For myself, I concur in opinion with such as suppose the people of Germany never to have mingled by inter-marriages with other nations, but to have remained a people pure, and independent, and resembling none but themselves.  Hence amongst such a mighty multitude of men, the same make and form is found in all, eyes stern and blue, yellow hair, huge bodies, but vigorous only in the first onset.  Of pains and labour they are not equally patient, nor can they at all endure thrift and heat.  To bear hunger and cold they are hardened by their climate and soil.

Their lands, however somewhat different in aspect, yet taken all together consist of gloomy forests or nasty marshes; lower and moister towards Noricum and Pannonia; very apt to bear grain, but altogether unkindly to fruit trees; abounding in flocks and herds, but generally small of growth.  Nor even in their oxen is found the usual stateliness, no more than the natural ornaments and grandeur of head.  In the number of their herds they rejoice; and these are their only, these their most desirable riches.  Silver and gold the Gods have denied them, whether in mercy or in wrath, I am unable to determine.  Yet I would not venture to aver that in Germany no vein of gold or silver is produced; for who has ever searched?  For the use and possession, it is certain they care not.  Amongst them indeed are to be seen vessels of silver, such as have been presented to their Princes and Ambassadors, but holden in no other esteem than vessels made of earth.  The Germans however adjoining to our frontiers value gold and silver for the purposes of commerce, and are wont to distinguish and prefer certain of our coins.  They who live more remote are more primitive and simple in their dealings, and exchange one commodity for another.  The money which they like is the old and long known, that indented [with milled edges], or that impressed with a chariot and two horses.  Silver too is what they seek more than gold, from no fondness or preference, but because small pieces are more ready in purchasing things cheap and common.

Neither in truth do they abound in iron, as from the fashion of their weapons may be gathered.  Swords they rarely use, or the larger spear.  They carry javelins or, in their own language, framms, pointed with a piece of iron short and narrow, but so sharp and manageable, that with the same weapon they can fight at a distance or hand to hand, just as need requires.  Nay, the horsemen also are content with a shield and a javelin.  The foot throw likewise weapons missive, each particular is armed with many, and hurls them a mighty space, all naked or only wearing a light cassock.  In their equipment they show no ostentation; only that their shields are diversified and adorned with curious colours.  With coats of mail very few are furnished, and hardly upon any is seen a headpiece or helmet.  Their horses are nowise signal either in fashion or in fleetness; nor taught to wheel and bound, according to the practice