On Party-Prejudice. 13 
his party. Ifhe add craft and a command of tem- 
per to his other qualities, the danger is moré to be 
dreaded. . 
Cesar was daringly and artfully ambitious. 
Sprung from an illustrious line of ancestors, and 
endowed with extraordinary talents, he became a 
candidate for popular favour. He was eminently 
successful. His eloquence was employed in the 
impeachment of the guilty; and his compassion ex- 
erted in defending the innocent and oppressed. He 
riveted the affections of the people in pronouncing 
(contrary toan express law) a funeral oration, on the 
loss of his young wife. Plutarch remarks: “ They 
sympathized with him as a man of great good na- 
ture, and one who had the social duties at heart.” 
He was munificent in his bounty to distressed. citi- 
zens; and the manner of bestowing greatly enhanc- 
ed the value of the gift: Caesar dando, sublevando, 
gloriam adeptus est.* 
These fascinating qualities served but as a cloak 
to conceal his dangerous ambition. His apparent 
moderation, talents, and great military skill attracted 
a powerful support from the virtuous and well-mean- 
ing patriots. Their prejudices blinded their judg- 
ment. In vain did Cato declare his suspicions of 
the purity of Czsar’s motives. Cicero also failed 
in tearing away the mask. But the union of Cesar 
and Pompey, at last, too plainly discovered to the 
deluded but honest patriots, that a pretended shew 
* Sallust,. 
