354- NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



We hope, however, that the extracts we have given are sufficient to 

 shew the beauty and the energy with which the work is written, and 

 that the political maxims of Cicero will obtain some weight in the 

 present times, so rife with mutations in the government of states. It 

 ought not, however, to be forgotten that there are eome, who attack 

 the character of Cicero, impugn his political creed, designate him as 

 an enemy to liberty, nnd brand him with the foul names of a recreant 

 and an apostate. Such vile calumnies it is not our intention at pre- 

 sent to refute, though it would not be difficult to shew that Cicero 

 ever thought, spoke, and acted with a view to promote the welfare of 

 Rome, and was ever ready to sacrifice his time, his property, and his 

 feelings in the cause of his country, dying at last a martyr to the ex- 

 piring liberties of the world. But this work on the republic is of 

 itself a sufficient refutation ; the patriotic thoughts of a great man 

 breathe in every sentence and in every line. His dislike of tyranny, 

 his hatred of a despotic aristocracy, and his utter detestation of a 

 headstrong democracy, have evidently appeared in the preceding 

 pages. But disregarding such calumnious imputations, it is highly 

 encouraging to all aspirants in the walk of philosophy and of litera- 

 ture, to observe how the opinions of a man, perpetuated by works of 

 sublime genius and profound erudition, are still treated with respect 

 and veneration ; and that as centuries after centuries roll on, they 

 only seem to acquire greater influence, and to rivet their dominion 

 more firmly over the minds of mankind. Thus the name of Cicero is 

 never mentioned but with reverence by the learned in any quarter of 

 the civilized world ; andj while the conquests of Alexander and of 

 Caesar only serve for a passing theme to the moralist, or a subject for 

 the inspiration of the poet, the Roman orator still lives in all his ma- 

 jesty and grandeur ; his letters still delight, his eloquence still com- 

 mands the feelings of men, his works of deep philosophy are still un- 

 ceasingly admired, and his treatise on politics, this work on the 

 republic, is still venerated by the statesman, still instructs the poli- 

 tician by the truth of its maxims, and has ever been appealed to in 

 the British senate as an authority of indisputable weight. 



NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



CLOSE OP THE SESSION. The curtain has fallen on the first act 

 of the Reform Drama, without letting us know much of the plot of 

 the piece. An opinion of its progress or termination may be 

 hazarded, but only with safety by those who have had long expe- 

 rience on such a stage. For ourselves, we do not pretend to divi- 

 nation, but, from present appearances, it would seem that the authors 

 have determined upon playing a safe game, and have either no talent 

 for, or will not risk brilliancy or effect. They are satisfied to escape 

 damnation, and are not ambitious of unqualified success. In plain 

 words, the session having closed, the humblest may form his opinion 

 of its efficacy. 



