34 



we see the history of Egypt formed an exception to the 

 general conclusion, respecting the state of men in society, 

 in the East; but none to the general conclusions, as to 

 the tendency of arbitrary governments, with respect to the 

 fine arts. We shall, perhaps, see hereafter, why Egypt 

 formed an exception, in the first respect, till she was over- 

 whelmed, with the rest of the world, by the policy and 

 military genius of Rome. 



It is equally easy to account for the flourishing state of 

 the ^He arts, in the Augustan age; and when the pheno- 

 menon comes to be explained, it supports the general the- 

 ory. Though the reign of Augustus was arbitrary in fact, 

 it was not so in appearance. The forms of a republic sub- 

 sisted; the senate met, and even preserved the appearance 

 of free debate. Consuls, and other magistrates, such as 

 were in use while Rome Avas free, continued to be elected, 

 or rather nominated; and possessed the ensigns and pa- 

 geantry, without the reality of power. The people were 

 still unbroken to the yoke. The memory of the fate of the 

 first Caesar was yet recent. The politic Augustus was un- 

 willing to irritate his subjects, by employing a galling curb, 



which 



bandage and veil of the tibicen : as may be seen, says Dr. Biirney, by a 

 beautiful amethyst, in the possession of the King of France; which is supposed 

 to have been engraved by command of Auletes, and worn by him, to gratify 

 his vanity, on account of his musical excellence. The name of Auletes is 

 seriously given to this prince, both by Cicero and Strabo, who was his co- 

 temporary. The former could not have meant any contempt, for he had ant 

 esteem for him. See Burney's History of Music, Vol. 1. p. 229. 



