JULIUS CAESAR. 153 



of government which conduced to their greatness; and 

 alludes to the peculiar isolation of the Eepublic rather as a 

 proof of their barbarous character than, as we have found 

 cause to consider it, an element and cause of their progress 

 and persistent success. He speaks of them indeed as the 

 normal type of a conquering race ; but very slightly shows 

 whence this type arose, or in what it consisted. 



He has justly and vividly depicted the increasing and 

 already intolerable corruption of Eome at the time when his 

 narrative opens. Many causes contributed to this ; none 

 more than the system of provincial rule. Consulships, and 

 other curule offices were sought for, not from regard to the 

 public weal, but as steps to the government of those pro- 

 vinces which yielded most ample spoil. No sovereignty so 

 harsh or destructive as that of a Eoman proconsul, fostering 

 his private vices, or forwarding the projects of his future 

 ambition, by the riches torn from his temporary subjects. 

 The recorded wealth of Crassus was less nefariously acquired ; 

 but the high position it gave in the commonwealth to a man 

 of his slender merit, strikingly illustrates the change of man- 

 ners that had taken place. The growth of the City, increas- 

 ing with that of dominion and citizenship, brought together 

 a base and brute multitude, alien to the glories of Rome, and 

 ignorant of the better institutions of the ancient time; 

 ready indeed to render service to any Catiline or Clodius who 

 might call them to the work of revolution and plunder. These 

 abuses had sunk so deeply into the morals and discipline of 

 the Republic, that the restoration of primitive ideas and usages 

 became impossible. It would have taken a whole generation 

 of Catos to accomplish it ; and of Catos more truly wise and 

 practical than he who has carried the name to posterity. 

 The institutions and virtues of Rome had alike decayed ; and 

 that decay was not the simple decrepitude of age, but the 

 worser disease of human passions let loose by prosperity and 



