Part 98 (1/2)

3. Who comprised the ”third estate” in the Middle Ages? What cla.s.s corresponds to it at the present time?

4. Why has the medieval city been called the ”birthplace of modern democracy”?

5. Compare the merchant guild with the modern chamber of commerce, and craft guilds with modern trade unions.

6. Look up the origin of the words ”apprentice,” ”journeyman,” and ”master.”

7. Why was there no antagonism between labor and capital under the guild system?

8. Compare the medieval abhorrence of ”engrossing” with the modern idea that ”combinations in restraint of trade” are wrong.

9. Why were fairs a necessity in the Middle Ages? Why are they not so useful now? Where are they still found?

10. Compare a medieval fair with a modern exposition.

11. What would be the effect on trade within an American state if tolls were levied on the border of every county?

12. What is meant by a ”robber baron”?

13. How did the names ”damask” linen, ”chinaware,” ”j.a.panned” ware, and ”cashmere” shawls originate?

14. Why was the purchasing power of money much greater in the Middle Ages than it is now?

15. Why are modern coins always made perfectly round and with ”milled”

edges?

16. Are modern coins ”debased” to any considerable extent? What is the use of alloys?

17. Why was the money-changer so necessary a figure in medieval business?

18. How is it easy to evade laws forbidding usury?

19. Look up in an encyclopedia the legend of the ”Wandering Jew.” How does it ill.u.s.trate the medieval att.i.tude toward Jews?

20. Write out the English equivalents of the Italian words mentioned in footnote 20.

21. Compare the Italian despots with the Greek tyrants.

22. Show that Venice in medieval times was the seaport nearest the heart of commercial Europe.

23. Compare the Venetian and Athenian sea-empires in respect to (a) extent, (b) duration, and (c) commercial policy.

24. Why was Venice called the ”bride of the sea”?

FOOTNOTES

[1] The word ”city” comes through the French from the Latin _civilitas_, meaning citizens.h.i.+p, state. The word ”town” (from Anglo-Saxon _tun_), which is now often used as a synonym of city, originally meant a village (French _ville_, Latin _villa_).

[2] See page 437.