Zorastro : a romance / by Creswick J. Thompson [pseud.].

  • Charles Thompson
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Zorastro : a romance / by Creswick J. Thompson [pseud.]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Krafft, and many others of genius and in- ventive skill. The city possessed a constitution of its own, enjoying the privileges, grants, and immunities which had been bestowed upon it by various emperors. Its ancient form of government was de- cidedly aristocratic, and resembled that of Venice. For a long period a small number of patrician families monopolised the chief authority, and from among them was chosen the Council of State, consisting of eight members, who formed the executive. At a later period, however, the Burgraf was appointed by the Emperor, who generally selected a member of some noble family to occupy the office. He lived at the castle within the city walls, and was the titular protector of the city, although he frequently came into collision with the burghers, who still held the rights of free election of magis- trates and independent courts of justice. The appointment of a new Burgraf was always made the occasion of general festivity and holiday, so when news came that the Duke Ernest of Bavaria had been appointed