362 Reflexions on History^ &V. 



more solicitous for the reputation of being 

 esteemed a maker of eloquent harangues than 

 Sallust. As of his prefaces it has been sarcas- 

 tically observed, that they appear to have been 

 prefixed by blunder to his two histories, so it 

 is certain, that either would suit the descrip- 

 tion of any corrupted, degenerate, ^r venal 

 period. Yet since Sallust lived in the times of 

 which he has written an account, it is candid 

 to suppose, that he has faithfully represented 

 the ideas of the orators whose speeches he has 

 given. But the uniformity of his style incon- 

 trovertibly establishes his claim to the compo- 

 sition. 



With more simplicity Cassar, in his Com- 

 mentaries, has imitated Xenophon, the natural 

 sweetness of whose style, has obtained him the 

 nai^e of the Athenian Bee. Yet, without 

 doubt, the Roman has exhibited traces of the 

 same fault, common to m>ost ancient historians, 

 of making orations for others. Excellent too, 

 as in many respects the writings both of Livy 

 and of Tacitus may justly be deemed, they 

 are deserving of blame on a similar account. 

 The copious magnificence of the one is indeed 

 so complete a contrast to the sententious bre- 

 vity of the other, that perhaps an historical 

 style equally remote from both extremes, would 

 be superior to either. — ^As the epitome of 



