ABSTRACT
It has to be recognized, too, that little was done for the benefit of the country by the so-called upper classes. The political activities of the princes we have already considered. Not a few of them tried to improve the economic state of their lands; but their measures were as a rule so rigidly protectionist and restrictive that they did more harm than good. The mining industry perhaps profited most from their efforts. Their attempts at social reform generally took the shape of sumptuary laws or regulations for the betterment of the private morals of their subjects, some of the latter measures anticipating the most impudent enact ments of modern America and producing even less effect. As patrons of art and learning a few princes gained a repu tation ; but the majority cared little for such things, and if it had awaited princely encouragement the Italian Renais sance would have affected Germany more tardily than it did.
