, 1865-03-28

tIIuIl pldIG from the uCSC severe JfIltS
and from the greatest dangers, it is be-
cause there was a general cause which al
ways rendered them superior to their en-
emieS, and which did not suffer defeats
and partial disasters to lead to q fall Of
their sway. If the Romans, after giving
to the world the example of a people es-
tabiishing themselves firmly and growing
great by liberty, have seemed since Caesar
to throw themselves b!indly into serflom,
it is because there existed a general rea-
son which fatally prevented the Republic
from returning to the pure form of lis
former Institutions it is because the
wants and the new interests of a society
in labour required other meats to be sa-
tished. In the same manner that logic
proves to US in important events the rea-
son why they are imperative, in like
manner we must recognize both in The
long duration of an Institution the proof
of its worth, and in the iuconttstabie IN
fuence Of a man upon his age the proof
of his genius.
"Thc task consists, then, in c~ndcavour-
ing to discover the vital element which
constituted The strength ofthe institution,
like the predomiuatiug idea which made
the man act. Following this rule we
shall avoid the errors of those historians
who collect facts transmitted by pfeced-
ing ages without arranging them accord
ing to their PHILOSOPHERS importancc;
clarifying what deserves censure and
leaving in the dark that which calls for
light. It is not a minute ANALYSIS of the
Roman organization which viii make us
understand the duration of 50 great an
empire, but q deep investigation into the
spirit Of its institutions it is not, more
yer, a detailed narrative of the lesser acts
ola superior man which will reveal to US
the secret Of his ascendency, but a care
full examination Of the elevated motives
of his conduct.
"When extraordinary facts demonstrate
an eminent genius, what can be more con-
trary to good sense than to attribute to
him all the passions and sentiments of
mediocrity ? What more erroneous than
not to recognize the pre-eminence OF
those privileged beings who appear from
time to time in history as brilliant hea-
cons, dissipating the darkness of their
epoch and throwing light upon the future?
To deny such pre-emInence would, more
over, be an insult to human nature, by
believing it capable of submitting for a
length of time and voluntarily to a domi-
nation not based upon real greatness or
incontestible utility. Let US be logical,
and we shall be just.
"Too many historians find it more
easy to lower mea of genius than to raise
themselves by a generous inspiration to
their level by penetrating their vast de-
signs. Thus, as regards Caesar, instead
Of showing US Rome torn by civil wars,
corrupted by wealth, treading its ancient
institutions under foot, threatened by
powerful nations-the Gauls, the Ger
MANS, and the Parlhians, incapable of
maintaining itself without a stronger cen
trail power, more stable and more Just;
instead, say, of drawing that faithful
picture, Caesar is represented to US,
from his very youth, meditating already
upon supreme power. If he ~resists Sylla,
ltlhe ~Cisagrees with Cicero, if he enters
into alliance with Pompey, it is all the
result of that farsighted cunning which