Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-13
1Ou1s NAPOLEoN,s LIFE OF CESAR.

has been manifested in this hook, beth in this
country and Europe, and nots little speculation hay
been INDUCED in as 10 what was the Emperors OBJ
ject in writing it. Judging from the extracts from
it which we have read, We should say tia. the En-
peror meant, through yindicaton Of C@sar's ca
reer to yindicate his own course in, and since
Stunning the supreme authority IN France We Re-
dict Il a, the book viii be widely cad only III ID
the novelty which attaches 20 il from its having an
Imperial author, but because Of its real merits. Be
BW We give couple Of extracts showing the stE'c,
which think possesses much vigor, strength and
finish. The deGription Of Caesar is certainly eqls
n style to auyshi 6 from he best historians.
TIE UeE AND ssNEPrr OF A STRONG GOVERNMENT.
The history of The last City years, and
especially the pictStcTship Of Scylia evidently
showed that Italy required master. On ell sides
NE Institutions gave'wsy before the power Of one
who was sustained not only by his own pa-tsa
but also iby sthe gwarring crowd who, tired out
by the sction and the reaction of so many opposite
parties loDged for order and respose. Had the
conduct OF Scylla teen moderate, that which Is
called the Empire would probably have begun with
q hin; bot his authority was exercised with such
o<uely and opesdednesS, that on his dcath-bed
veople forgot the abuses Of liberty, TO think only
Of the abuses Of tyranny. The more the Demo
cratic spirit spread, the more did the old institu-
lions lose the prestige that once attached 70 them.
m truth, az democracy, eonhding and impassioned,
slysys believes IT'S interests to be better repre-
scented BY a single person than by political body,
was inclined to trust its future 10 him who shOud
Sase himself by merit above his contemporaries
The Gracchi Marus and Scylla had each in turn
disposed az their pleasure Of the destnies of the
Fepublic han with IMMUNITY trampGd under foot
d institutions ard old usage but their reign waS
Srsnsient, fer they represented only factions.
Instead Of comprehensive regard for the wishes
and interests Of the whole Italian peninsula they
xavored this that class of society exclusyely.-
Some WAITED, above al ether things, to improve the
r
eEre emancipation for the lt&lloleS, pre- ponder
Sacoe or the co NC arsn order; while others sought
dkRpaintain the privileges Of the aristocracy Both
&ed. In order to found durable order ofthings,
. man was waiting who raised himself above Yu-
ger pass ons she uld combine n himself the essen
Sial Qualities and The asst ideas Of each one Of
those who had preceded him, and who would avoid
eAeir defects as well as their erTrs. To the great
ness Of soul add the love for the people viii dis
Aiuguisked certain Of the Tribunes, be should ioin
fbe military genius Of the great generals and
die profound attachment Of the dictator TO order
ahd hierarchy. The msa qualified for 80 highia
miss on already existed brt rctwithsta nding his
name, he 1Otd perhaps have remained long nu-
knevn, bad net tie penetrating eye Of Scylla de-
Aected him amid the crowd, and, by persecution
drew the attention of the people upon him. That
v.Ga lrus CdSdr. Div. l., chap. viz ~.
yvIIUs CESAR AS DEsCElscD BY BoNAPARr.
The Ernt eror's description CT Cesar his habits
and tastes il very graphic. he says: . Toll
4heee natural g,hs, developed b. q brilliant edu-
roiioo, were Joined physical advantages. His lofty
mature aud bis Auely moulded and well proper
toned limbs impaired to his person a grace which
d.s,iucuished him from all others, his eyes were
dark, bis glance penetrating, his complexion col
tYless, End his nose straight ard somewhat thick
Aia mouth. VAS small and regular, and the lips
HAther full, gave 70 the lower part Of his face
ez,esSioa Of kindness, vhi'e his breadth Of fore
hesd indicated development Of The intellectual fac
mites Ills face vas ful, a: least in his youth.
hut 10 the bust: which Yere made towards
the close Of HIS life, his features are thin
ner. snd hear .he traces of fatigue. His
VOICE was scuorous and vibrating, his ees-
4ure noble and ii. Of dignity perysded his whole
sperson His constitution, which al FIRST was deli
cate grew robust by sober living, and By his habit
OF exposing himself 20 the inclenency Of the sea-
sons. Accustomed from his youth to manly exer-
cIse BE was bcld horSeman and he supported
-rStd ease pgivatiohs and fstigues. Hsbituay alb
sse-.icus his heath vas rot weakened by excess
Of isbo. nor by excess Of pleasure. Eeyerthe IS,
On no occasions, once at Co-dova snd then q;
gAapsus, lie shd a nervous attack, which was erro-
1eeVsjy thought 30 be epilepsy. lie paid particu-
lSc attention 70 his person. shaved with care, or
Nsd the hairs plucked out he brought forward
GisticaSy his lair 20 The front Of his head, aud
1lis 70 HE more advanced age, served 10 cOncC a!
hiC bGI5nesS lie wes TeprOached with the afec- |
ton CT scratching lis head with only drger
&cr fear Ct ietsogng his hair. Ills dress VAS ar
ssaEed Rith e. Ipisiie taste. Ills gown geBcr,
srklly hordered with the lstcisyo, ornamertcd
vah frinsos to Tho hands, and was bound
scuni the l0.5s ~ = sash loosely kuotted-a |
tssh.cn ticn ci.toSni.bed the elegant and
etfem ns:H nth of ITO period But Scyla vas
rot 5ece.7eG b this show + f,,oh'y, and he was
WJrt q recon cri that people should ave on eye
on t.lat yc'0c man with the flowing sash. He had
AsRs.e ;or PIC es, statues and gems and he al
ways on HIS finger, in memory of his origin,
NTng o viii vas e. grsYed The figure Of an IN ed
Yenis TO suia NJ, taere we're found In Caesar,
Phys ally and morally, two nEtur 8 yh ch ? erlre-
i conf il h. same person. He joined sristo-
cad, s.GiJi,uvss Of person 50 tho vigorous en-
VcrluCc. Of cos ,9,dor; the gract3 Of mind 20 the
p-rfundity Of thought; the love OF luxury and the
arts - pas for military life in all ita sinpiic
= q. 4 rute.,s. In word, he med the elegance
Of manner which Seduces, TO the energy a. charac-
ter which Commands. Such was Caesar at Tie age
Of eighteen, when Scylla possessed himself of the
Dictatorship. H. mad already attracted the atten-