JULIUS CJESAR. 181 



On the one side we have the character and dignity of Caesar, 

 the power he had acquired, and the prospect of this power 

 being permanent as a new form of Roman rule : on the 

 other side, the publicity of the assassination, and the condi- 

 tion and qualities of the men whose swords were thus 



made rich 

 With the most noble blood of all this world. 



The death of Caesar, like that of Cato, has almost lost its 

 historical character in the poetry and romance of later times, 

 which have appropriated to themselves an event thus signal 

 in all its circumstances. Shakspeare probably comes nearest, 

 as he generally does by his almost superhuman instinct, to 

 the reality of the case. His Cassius, too, is at once a faithful 

 transcript from history, and a picture of the jealous and am- 

 bitious conspirator of all ages. The Brutus of his play was 

 necessary to the dramatic effect which he so well understood ; 

 and accordingly we find that, while closely adhering to 

 historical truth in most parts, he has pitched the character 

 of the Roman patriot somewhat higher than the level 

 assigned by contemporary authorities. History has been 

 defined ' philosophy teaching by examples ; ' but we have little 

 faith in the force of such examples, as opposed to living and 

 current events ; and, removing all artificial colouring from 

 the act before us, we are disposed to regard it as the result of 

 jealousy, ambition, and other personal feelings, much more 

 than of the pure love of liberty or the desire of restoring 

 the grandeur of Rome. The assassination of Caesar inflicted 

 another civil war on the State, without really retarding the 

 great change which was on the eve of accomplishment. Had 

 his life been prolonged, it is probable that his enlightened 

 vigour of administration would have given a better basis to 

 the empire, and a higher model and precept to his successors, 

 than the more subtle and temporising reign of Augustus was 

 able afterwards to afford. 



