PREFACE。

LordMacaulayalwayslookedforwardtoapublicationofhismiscellaneousworks，eitherbyhimselforbythosewhoshouldrepresenthimafterhisdeath。Andlatterlyheexpresslyreserved，wheneverthearrangementsastocopyrightmadeitnecessary，therightofsuchpublication。

Thecollectionwhichisnowpublishedcomprehendssomeoftheearliestandsomeofthelatestworkswhichhecomposed。Hewasbornon25thOctober，1800;commencedresidenceatTrinityCollege，Cambridge，inOctober，1818;waselectedCravenUniversityScholarin1821;graduatedasB。A。in1822;waselectedfellowofthecollegeinOctober，1824;wascalledtothebarinFebruary，1826，whenhejoinedtheNorthernCircuit;andwaselectedmemberforCalnein1830。Afterthislastevent，hedidnotlongcontinuetopractiseatthebar。HewenttoIndiain1834，whencehereturnedinJune，1838。HewaselectedmemberforEdinburgh，in1839，andlostthisseatinJuly，1847;andthis（thoughhewasafterwardsagainelectedforthatcityinJuly，1852，withoutbeingacandidate）maybeconsideredasthelastinstanceofhistakinganactivepartinthecontestsofpubliclife。Thesefewdatesarementionedforthepurposeofenablingthereadertoassignthearticles，nowandpreviouslypublished，totheprincipalperiodsintowhichtheauthor’slifemaybedivided。

Theadmirersofhislaterworkswillprobablybeinterestedbywatchingthegradualformationofhisstyle，andwillnoticeinhisearlierproductions，vigorousandclearastheirlanguagealwayswas，theoccurrenceoffaultsagainstwhichheafterwardsmostanxiouslyguardedhimself。Amuchgreaterinterestwillundoubtedlybefeltintracingthedateanddevelopmentofhisopinions。

ThearticlespublishedinKnight’sQuarterlyMagazinewerecomposedduringtheauthor’sresidenceatcollege，asB。A。Itmayberemarkedthatthefirsttwooftheseexhibittheearnestnesswithwhichhealreadyendeavouredtorepresenttohimselfandtoothersthescenesandpersonsofpasttimesasinactualexistence。OftheDialoguebetweenMiltonandCowleyhespoke，manyyearsafteritspublication，asthatoneofhisworkswhichherememberedwithmostsatisfaction。ThearticleonMitford’sGreecehedidnothimselfvaluesohighlyasothersthoughtitdeserved。Thisarticle，atanyrate，containsthefirstdistinctenunciationofhisviews，astotheofficeofanhistorian，viewsafterwardsmorefullysetforthinhisEssay，uponHistory，intheEdinburghReview。Fromtheprotest，inthelastmentionedessay，againsttheconventionalnotionsrespectingthemajestyofhistorymightperhapshavebeenanticipatedsomethinglikethethirdchapteroftheHistoryofEngland。ItmaybeamusingtonoticethatinthearticleonMitford，appearsthefirstsketchoftheNewZealander，afterwardsfilledupinapassageinthereviewofMrsAustin’stranslationofRanke，apassagewhichatonetimewasthesubjectofallusion，twoorthreetimesaweek，inspeechesandleadingarticles。Inthis，too，appear，perhapsforthefirsttime，theauthor’sviewsontherepresentativesystem。Theseheretainedtotheverylast;

theyarebroughtforwardrepeatedlyinthearticlespublishedinthiscollectionandelsewhere，andinhisspeechesinparliament;

andtheycoincidewiththeopinionsexpressedinthelettertoanAmericancorrespondent，whichwassooftencitedinthelatedebateontheReformBill。

Someexplanationappearstobenecessaryastothepublicationofthethreearticles"MillonGovernment，""WestminsterReviewer’sDefenceofMill"and"UtilitarianTheoryofGovernment。"

In1828MrJamesMill，theauthoroftheHistoryofBritishIndia，reprintedsomeessayswhichhehadcontributedtotheSupplementtotheEncyclopaediaBritannica;andamongthesewasanEssayonGovernment。ThemethodofinquiryandreasoningadoptedinthisessayappearedtoMacaulaytobeessentiallywrong。HeentertainedaverystrongconvictionthattheonlysoundfoundationforatheoryofGovernmentmustbelaidincarefulandcopioushistoricalinduction;andhebelievedthatMrMill’sworkresteduponaviciousreasoningapriori。Uponthispointhefeltthemoreearnestly，owingtohisownpassionforhistoricalresearch，andtohisdevoutadmirationofBacon，whoseworkshewasatthattimestudyingwithintenseattention。Therecan，however，belittledoubtthathewasalsoprovokedbythepretensionsofsomemembersofasectwhichthencommonlywentbythenameofBenthamites，orUtilitarians。Thissectincludedmanyofhiscontemporaries，whohadquittedCambridgeataboutthesametimewithhim。Ithadsucceeded，insomemeasure，tothesectoftheByronians，whomhehasdescribedinthereviewofMoore’sLifeofLordByron，whodiscardedtheirneckcloths，andfixedlittlemodelsofskullsonthesand—glassesbywhichtheyregulatedtheboilingoftheireggsforbreakfast。Themembersofthesesects，andofmanyothersthathavesucceeded，haveprobablylongagolearnedtosmileatthetemporaryhumours。ButMacaulay，himselfasincereadmirerofBentham，wasirritatedbywhatheconsideredtheunwarrantedtoneassumedbyseveraloftheclassofUtilitarians。"Weapprehend，"hesaid，"thatmanyofthemarepersonswho，havingreadlittleornothing，aredelightedtoberescuedfromthesenseoftheirowninferioritybysometeacherwhoassuresthemthatthestudieswhichtheyhaveneglectedareofnovalue，putsfiveorsixphrasesintotheirmouths，lendsthemanoddnumberoftheWestminsterReview，andinamonthtransformsthemintophilosophers;"andhespokeofthemas"smatterers，whoseattainmentsjustsufficetoelevatethemfromtheinsignificanceofduncestothedignityofbores，andtospreaddismayamongtheirpiousauntsandgrandmothers。"

Thesect，ofcourse，likeothersects，comprehendedsomepretenders，andthesethemostarrogantandintolerantamongitsmembers。He，however，wentsofarastoapplythefollowinglanguagetothemajority:——"Astothegreaterpartofthesect，itis，weapprehend，oflittleconsequencewhattheystudyorunderwhom。Itwouldbemoreamusing，tobesure，andmorereputable，iftheywouldtakeuptheoldrepublicancantanddeclaimaboutBrutusandTimoleon，thedutyofkillingtyrantsandtheblessednessofdyingforliberty。But，onthewhole，theymighthavechosenworse。TheymayaswellbeUtilitariansasjockeysordandies。And，thoughquibblingaboutself—interestandmotives，andobjectsofdesire，andthegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumber，isbutapooremploymentforagrownman，itcertainlyhurtsthehealthlessthanharddrinkingandthefortunelessthanhighplay;itisnotmuchmorelaughablethanphrenology，andisimmeasurablymorehumanethancock—fighting。"

MacaulayinsertedintheEdinburghReviewofMarch，1829，anarticleuponMrMill’sEssay。Heattackedthemethodwithmuchvehemence;and，totheendofhislife，heneversawanygroundforbelievingthatinthishehadgonetoofar。ButbeforelonghefeltthathehadnotspokenoftheauthoroftheEssaywiththerespectduetosoeminentaman。In1833，hedescribedMrmill，duringthedebateontheIndiaBillofthatyear，asa"gentlemanextremelywellacquaintedwiththeaffairsofourEasternEmpire，amostvaluableservantoftheCompany，andtheauthorofahistoryofIndia，which，thoughcertainlynotfreefromfaults，is，Ithink，onthewhole，thegreatesthistoricalworkwhichhasappearedinourlanguagesincethatofGibbon。"

AlmostimmediatelyupontheappearanceofthearticleintheEdinburghReview，ananswerwaspublishedintheWestminsterReview。Itwasuntrulyattributed，inthenewspapersoftheday，toMrBenthamhimself。Macaulay’sanswertothisappearedintheEdinburghReview，June，1829。HewrotetheanswerunderthebeliefthathewasansweringMrBentham，andwasundeceivedintimeonlytoaddthepostscript。TheauthorofthearticleintheWestminsterReviewhadnotperceivedthatthequestionraisedwasnotastothetruthorfalsehoodoftheresultatwhichMrMillhadarrived，butastothesoundnessorunsoundnessofthemethodwhichhepursued;amisunderstandingatwhichMacaulay，whilehesupposedthearticletobetheworkofMrBentham，expressedmuchsurprise。ThecontroversysoonbecameprincipallyadisputeastothetheorywhichwascommonlyknownbythenameofTheGreatestHappinessPrinciple。AnotherarticleintheWestminsterReviewfollowed;andasurrejoinderbyMacaulayintheEdinburghReviewofOctober，1829。Macaulaywasirritatedatwhatheconceivedtobeeitherextremedullnessorgrossunfairnessonthepartofhisunknownantagonist，andstruckashardashecould;andhestruckveryhardindeed。

TheethicalquestionthusraisedwasafterwardsdiscussedbySirJamesMackintosh，intheDissertationcontributedbyhimtotheseventheditionoftheEncyclopaediaBritannica，page284—313

（Whewell’sEdition）。SirJamesMackintoshnoticestheparttakeninthecontroversybyMacaulay，inthefollowingwords:"A

writerofconsummateability，whohasfailedinlittlebuttherespectduetotheabilitiesandcharacterofhisopponents，hasgiventoomuchcountenancetotheabuseandconfusionoflanguageexemplifiedinthewell—knownverseofPope，’Modesofself—lovethePassionswemaycall。’

’Weknow，’sayshe，’nouniversalpropositionrespectinghumannaturewhichistruebutone——thatmenalwaysactfromself—

interest。’""Itismanifestfromthesequel，thatthewriterisnotthedupeoftheconfusion;butmanyofhisreadersmaybeso。

If，indeed，theword"self—interest"couldwithproprietybeusedforthegratificationofeveryprevalentdesire，hehasclearlyshownthatthischangeinthesignificationoftermswouldbeofnoadvantagetothedoctrinewhichhecontroverts。Itwouldmakeasmanysortsofself—interestasthereareappetites，anditisirreconcilablyatvariancewiththesystemofassociationproposedbyMrMill。""Theadmirablewriterwhoselanguagehasoccasionedthisillustration，whoatanearlyagehasmasteredeveryspeciesofcomposition，willdoubtlessholdfasttosimplicity，whichsurvivesallthefashionsofdeviationfromit，andwhichamanofgeniussofertilehasfewtemptationstoforsake。"

WhenMacaulayselectedforpublicationcertainarticlesoftheEdinburghReview，heresolvednottopublishanyofthethreeessaysinquestion;forwhichheassignedthefollowingreason:——

"TheauthorhasbeenstronglyurgedtoinsertthreepapersontheUtilitarianPhilosophy，which，whentheyfirstappeared，attractedsomenotice，butwhicharenotintheAmericaneditions。Hehashoweverdeterminedtoomitthesepapers，notbecauseheisdisposedtoretractasingledoctrinewhichtheycontain，butbecauseheisunwillingtoofferwhatmightberegardedasanaffronttothememoryofonefromwhoseopinionshestillwidelydissents，buttowhosetalentsandvirtuesheadmitsthatheformerlydidnotdojustice。SeriousasarethefaultsoftheEssayonGovernment，acritic，whilenoticingthosefaults，shouldhaveabstainedfromusingcontemptuouslanguagerespectingthehistorianofBritishIndia。ItoughttobeknownthatMrMillhadthegenerosity，notonlytoforgive，buttoforgettheunbecomingacrimonywithwhichhehadbeenassailed，andwas，whenhisvaluablelifeclosed，ontermsofcordialfriendshipwithhisassailant。"

Underthesecircumstances，considerabledoubthasbeenfeltastotheproprietyofrepublishingthethreeEssaysinthepresentcollection。Butithasbeendetermined，notwithoutmuchhesitation，thattheyshouldappear。ItisfeltthatnodisrespectisshowntothememoryofMrMill，whenthepublicationisaccompaniedbysofullanapologyforthetoneadoptedtowardshim;andMrMillhimselfwouldhavebeenthelasttowishforthesuppressionofopinionsonthegroundthattheywereinexpressantagonismtohisown。Thegravehasnowclosedupontheassailantaswellastheassailed。Ontheotherhand，itcannotbutbedesirablethatopinionswhichtheauthorretainedtothelast，onimportantquestionsinpoliticsandmorals，shouldbebeforethepublic。

Someofthepoemsnowcollectedhavealreadyappearedinprint;

othersaresuppliedbytherecollectionoffriends。Thefirsttwoarepublishedonaccountoftheirhavingbeencomposedintheauthor’schildhood。Inthepoems，aswellasintheproseworks，willbeoccasionallyfoundthoughtsandexpressionswhichhaveafterwardsbeenadoptedinlaterproductions。

Noalterationwhateverhasbeenmadefromtheforminwhichtheauthorlefttheseveralarticles，withtheexceptionofsomechangesinpunctuation，andthecorrectionofoneortwoobviousmisprints。

T。F。E。

London，June1860。

CONTENTS。

CONTRIBUTIONSTOKNIGHT’SQUARTERLYMAGAZINE。

FragmentsofaRomanTale。（June1823。）

OntheRoyalSocietyofLiterature。（June1823。）

Scenesfrom"AthenianRevels。"（January1824。）

CriticismsonthePrincipalItalianWriters。No。I。Dante。

（January1824。）

CriticismsonthePrincipalItalianWriters。No。II。Petrarch。

（April1824。）

SomeaccountoftheGreatLawsuitbetweentheParishesofStDennisandStGeorgeintheWater。（April1824。）

AConversationbetweenMrAbrahamCowleyandMrJohnMilton，touchingtheGreatCivilWar。（August1824。）

OntheAthenianOrators。（August1824。）

APropheticAccountofaGrandNationalEpicPoem，tobeentitled"TheWellingtoniad，"andtobePublishedA。D。2824。（November1824。）

OnMitford’sHistoryofGreece。（November1824。）

MISCELLANEOUSWRITINGSOFLORDMACAULAY。

CONTRIBUTIONSTOKNIGHT’SQUARTERLYMAGAZINE。

FRAGMENTSOFAROMANTALE。

（June1823。）

Itwasanhourafternoon。LigariuswasreturningfromtheCampusMartius。HestrolledthroughoneofthestreetswhichledtotheForum，settlinghisgown，andcalculatingtheoddsonthegladiatorswhoweretofenceattheapproachingSaturnalia。

Whilethusoccupied，heovertookFlaminius，who，withaheavystepandamelancholyface，wassaunteringinthesamedirection。

Thelight—heartedyoungmanpluckedhimbythesleeve。

"Good—day，Flaminius。AreyoutobeofCatiline’spartythisevening？"

"NotI。"

"Whyso？YourlittleTarentinegirlwillbreakherheart。"

"Nomatter。CatilinehasthebestcooksandthefinestwineinRome。Therearecharmingwomenathisparties。Butthetwelve—

lineboardandthedice—boxpayforall。TheGodsconfoundmeifIdidnotlosetwomillionsofsesterceslastnight。MyvillaatTibur，andallthestatuesthatmyfatherthepraetorbroughtfromEphesus，mustgototheauctioneer。Thatisahighprice，youwillacknowledge，evenforPhoenicopters，Chian，andCallinice。"

"Highindeed，byPollux。"

"Andthatisnottheworst。Isawseveraloftheleadingsenatorsthismorning。Strangethingsarewhisperedinthehigherpoliticalcircles。"

"TheGodsconfoundthepoliticalcircles。IhavehatedthenameofpoliticianeversinceSylla’sproscription，whenIwaswithinamomentofhavingmythroatcutbyapolitician，whotookmeforanotherpolitician。WhilethereisacaskofFalernianinCampania，oragirlintheSuburra，Ishallbetoowellemployedtothinkonthesubject。"

"Youwilldowell，"saidFlaminiusgravely，"tobestowsomelittleconsiderationuponitatpresent。Otherwise，Ifear，youwillsoonrenewyouracquaintancewithpoliticians，inamannerquiteasunpleasantasthattowhichyouallude。"

"AvertingGods！whatdoyoumean？"

"Iwilltellyou。Therearerumoursofconspiracy。TheorderofthingsestablishedbyLuciusSyllahasexcitedthedisgustofthepeople，andofalargepartyofthenobles。Someviolentconvulsionisexpected。"

"Whatisthattome？Isupposethattheywillhardlyproscribethevintnersandgladiators，orpassalawcompellingeverycitizentotakeawife。"

"Youdonotunderstand。Catilineissupposedtobetheauthoroftherevolutionaryschemes。Youmusthaveheardboldopinionsathistablerepeatedly。"

"Ineverlistentoanyopinionsuponsuchsubjects，boldortimid。"

"Looktoit。Yournamehasbeenmentioned。"

"Mine！goodGods！IcallHeaventowitnessthatIneversomuchasmentionedSenate，Consul，orComitia，inCatiline’shouse。"

"Nobodysuspectsyouofanyparticipationintheinmostcounselsoftheparty。Butourgreatmensurmisethatyouareamongthosewhomhehasbribedsohighwithbeauty，orentangledsodeeplyindistress，thattheyarenolongertheirownmasters。Ishallneversetfootwithinhisthresholdagain。Ihavebeensolemnlywarnedbymenwhounderstandpublicaffairs;andIadviseyoutobecautious。"

ThefriendshadnowturnedintotheForum，whichwasthrongedwiththegayandelegantyouthofRome。"Icantellyoumore，"

continuedFlaminius;"somebodywasremarkingtotheConsulyesterdayhowlooselyacertainacquaintanceofourstiedhisgirdle。’Lethimlooktohimself;’saidCicero，’orthestatemayfindatightergirdleforhisneck。’"

"GoodGods！whoisit？Youcannotsurelymean"——

"Thereheis。"

FlaminiuspointedtoamanwhowaspacingupanddowntheForumatalittledistancefromthem。Hewasintheprimeofmanhood。

Hispersonaladvantageswereextremelystriking，andweredisplayedwithanextravagantbutnotungracefulfoppery。Hisgownwavedinloosefolds;hislongdarkcurlsweredressedwithexquisiteart，andshoneandsteamedwithodours;hisstepandgestureexhibitedanelegantandcommandingfigureineverypostureofpolitelanguor。Buthiscountenanceformedasingularcontrasttothegeneralappearanceofhisperson。Thehighandimperialbrow，thekeenaquilinefeatures，thecompressedmouth;

thepenetratingeye，indicatedthehighestdegreeofabilityanddecision。Heseemedabsorbedinintensemeditation。Witheyesfixedontheground，andlipsworkinginthought，hesaunteredroundthearea，apparentlyunconscioushowmanyoftheyounggallantsofRomewereenvyingthetasteofhisdress，andtheeaseofhisfashionablestagger。

"GoodHeaven！"saidLigarius，"CaiusCaesarisasunlikelytobeinaplotasIam。"

"Notatall。"

"Hedoesnothingbutgame;feast，intrigue，readGreek，andwriteverses。"

"YouknownothingofCaesar。ThoughherarelyaddressestheSenate，heisconsideredasthefinestspeakerthere，aftertheConsul。Hisinfluencewiththemultitudeisimmense。HewillservehisrivalsinpubliclifeasheservedmelastnightatCatiline’s。Wewereplayingatthetwelvelines。（Duodecimscripta，agameofmixedchanceandskill，whichseemstohavebeenveryfashionableinthehighercirclesofRome。ThefamouslawyerMuciuswasrenownedforhisskillinit。——（"Cic。Orat。"i。

50。）——Immensestakes。Helaughedallthetime，chattedwithValeriaoverhisshoulder，kissedherhandbetweeneverytwomoves，andscarcelylookedattheboard。IthoughtthatIhadhim。AllatonceIfoundmycountersdrivenintothecorner。

Notapiecetomove，byHercules。Itcostmetwomillionsofsesterces。AlltheGodsandGoddessesconfoundhimforit！"

"AstoValeria，"saidLigarius，"Iforgottoaskwhetheryouhaveheardthenews。"

"Notaword。What？"

"Iwastoldatthebathsto—daythatCaesarescortedtheladyhome。UnfortunatelyoldQuintusLutatiushadcomebackfromhisvillainCampania，inawhimofjealousy。Hewasnotexpectedforthreedays。Therewasafinetumult。Theoldfoolcalledforhisswordandhisslaves，cursedhiswife，andsworethathewouldcutCaesar’sthroat。"

"AndCaesar？"

"Helaughed，quotedAnacreon，trussedhisgownroundhisleftarm，closedwithQuintus，flunghimdown，twistedhisswordoutofhishand，burstthroughtheattendants，ranafreed—manthroughtheshoulder，andwasinthestreetinaninstant。"

"Welldone！Herehecomes。Good—day，Caius。"

Caesarliftedhisheadatthesalutation。Hisairofdeepabstractionvanished;andheextendedahandtoeachofthefriends。

"Howareyouafteryourlastnight’sexploit？"

"Aswellaspossible，"saidCaesar，laughing。

"IntruthweshouldratheraskhowQuintusLutatiusis。"

"He，Iunderstand，isaswellascanbeexpectedofamanwithafaithlessspouseandabrokenhead。Hisfreed—manismostseriouslyhurt。Poorfellow！heshallhavehalfofwhateverI

winto—night。Flaminius，youshallhaveyourrevengeatCatiline’s。"

"Youareverykind。IdonotintendtobeatCatiline’stillI

wishtopartwithmytown—house。Myvillaisgonealready。"

"NotatCatiline’s，basespirit！Youarenotofhismind，mygallantLigarius。Dice，Chian，andtheloveliestGreeksinginggirlthatwaseverseen。Thinkofthat，Ligarius。ByVenus，shealmostmademeadoreher，bytellingmethatItalkedGreekwiththemostAtticaccentthatshehadheardinItaly。"

"Idoubtshewillnotsaythesameofme，"repliedLigarius。"I

amjustasabletodecipheranobeliskastoreadalineofHomer。"

"YoubarbarousScythian，whohadthecareofyoureducation？"

"Anoldfool，——aGreekpedant，——aStoic。Hetoldmethatpainwasnoevil，andfloggedmeasifhethoughtso。Atlastoneday，inthemiddleofalecture，Isetfiretohisenormousfilthybeard，singedhisface，andsenthimroaringoutofthehouse。Thereendedmystudies。FromthattimetothisIhavehadaslittletodowithGreeceasthewinethatyourpooroldfriendLutatiuscallshisdeliciousSamian。"

"Welldone，Ligarius。IhateaStoic。IwishMarcusCatohadabeardthatyoumightsingeitforhim。ThefooltalkedhistwohoursintheSenateyesterday，withoutchangingamuscleofhisface。HelookedassavageandasmotionlessasthemaskinwhichRosciusactedAlecto。Idetesteverythingconnectedwithhim。"

"Excepthissister，Servilia。"

"True。Sheisalovelywoman。"

"Theysaythatyouhavetoldherso，Caius"

"SoIhave。"

"Andthatshewasnotangry。"

"Whatwomanis？"

"Aye——buttheysay"——

"Nomatterwhattheysay。CommonfamelieslikeaGreekrhetorician。Youmightknowsomuch，Ligarius，withoutreadingthephilosophers。Butcome，Iwillintroduceyoutolittledark—

eyedZoe。"

"ItellyouIcanspeaknoGreek。"

"Moreshameforyou。Itishightimethatyoushouldbegin。Youwillneverhavesuchacharminginstructress。OfwhatwasyourfatherthinkingwhenhesentforanoldStoicwithalongbeardtoteachyou？Thereisnolanguage—mistresslikeahandsomewoman。WhenIwasatAthens，IlearntmoreGreekfromaprettyflower—girlinthePeiraeusthanfromallthePorticoandtheAcademy。ShewasnoStoic，Heavenknows。ButcomealongtoZoe。

Iwillbeyourinterpreter。WooherinhonestLatin，andIwillturnitintoelegantGreekbetweenthethrowsofdice。Icanmakeloveandmindmygameatonce，asFlaminiuscantellyou。

"Well，then，tobeplain，Caesar，Flaminiushasbeentalkingtomeaboutplots，andsuspicions，andpoliticians。IneverplaguedmyselfwithsuchthingssinceSylla’sandMarius’sdays;andthenInevercouldseemuchdifferencebetweentheparties。AllthatIamsureofis，thatthosewhomeddlewithsuchaffairsaregenerallystabbedorstrangled。And，thoughIlikeGreekwineandhandsomewomen，Idonotwishtoriskmyneckforthem。Now，tellmeasafriend，Caius——istherenodanger？"

"Danger！"repeatedCaesar，withashort，fierce，disdainfullaugh:"whatdangerdoyouapprehend？"

"Thatyoushouldbestknow，"saidFlaminius;"youarefarmoreintimatewithCatilinethanI。ButIadviseyoutobecautious。

Theleadingmenentertainstrongsuspicions。"

Caesardrewuphisfigurefromitsordinarystateofgracefulrelaxationintoanattitudeofcommandingdignity，andrepliedinavoiceofwhichthedeepandimpassionedmelodyformedastrangecontrasttothehumorousandaffectedtoneofhisordinaryconversation。"Letthemsuspect。Theysuspectbecausetheyknowwhattheyhavedeserved。WhathavetheydoneforRome？——Whatformankind？Askthecitizens——asktheprovinces。Havetheyhadanyotherobjectthantoperpetuatetheirownexclusivepower，andtokeepusundertheyokeofanoligarchicaltyranny，whichunitesinitselftheworstevilsofeveryothersystem，andcombinesmorethanAthenianturbulencewithmorethanPersiandespotism？"

"GoodGods！Caesar。Itisnotsafeforyoutospeak，orforustolistento，suchthings，atsuchacrisis。"

"Judgeforyourselveswhatyouwillhear。IwilljudgeformyselfwhatIwillspeak。IwasnottwentyyearsoldwhenI

defiedLuciusSylla，surroundedbythespearsoflegionariesandthedaggersofassassins。DoyousupposethatIstandinaweofhispaltrysuccessors，whohaveinheritedapowerwhichtheynevercouldhaveacquired;whowouldimitatehisproscriptions，thoughtheyhaveneverequalledhisconquests？"

"PompeyisalmostaslittletobetrifledwithasSylla。Iheardaconsularsenatorsaythat，inconsequenceofthepresentalarmingstateofaffairs，hewouldprobablyberecalledfromthecommandassignedtohimbytheManilianlaw。"

"Lethimcome，——thepupilofSylla’sbutcheries，——thegleanerofLucullus’strophies，——thethief—takeroftheSenate。"

"ForHeaven’ssake，Caius！——ifyouknewwhattheConsulsaid"——

"Somethingabouthimself，nodoubt。Pitythatsuchtalentsshouldbecoupledwithsuchcowardiceandcoxcombry。Heisthefinestspeakerliving，——infinitelysuperiortowhatHortensiuswas，inhisbestdays;——acharmingcompanion，exceptwhenhetellsoverforthetwentiethtimeallthejokesthathemadeatVerres’strial。Butheisthedespicabletoolofadespicableparty。"

"Yourlanguage，Caius，convincesmethatthereportswhichhavebeencirculatedarenotwithoutfoundation。IwillventuretoprophesythatwithinafewmonthstherepublicwillpassthroughawholeOdysseyofstrangeadventures。"

"Ibelieveso;anOdyssey，ofwhichPompeywillbethePolyphemus，andCicerotheSiren。IwouldhavethestateimitateUlysses:shownomercytotheformer;butcontrive，ifitcanbedone，tolistentotheenchantingvoiceoftheother，withoutbeingseducedbyittodestruction。"

"Butwhomcanyourpartyproduceasrivalstothesetwofamousleaders？"

"Timewillshow。Iwouldhopethattheremayariseaman，whosegeniustoconquer，toconciliate，andtogovern，mayuniteinonecauseanoppressedanddividedpeople;——maydoallthatSyllashouldhavedone，andexhibitthemagnificentspectacleofagreatnationdirectedbyagreatmind。"

"Andwhereissuchamantobefound？"

"Perhapswhereyouwouldleastexpecttofindhim。Perhapshemaybeonewhosepowershavehithertobeenconcealedindomesticorliteraryretirement。Perhapshemaybeone，who，whilewaitingforsomeadequateexcitement，forsomeworthyopportunity，squandersontriflesageniusbeforewhichmayyetbehumbledtheswordofPompeyandthegownofCicero。Perhapshemaynowbedisputingwithasophist;perhapsprattlingwithamistress;perhaps"and，ashespoke，heturnedaway，andresumedhislounge，"strollingintheForum。"……

Itwasalmostmidnight。Thepartyhadseparated。CatilineandCetheguswerestillconferringinthesupper—room，whichwas，asusual，thehighestapartmentofthehouse。Itformedacupola，fromwhichwindowsopenedontheflatroofthatsurroundedit。

TothisterraceZoehadretired。Witheyesdimmedwithfondandmelancholytears，sheleanedoverthebalustrade，tocatchthelastglimpseofthedepartingformofCaesar，asitgrewmoreandmoreindistinctinthemoonlight。Hadheanythoughtofher？

Anyloveforher？He，thefavouriteofthehigh—bornbeautiesofRome，themostsplendid，themostgraceful，themosteloquentofitsnobles？Itcouldnotbe。Hisvoicehad，indeed，beentouchinglysoftwheneverheaddressedher。Therehadbeenafascinatingtendernesseveninthevivacityofhislookandconversation。ButsuchwerealwaysthemannersofCaesartowardswomen。Hehadwreathedasprigofmyrtleinherhairasshewassinging。Shetookitfromherdarkringlets，andkissedit，andweptoverit，andthoughtofthesweetlegendsofherowndearGreece，——ofyouthsandgirls，who，piningawayinhopelesslove，hadbeentransformedintoflowersbythecompassionoftheGods;

andshewishedtobecomeaflower，whichCaesarmightsometimestouch，thoughheshouldtouchitonlytoweaveacrownforsomeprouderandhappiermistress。

ShewasrousedfromhermusingsbytheloudstepandvoiceofCethegus，whowaspacingfuriouslyupanddownthesupper—room。

"MayalltheGodsconfoundme，ifCaesarbenotthedeepesttraitor，orthemostmiserableidiot，thateverintermeddledwithaplot！"

Zoeshuddered。Shedrewnearertothewindow。Shestoodconcealedfromobservationbythecurtainoffinenetworkwhichhungovertheaperture，toexcludetheannoyinginsectsoftheclimate。

"Andyoutoo！"continuedCethegus，turningfiercelyonhisaccomplice;"youtotakehispartagainstme！——you，whoproposedtheschemeyourself！"

"MydearCaiusCethegus，youwillnotunderstandme。Iproposedthescheme;andIwilljoininexecutingit。Butpolicyisasnecessarytoourplansasboldness。IdidnotwishtostartleCaesar——tolosehisco—operation——perhapstosendhimoffwithaninformationagainstustoCiceroandCatulus。Hewassoindignantatyoursuggestionthatallmydissimulationwasscarcelysufficienttopreventatotalrupture。"

"Indignant！TheGodsconfoundhim！——Hepratedabouthumanity，andgenerosity，andmoderation。ByHercules，IhavenotheardsuchalecturesinceIwaswithXenocharesatRhodes。"

"Caesarismadeupofinconsistencies。Hehasboundlessambition，unquestionedcourage，admirablesagacity。YetIhavefrequentlyobservedinhimawomanishweaknessatthesightofpain。Irememberthatonceoneofhisslaveswastakenillwhilecarryinghislitter。Healighted，putthefellowinhisplaceandwalkedhomeinafallofsnow。Iwonderthatyoucouldbesoill—advisedastotalktohimofmassacre，andpillage，andconflagration。Youmighthaveforeseenthatsuchpropositionswoulddisgustamanofhistemper。"

"Idonotknow。Ihavenotyourself—command，Lucius。Ihatesuchconspirators。Whatistheuseofthem？Wemusthaveblood——blood，——hackingandtearingwork——bloodywork！"

"Donotgrindyourteeth，mydearCaius;andlaydownthecarving—knife。ByHercules，youhavecutupallthestuffingofthecouch。"

"Nomatter;weshallhavecouchesenoughsoon，——anddowntostuffthemwith，——andpurpletocoverthem，——andprettywomentolollonthem，——unlessthisfool，andsuchashe，spoilourplans。I

hadsomethingelsetosay。TheessencedfopwishestoseduceZoefromme。"

"Impossible！Youmisconstruetheordinarygallantrieswhichheisinthehabitofpayingtoeveryhandsomeface。"

"Curseonhisordinarygallantries，andhisverses，andhiscompliments，andhissprigsofmyrtle！IfCaesarshoulddare——byHercules，IwilltearhimtopiecesinthemiddleoftheForum。"

"Trusthisdestructiontome。Wemustusehistalentsandinfluence——thrusthimuponeverydanger——makehimourinstrumentwhilewearecontending——ourpeace—offeringtotheSenateifwefail——ourfirstvictimifwesucceed。"

"Hark！whatnoisewasthat？"

"Somebodyintheterrace——lendmeyourdagger。"

Catilinerushedtothewindow。Zoewasstandingintheshade。

Hesteppedout。Shedartedintotheroom——passedlikeaflashoflightningbythestartledCethegus——flewdownthestairs——throughthecourt——throughthevestibule——throughthestreet。Steps，voices，lights，camefastandconfusedlybehindher;butwiththespeedofloveandterrorshegaineduponherpursuers。Shefledthroughthewildernessofunknownandduskystreets，tillshefoundherself，breathlessandexhausted，inthemidstofacrowdofgallants，who，withchapletsontheirheadsandtorchesintheirhands，werereelingfromtheporticoofastatelymansion。

Theforemostofthethrongwasayouthwhoseslenderfigureandbeautifulcountenanceseemedhardlyconsistentwithhissex。Butthefemininedelicacyofhisfeaturesrenderedmorefrightfulthemingledsensualityandferocityoftheirexpression。Thelibertineaudacityofhisstare，andthegrotesquefopperyofhisapparel，seemedtoindicateatleastapartialinsanity。

FlingingonearmroundZoe，andtearingawayherveilwiththeother，hedisclosedtothegazeofhisthrongingcompanionstheregularfeaturesandlargedarkeyeswhichcharacteriseAthenianbeauty。

"Clodiushasalltheluckto—night，"criedLigarius。

"Notso，byHercules，"saidMarcusCoelius;"thegirlisfairlyourcommonprize:wewillflingdiceforher。TheVenus（VenuswastheRomantermforthehighestthrowofthedice。）throw，asitoughttodo，shalldecide。"

"Letmego——letmego，forHeaven’ssake，"criedZoe，strugglingwithClodius。

"WhatacharmingGreekaccentshehas！Comeintothehouse，mylittleAtheniannightingale。"

"Oh！whatwillbecomeofme？Ifyouhavemothers——ifyouhavesisters"——

"Clodiushasasister，"mutteredLigarius，"orheismuchbelied。"

"ByHeaven，sheisweeping，"saidClodius。

"IfshewerenotevidentlyaGreek，"saidCoelius，"Ishouldtakeherforavestalvirgin。"

"Andifshewereavestalvirgin，"criedClodiusfiercely，"itshouldnotdeterme。Thisway;——nostruggling——noscreaming。"

"Struggling！screaming！"exclaimedagayandcommandingvoice;

"Youaremakingveryungentlelove，Clodius。"

Thewholepartystarted。Caesarhadmingledwiththemunperceived。

ThesoundofhisvoicethrilledthroughtheveryheartofZoe。

Withaconvulsiveeffortsheburstfromthegraspofherinsolentadmirer，flungherselfatthefeetofCaesar，andclaspedhisknees。Themoonshonefullonheragitatedandimploringface:

herlipsmoved;butsheutterednosound。Hegazedatherforaninstant——raisedher——claspedhertohisbosom。"Fearnothing，mysweetZoe。"Then，withfoldedarms，andasmileofplaciddefiance，heplacedhimselfbetweenherandClodius。

Clodiusstaggeredforward，flushedwithwineandrage，andutteringalternatelyacurseandahiccup。

"ByPollux，thispassesajest。Caesar，howdareyouinsultmethus？"

"Ajest！IamasseriousasaJewontheSabbath。Insultyou;

forsuchapairofeyesIwouldinsultthewholeconsularbench，orIshouldbeasinsensibleasKingPsammis’smummy。"

"GoodGods，Caesar！"saidMarcusCoelius，interposing;"youcannotthinkitworthwhiletogetintoabrawlforalittleGreekgirl！"

"Whynot？TheGreekgirlshaveusedmeaswellasthoseofRome。

Besides，thewholereputationofmygallantryisatstake。Giveupsuchalovelywomantothatdrunkenboy！Mycharacterwouldbegoneforever。Nomoreperfumedtablets，fullofvowsandraptures。Nomoretoyingwithfingersatthecircus。NomoreeveningwalksalongtheTiber。Nomorehidinginchestsorjumpingfromwindows。I，thefavouredsuitorofhalfthewhitestolesinRome，couldneveragainaspireaboveafreed—woman。

Youamanofgallantry，andthinkofsuchathing！Forshame，mydearCoelius！DonotletClodiahearofit。"

WhileCaesarspokehehadbeenengagedinkeepingClodiusatarm’s—length。Therageofthefranticlibertineincreasedasthestrugglecontinued。"Standback，asyouvalueyourlife，"hecried;"Iwillpass。"

"Notthisway，sweetClodius。Ihavetoomuchregardforyoutosufferyoutomakeloveatsuchdisadvantage。YousmelltoomuchofFalernianatpresent。Wouldyoustifleyourmistress？ByHercules，youarefittokissnobodynow，exceptoldPiso，whenheistumblinghomeinthemorningfromthevintners。"

Clodiusplungedhishandintohisbosomanddrewalittledagger，thefaithfulcompanionofmanydesperateadventures。

"Oh，Gods！hewillbemurdered！"criedZoe。

Thewholethrongofrevellerswasinagitation。Thestreetfluctuatedwithtorchesandliftedhands。Itwasbutforamoment。CaesarwatchedwithasteadyeyethedescendinghandofClodius，arrestedtheblow，seizedhisantagonistbythethroat，andflunghimagainstoneofthepillarsoftheporticowithsuchviolence，thatherolled，stunnedandsenseless，ontheground。

"Heiskilled，"criedseveralvoices。

"Fairself—defence，byHercules！"saidMarcusCoelius。"Bearwitness，youallsawhimdrawhisdagger。"

Heisnotdead——hebreathes，"saidLigarius。"Carryhimintothehouse;heisdreadfullybruised。"

TherestofthepartyretiredwithClodius。CoeliusturnedtoCaesar。

"ByalltheGods，Caius！youhavewonyourladyfairly。A

splendidvictory！Youdeserveatriumph。"

"WhatamadmanClodiushasbecome！"

"Intolerable。ButcomeandsupwithmeontheNones。YouhavenoobjectiontomeettheConsul？"

Cicero？Noneatall。Weneednottalkpolitics。OurolddisputeaboutPlatoandEpicuruswillfurnishuswithplentyofconversation。Soreckonuponme，mydearMarcus，andfarewell。"

CaesarandZoeturnedaway。Assoonastheywerebeyondhearing，shebeganingreatagitation:——

"Caesar，youareindanger。Iknowall。IoverheardCatilineandCethegus。Youareengagedinaprojectwhichmustleadtocertaindestruction。"

"MybeautifulZoe，Iliveonlyforgloryandpleasure。FortheseIhaveneverhesitatedtohazardanexistencewhichtheyalonerendervaluabletome。Inthepresentcase，Icanassureyouthatourschemepresentsthefairesthopesofsuccess。"

"Somuchtheworse。Youdonotknow——youdonotunderstandme。

Ispeaknotofopenperil，butofsecrettreachery。Catilinehatesyou;——Cethegushatesyou;——yourdestructionisresolved。

Ifyousurvivethecontest，youperishinthefirsthourofvictory。Theydetestyouforyourmoderation;theyareeagerforbloodandplunder。Ihaveriskedmylifetobringyouthiswarning;butthatisoflittlemoment。Farewell！——Behappy。"

Caesarstoppedher。"Doyouflyfrommythanks，dearZoe？"

"Iwishnotforyourthanks，butforyoursafety;——IdesirenottodefraudValeriaorServiliaofonecaress，extortedfromgratitudeorpity。Bemyfeelingswhattheymay，Ihavelearntinafearfulschooltoendureandtosuppressthem。Ihavebeentaughttoabaseaproudspirittotheclapsandhissesofthevulgar;——tosmileonsuitorswhounitedtheinsultsofadespicablepridetotheendearmentsofaloathsomefondness;——toaffectsprightlinesswithanachinghead，andeyesfromwhichtearswerereadytogush;——tofeignlovewithcursesonmylips，andmadnessinmybrain。Whofeelsformeanyesteem，——anytenderness？WhowillshedatearoverthenamelessgravewhichwillsoonshelterfromcrueltyandscornthebrokenheartofthepoorAtheniangirl？Butyou，whoalonehaveaddressedherinherdegradationwithavoiceofkindnessandrespect，farewell。

Sometimesthinkofme，——notwithsorrow;——no;Icouldbearyouringratitude，butnotyourdistress。Yet，ifitwillnotpainyoutoomuch，indistantdays，whenyourloftyhopesanddestiniesareaccomplished，——ontheeveningofsomemightyvictory，——inthechariotofsomemagnificenttriumph，——thinkononewholovedyouwiththatexceedinglovewhichonlythemiserablecanfeel。Thinkthat，whereverherexhaustedframemayhavesunkbeneaththesensibilitiesofatorturedspirit，——inwhateverhovelorwhatevervaultshemayhaveclosedhereyes，——whateverstrangescenesofhorrorandpollutionmayhavesurroundedherdyingbed，yourshapewasthelastthatswambeforehersight——

yourvoicethelastsoundthatwasringinginherears。Yetturnyourfacetome，Caesar。Letmecarryawayonelastlookofthosefeatures，andthen"——Heturnedround。Helookedather。

Hehidhisfaceonherbosom，andburstintotears。Withsobslongandloud，andconvulsiveasthoseofaterrifiedchild，hepouredforthonherbosomthetributeofimpetuousanduncontrollableemotion。Heraisedhishead;butheinvainstruggledtorestorecomposuretothebrowwhichhadconfrontedthefrownofSylla，andthelipswhichhadrivalledtheeloquenceofCicero。Heseveraltimesattemptedtospeak，butinvain;andhisvoicestillfalteredwithtenderness，when，afterapauseofseveralminutes，hethusaddressedher:

"MyowndearZoe，yourlovehasbeenbestowedononewho，ifhecannotmerit，canatleastappreciateandadoreyou。Beingsofsimilarloveliness，andsimilardevotednessofaffection，mingled，inallmyboyishdreamsofgreatness，withvisionsofcurulechairsandivorycars，marshalledlegionsandlaurelledfasces。SuchIhaveendeavouredtofindintheworld;and，intheirstead，Ihavemetwithselfishness，withvanity，withfrivolity，withfalsehood。Thelifewhichyouhavepreservedisaboonlessvaluablethantheaffection"——

"Oh！Caesar，"interruptedtheblushingZoe，"thinkonlyonyourownsecurityatpresent。Ifyoufeelasyouspeak，——butyouareonlymockingme，——orperhapsyourcompassion"——

"ByHeaven！——byeveryoaththatisbinding"——

"Alas！alas！Caesar，werenotallthesameoathsswornyesterdaytoValeria？ButIwilltrustyou，atleastsofarastopartakeyourpresentdangers。Flightmayhenecessary:——formyourplans。

Betheywhattheymay，thereisonewho，inexile，inpoverty，inperil，asksonlytowander，tobeg，todiewithyou。"

"MyZoe，Idonotanticipateanysuchnecessity。Torenouncetheconspiracywithoutrenouncingtheprinciplesonwhichitwasoriginallyundertaken，——toeludethevengeanceoftheSenatewithoutlosingtheconfidenceofthepeople，——is，indeed，anarduous，butnotanimpossible，task。Ioweittomyselfandtomycountrytomaketheattempt。Thereisstillampletimeforconsideration。AtpresentIamtoohappyinlovetothinkofambitionordanger。"

Theyhadreachedthedoorofastatelypalace。Caesarstruckit。

Itwasinstantlyopenedbyaslave。Zoefoundherselfinamagnificenthall，surroundedbypillarsofgreenmarble，betweenwhichwererangedthestatuesofthelonglineofJuliannobles。

"CallEndymion，"saidCaesar。

Theconfidentialfreed—manmadehisappearance，notwithoutaslightsmile，whichhispatron’sgoodnatureemboldenedhimtohazard，atperceivingthebeautifulAthenian。

"Armmyslaves，Endymion;therearereasonsforprecaution。Letthemrelieveeachotheronguardduringthenight。Zoe，mylove，mypreserver，whyareyourcheekssopale？Letmekisssomebloomintothem。Howyoutremble！Endymion，aflaskofSamianandsomefruit。Bringthemtomyapartments。Thisway，mysweetZoe。"