New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
NApOIrOv,s LIFE OF CFSAR.


ia moro important contribution TO our knowledge Of
Roman antiquity than the first and az the time more
Interesting both from its subject and its treatment TO the
general reader 1t the period between the COM
mcnccment cfthe campaigns in Gau and the commence
meut of the civil war which raised Cesar 10 the Imperial
power ard embraces two boosthe third and fourth oil
the history.
Book Ill follows closely Cnsors Commentaries OF
which It is in many places little than paraphrase
with illustrative In the opening chapter the Enpe
Tor traces the political which led to the 6eulc war;
and briefly Tecaptulates the principal expeditions against
the Gls which were noticed in his previous volume The
constant thought Of the Romans during several centuries
was to resist the Celtic peoples established either side
Of tho Alps conscious that with the CGuls they had to
fight as Salust SAYS for Glory bnt for safety. This
long au.agonsm could not but result ii desperate
struggle and the ruin OF Of the two ad'earcs ms
explains at the same time both Caesars ardor aud INC
enthusiasm excited by bis successes. Upon MS
failure or his triumph depended he triumph
81 barbarsn civilization. " If Caesar Na'
been vanquished b. the H1lvet OF tho Germans VINO
can say what would have become Of Rome asaed by the
numberless hordes Of the North rushing eagerly upon
alyq" Cesar did not therefore as Sleonius charged,
draw the inspiration Of his cempa ns from the vulgar de-
sire ofenriching himself with plumber it his in
tentcn to seek in Gaul Of rising TO the supreme
power through civil Ills conqucss were never made
subseyeni 10 bis personal interests II he had sought
only has elevation he would not have continued so
desperate struggle for eight years, incurred
tho risks Of such enterprises those Of Britain
and Germany, when he might have returned TO
Rome and profted by his victories after his
first campaigns; neither would he have separated himself
from his army at critical moments or sent two legons to
Pompcy or neglected to from the immense booty
taken in Gaul enough to defay the expenses Of
vac NOT he
power which Cesar went into GGu to seek but the pnre
and elevated glory which arises from national war; made
the traditional interest Of the o0unty IL is in this
Napoleonsc spirit Of constructing history according to an
idea" that the whole book Is written
Al exhaustive geographical description Of Gaul and an
identification of ancient with modern localities fol-
lowed by interesting description Of The people and their
mode of government in tho Of which the Emperor
SAYS word in defense Of centazaon and forfes il by
the opinion Of his uncle
The third chapter opens the narrative proper with the
history Of the campaign against tho Helyeti as given in
tho first book Of the Commentaries. ave have adopted
the narrative Of Cesar" says the author "though some
times changing tho order OF the natter have abridged
passages where there prod yay Of details and de-
voloped those which required calculation In order to in
dictate in more precise the localities which wit
yessed SO many battles, have employed the modern
names especially in where ancient geography did
furnish corresponding Names TIE Emperor has also
caused thorough examination Of the hca-og Of the wars
be made by competent engineers, and the result has
been clear up many doubtful questions and to prove the
rigorous accuracy Of the Roman general in describing the
country he passed and tine works executed BY his
orders In this respect tho researches Of the French histo
nan must be looked upon as highly important.
Caesar had received from the Senate and people CON-
maud which comprised Transapine and Cisapine Gau
aud lra, but had not yet left Rome, when he learned
that the Hevcti, incommoded by of population
werc preparing in great numbers 10 invade the Roman
province the way establish themselves in the
try Of the SGntones (Saatong situated the shores
ofthe ocean, to the north OF tho GirOude Hurging by
forced marches the Rhone with only 10000 IL 900
infantry he met them between Lake Leman aud the Jura
threw up line of ntrenchments which prevented their
crossing the river and compeEed them aside toward
the west and seek passage to the Saone through the
Franche COmt6. While they engaged in this move
mcnt repaired 70 Csapne Gsu raised two egions with
maryelous rapidly, Aqules for three moro which
were in Winter quarters there and crossing the Alps again.
arrived two months aferward at the confluence Of the
Rhone and Sa6ne in time intercept the Helve in the
set Of crossing Attacking their mighty force while it
still bisected by the stream, he defeated them in de-
tail and at one blow DESTROYED their formidable exped
ton Ofhe 5000 who had out of Helyetia, only
10000 remained, and these submitted without
another battle He treated them kindly butcompeed them
10 return 70 their country, lest the Germans should
rush in from the north 10 occupy the places which
the engraDts had left In this, remarks the Emperor,
IN subsequent chapter he made calculation Of inter
est secondary TO high political sentiment and foreSaw
that Hcyeda by its geographical position was destined
to be bulwark against invasion from the North, and
that them as now important foF the power seated
on the Rhone and the Alps to have its Eastern front
iers friendly and independent people.
Cesar was now the arbitrator Of the dcstines Of large
part Of Gau the assembly of the Celts, held by his
permission at Ibracte invoked bis protection against the
German King Arovisius. II had always beeA part Of
the policy of the Republic says our AUTHOR "to extend
m influence By going to the succOr Of oppressed peoples
.bd, ne afterward adds, services rendered are very
soon forgotten when people their liberty and ndePe
sapce to foreign army" single battle the River
Thur finished the campaign We quote the account Of
this engagement as specimen OF his Msesys powers of
narration:
seeing that Arioyistus persisted in SHIFTING himself
up in Bis camp ard inercepng his communicating soug
recabish them, chose an Us ps' oo S
led fhitfer throe Ines nc Kept the ht
and second uuder arms aud employed third the
srSnchrents The spot on which he established himself j.
Derhaps enence situated on toe le Or 70 VIC V,t1
Sschwschausen Ariey sus sent bber about 1900 OF his
gbt aud all his cavalry inmdate the Romans and
impede the works. Nevertheless TIE hrd ane eon.nueu
S6eS Cesar len IN il Two legons and part Of the auI
iares and took the four others to the principal camp
The Roman camps were $6O0 metres dstan' IRON eacn
Hitberto Cesar Lad been satisfied with drawing ont his
troops and Sing hsm upon hs retrenehmen me mex
persisting ia his tactics institute moi Of trying to pro
woke AriOvstls to fight he drew them Up certain utanc
10 advance the principal camp and placed them W ofder
atfle Tnah, ssaoribps oasris proSres acien ssfr1t
In spite Of this advanced position e H qGid Arloristis
erssted in not eOung The Roman army reentcrd tne
tow ard and part Of the Germa AN troops lmihe
dateIy attacked the small camp Both armies i9lSAt esS
isel - ssn nat In spite Of this engagement