King Solomon raised a levyout of all Israel.... And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home. 1 To these, therefore, was paid the first of the three portions aforesaid, to each according to their respective dignities and peculiar services; the second to the operatives whom he had collected from every nation, and had about him in large numbers, men skilled in every kind of construction. The third portion was assigned to foreigners who came to him out of every nation far and near, whether they asked money of him or not. He cheerfully gave to each with wonderful munificence, according to their respective merits, according to what is written: 'God loveth a cheerful giver.' In its main outlines Asser's account is probably true. But it is not likely that Alfred regularly gave away to foreigners as much as he spent on his own retainers, his primitive civil service, and his cou...

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