The Press.
London, England, 1856-04-05 00:00:00

APRIL 5, 1856.

past and the perils of the future, and
Ey refused to recede one inch from their
)n. As might be expected, this party
red in its ranks better men of action
the aristocrats ; their aims were practi-
definite. Tho others would be desig-
as waverers and visionaries ; and the
[uence is that the names of the former
ieparably connected with the last strug-
' the republic against tyranny. They
become proverbs of virtue and patriotism,
pronounced with admiration by thou-
who know not that the same cause pro-
both the proscriptions of Sulla and the
of Cato. But there was also a third party,
the foresight and political knowledge
aristocrats united the more active and
,tic qualities of the oligarchs. They
imposed of younger men, who had been
and bred in license and contempt of
who had talents to discern the rotten-
if the present state of things, ambition
lire to turn it to their own account, and
in proportion to their ambition. At the
this class, and immeasurably superior
rest of them, was Julius Caesar.
re was yet another statesman in whom
is of a later period sac many heroic
.s, and who doubtless possessed many of
Aues which might have enabled him to
the republic ; but on his banners non
patria could never be inscribed. Pom
rhaps not less than his rival, discerned
.ness of the State; and had he possessed
!nt patriotism or strength of character
ly round him the whole Conservative
.nd reconcile their differences, the days
republic might have been lengthened,
still numbered. But we agree with
:erivale that Pompey, not less than
, was aiming at supreme power. He en-
lured to use as tools both the aristocrats
'le oligarchs: both suspected him, and
Ted him but a faint allegiance, and his
forces could make no head against the
counsels and prompt action of the
;Icsareans.

. these remarks we may, we think, come
conclusion that the autocracy of Angus-
_ not absolutely inevitable, could not
been long dela) ed. The fresh civil wars
followed the death of Julius had still
disgusted the nation with public affairs.
us dark death or dreamful ease " was
teir prayer. Officials and public men
Aopelessly corrupt. In vain had Cicero
oed to the knights the privilege of sitting
iudices, trusting thereby to curb the licen-
tess of the oligarchs. From among the
is came the publicans, or farmers of the
le ; from among the nobles the provin-
)rattors. These played into each other's
The praitor connived at the extortion
publican, and the publican, as a judex,
.ted the prietor and his friends. To
.e the forms of the republic amid this
,f organised corruption was manifestly
Faith and honour were no more—the
had lost its savour—the nation was ripe
-ery.
Merivale's style is temperate, and the
;sion of his opinions cautious. But it is
fficult to see that he, too, is to some
a victim of the fascination which is
tsed over a certain class of minds
to unity, vigour, and completeness
!spotic governments. He is unjust,
ink, to the Roman nobility, and we
surmise is an enemy to the theory of
graduation. In his account of the Ger-
to which we shall presently advert, there
:riking passage bearing upon this sub-
n the meanti►ne let us turn to a more
Lial subject—the Augustan literature.
►aracter and mission of Horace is finely
ted

the policy of Augustus to curtail the excessive
of the few, and make the masses dependent for
joyments upon the Government itself. It was
im good service therefore to expose to scorn or
the men who made a parade of their wealth, or
anxiety to amass it; to sing the praise of simpli-
_ indifference, and contrast with the smoke, the
and the splendour of Rome, the languid indolence of
- slumbers in the meadow. At the same time, the
, of the new nobility might demand some consols.
from their patrons for the mortification they expe-
zed at the sneers of the survivors of the true aristocracy.
them Horace had a salve in his specious disparagement
lustrious parentage, and clas.:ent from generations of

APRIL
of the pat
sturdily 11
position.
numbered
than the
cal and de
nated as
consequen
are insepa:
files
of th
have becol
and are pr
sands who
(Weed botl
suicide of
who to th
of the arit
energetic
were comp
born and
order, who
ness of ti
to desire t
vigour in
head of th
to the rest
There w
Romans c
qualities, a
the virtue
tve the
sibi sed pat
pey, perhe
the sicknet
sufficient I
to rally r
party and
of the rei
though sti
Mr. Mull
Caesar,
deavoured
and the c
tendered :
divided foi
united co
Caesareans
From th
to the cow
tus, if no
have been
which folk
further di::
" Give us
now their
were hop(
restored t(
as judices,
tiousness
knights ea
revenue ;
cial prneto
hands. T
of the put
acquitted
preserve t:
mass of o
useless. I
salt had lo
for slavery
Mr. Me
expression
not diffict
extent a
exercised
by the 1
of despot
we think,
should sus
social gra(
mans, to %I
is a striki
ject. In
congenial
The (than(
sketched :•
It was thi
affluence of I
their enjoyn
doing him g
ridicule the
betrayed an:
city and in,
noise and the
mid day slut
jealousy of I
tion from t
nenced at thi
For them H(
of Illustrious