39
Author's note.
The first historian who had at least a vague conception of the nature of the gens was Niebuhr, thanks to his familiarity with the Dithmarsian families. The same source, however, is also responsible for his errors.
40
Translator's note.
The recent demand for a law declaring the person of the U. S. President sacred above all other representatives of the public power and making an assault on him an exceptional crime is a very good case in point.
41
Translator's note.
"Junker" is a contemptuous term for the land-owning nobility.