Retrospect of French Literature—History, — 
Naples once more, under a prince of bis 
own house. 
“© Histoire des Guerres des Gaulois 
et des Frangais en Italie,” &c. 5 vol. 8vo. 
—Hlistory ot the Wars of the Gauls, and 
the French in Italy, from the earliest Ac- 
counts to the present Times. By Wl. M. 
Jose, Servan, &c. 
The French have decidedly evinced a 
military genius, and are the first of the 
moderis who could be fairly considered 
as an armed nation. Under the old ino- 
narchy—eyen in the best days of Louis 
XLV. the arts of peace were sedulously 
cultivated ; but now every thing assumes 
a warlike aspect, and the whole empire 
breathes threats and defiance. In the 
work before us, the early exploits of 
the inhabitants of ancient Gaul in Italy 
are enumerated, while their late triumphs 
in the same quarter are brought for- 
ward in such a manier as to flatter the 
vanity of the people, and stimulate thein 
to new conquests. 
The first book presents a rapid picture 
of general history during a period of about 
ten centuries. For two hundred years, 
the Gauls are represented as menacing the 
existence of Rome itself, and for four, as 
repelling, breaking, or clanking with in- 
dignation, those very chains, which this 
same Rome, become mistress of nearly 
allthe habitable worid, had either threat- 
ened or imposed uponthem. At length, 
the very name of the Gauls was eclip- 
sed, but Rome herself became enfeebled, 
and the Roman empire crumbled into 
ruins. “There was however this differ- 
ence in their fate, that amidst their 
fallen state, still deriving their name 
from a large and celebrated city, the 
Romans transmitted it to the very barba- 
rians who came to subjugate them, while. 
the Gauls on the contrary, although al-— 
ways armed, and always formidable, first 
mixed and then were confounded with 
the Franks, whose origin was similar, 
and whose chiefs had delivered them 
from that tyrannical yoke, which they 
always bore with impatience.” 
Tracing effects up to their primitive 
causes, the author observes that the 
cratty policy of Rome obtained so many 
triumphs over the Gauls, in consequence 
of the divisions alone of that nation, 
which ought to have been firmly united, 
by a sense of commun interest, and of 
common danger. 
“hey were destitute of chiefs, be- 
cause they recognised a thousand leaders ; 
they were destitute of discipline, for they 
had the presumption to attempt to sup- 
645 
ply the want of it by bravery, without 
tactics, and alinost without arms, be- 
Cause science alone knows how to pro- 
fit by the lessons of experience; for en- 
lightened valour, is only the patrimony, 
apd the appavage of civilized na- 
tions.” 
We now arrive at the period, when 
Sigovesius, and Bellovesius, the nephews 
of one of the principal leaders of the 
Gauls, established two colonies, one in 
Germany, the other on the borders of 
the Po, and the Adige. A violent re- 
sentment occasioned by the denial of 
Justice, produced the famous expedition 
of Brennus; for the Roman Senate hav- 
ing sent ambassadors to Clusium, then 
besieged by him, the two Fabii offered 
their mediation. 
The Gallic chief having retorted their 
own arguments, and pleaded the cons 
duct of Rome herself in his justification, 
the Fabii from umpires became enemies, 
and in direct violation of their public 
characters, led the Clusians to battle. 
The senate not only refused to punish 
this infringement of the law of nations, 
but recompensed the violators, by nomi- 
nating them military tribunes. On this 
Brennus marched straight to Rome, 
where he remained during seven months. 
According to Livy, he abandoned a con- 
guest which he was unable to retain, at 
the end of this period; but the author 
before us, chose rather to follow Po- 
lybius, who affirms “ that the Romans 
sued for peace, and submitted to the 
terms which the Gauls were pleased to 
impose upon them.” 
M. Jube, who composed this portion 
of the work, observes, that it was the 
preference of the interest of one family, 
to the honor and safety of the common- 
wealth, which caused all the dangers and 
humiliations of the Roman republic. 
After enumerating the bloody proscrip- 
tions of Sylla, and the Trumviis, he re- 
marks, that “* the dictator Augustus, 
was at great pains to exclude from the 
camps, that ancient love for their coun- 
try, with which the soldiery had been 
formerly penetrated—that under him, 
the national pride having given place to 
military prejudices: henceforth it is in 
vain we search for those immortal traits 
of magnanimity, and devotion, which so 
long illustrated the Roman legions, now 
become a mere militia, to which the ri- 
gour of discipline became insupportable, 
and the title of citizen an outrage.” ~ 
The Gauls are represented as of great 
service to Cesar, during their civil war, 
they 
