From these Proofs, and very many others like them, I think ’tis most plain, that the Kings of Francogallia were made such rather by the Suffrages and Favour of the People, than by any Hereditary Right.  Of which a farther Argument may be the Forms and Ceremonies used by our Ancestors, at the Inauguration of their Kings.  For we observe, the very same Custom was continued at the Election of our Kings, which we told you before out of Cornelius Tacitus, was formerly practised by the Caninesates, (the Franks own Country-men) viz. that they set their Elected King upon a Shield, and carried him on high on Men’s Shoulders.  So did we; for whoever was chosen by the Votes of the People, was set upon a Shield, and carried thrice round the place of publick Meeting for Election, or round about the Army on Men’s Shoulders, all the People expressing their joy by Acclamations, and clapping of Hands. Greg.  Turen. lib. 2. where he makes mention of King Clodoveus’s Election,—­“But they (says he) as soon as they heard these things, applauding him both with their Hands and Tongues, and hoisting him on a Shield, appointed him to be their King—.”  Also lib. 7. cap. 10. where he speaks of Gondebaldus,—­“And there (says he) placing their King upon a Shield, they lifted him up; but ’tis reported, that as they were carrying him round the third time, he fell down; so that he was scarcely kept from tumbling to the very Ground by those that stood about him.”  Of which Accident Aimoinus, lib. 3. cap. 6. gives us this Account,—­“They called forth Gondebaldus, and according to the Custom of the ancient Franks, proclaimed him their King, and hoisted him on a Shield; and as they were carrying him the third time round the whole Army, of a sudden they fell down with him, and could scarce get him up again from the Ground—.”  The like says Ado.  Vien. AEtat. 6.—­"Sigebertus consenting to the Franks, was placed upon a Shield, according to the Custom of that Nation, and proclaimed King”:  And peradventure from hence arose that Form among those Writers, who treat of the Creation of a King;—­In Regem elevatus est.

But now we come to the third Part of this Controversy, in order to understand, how great the Right and Power of the People was, both in making and continuing their Kings.  And I think it is plainly prov’d from all our Annals, that the highest Power of abdicating their Kings, was lodged in the People.  The very first that was created King of Francogallia, is a remarkable instance of his Power.  For when the People had found him out to be a profligate lewd Person, wasting his time in Adulteries and Whoredoms, they removed him from his Dignity by universal Consent, and constrain’d him to depart out of the Territories