JULIUS CAESAR. 169 



Caesar subdued the whole of Graul a mighty and a terrible 

 work. We do not give ready belief to historical numbers, 

 more especially when fields of battle are concerned ; but where 

 the struggle was so fierce, and the conquest so complete and 

 lasting, we are obliged to think it probable that the estimate 

 of more than a million of Grauls perishing in these campaigns 

 is not above the truth. It is one of the many unhappinesses 

 of war in every age, that by its absolute or supposed neces- 

 sities, it leads to acts of cruelty and bloodshed, even where 

 most alien to the feelings of those who conduct it. We have 

 no reason to charge the character of Caesar with inhumanity, 

 or that gross indifference to human life which Marius and 

 Sylla displayed throughout. On the contrary, we have many 

 instances on record of his personal humanity and forbearance. 

 But the history of these Grallic wars is undoubtedly one of 

 profuse bloodshed ; the natural result of a struggle between 

 disciplined legions and undisciplined multitudes ; of criti- 

 cal positions in the midst of an enemy's country, necessitous 

 in loco, solus ex victoria ; of exasperation of the soldiery ; 

 and of intimidation used as an instrument of success. 

 Our vindication can go no further than this ; unless, indeed, 

 we were to find it in a parallel with the wars of Frederic 

 and Napoleon, an argument upon which we have neither 

 room nor disposition to enter. 



The two invasions of Britain and the passages of the Rhine 

 are episodes in his history, chiefly remarkable as proofs of 

 the indomitable boldness of Caesar who thus adventured on 

 new lands while those behind him were yet but half subdued. 

 In the fame however, and the fear which followed these deeds, 

 he found an ample equivalent to the risk incurred. At 

 Eome, as well as in Graul, his passage to Britain was a step 

 towards empire*; while, to a mind thus instructed and 

 enlightened, there must have been a further interest in this 

 new land and people beyond the sea. We possess some 



