GIBBON. 329 



cruelty and superstition, he makes " the former suggest the 

 means, the latter point out the objects of persecution :" (ch. 

 XVI.) now cruelty can never suggest means, it can only 

 induce the adoption of them, and superstition might just 

 as well suggest means as objects. Again, speaking of the 

 numbers of the empire and its public works, he says, "The 

 observation of the number and greatness of its cities will 

 serve to confirm the former, and to multiply the latter," 

 (ch. II.) : as if any observation of works could increase their 

 number ; but then the accurate phrase " to extend our 

 belief in the number of the latter/' would have spoilt the 

 symmetry and sound of the period. 



The historian's language, however, abounds in phrases 

 indolently adopted without any regard to the real mean- 

 ing of words, and not to serve any purpose of preserving 

 symmetry or obtaining point. Thus "human industry 

 corrected the deficiencies of nature," (ch. II.) instead of 

 supplied. So "the life of the founder supplies the silence 

 of his written revelation;" (ch. L.) instead of supplies the 

 deficiencies, or speaks when the writings are silent. 

 " Genius and learning served to harmonize the soul of 

 Longinus," (ch. XII.) " Two circumstances have been 

 universally mentioned, which insinuate that the treat- 

 ment," &c., (ch. XVI.) Again, " History, which under- 

 takes to record the transactions of the past, for the 

 instruction of future ages, would ill deserve that honour- 

 able office, if," &c., (ch. XVI.) instead of "execute" or 

 " perform." " Fraud is the resource of weakness." No 

 one doubts it; but he adds, "and cunning," which is, in 

 fact, either fraud or the immediate cause of it ; and no 

 one can correctly say that fraud is its resource, (ch. XLIX.) 

 Sometimes, in quest of a fine word, he says something 



