ThecharacterofTheodosiusimposedonhisministerthetaskofhypocrisy，whichdisguised，andsometimesrestrained，theabuseofpower；andRufinuswasapprehensiveofdisturbingtheindolentslumberofaprincestillcapableofexertingtheabilitiesandthevirtue，whichhadraisedhimtothethrone。^10

　　Buttheabsence，and，soonafterwards，thedeath，oftheemperor，confirmedtheabsoluteauthorityofRufinusoverthepersonanddominionsofArcadius；afeebleyouth，whomtheimperiouspraefectconsideredashispupil，ratherthanhissovereign。

　　Regardlessofthepublicopinion，heindulgedhispassionswithoutremorse，andwithoutresistance；andhismalignantandrapaciousspiritrejectedeverypassionthatmighthavecontributedtohisownglory，orthehappinessofthepeople。

　　Hisavarice，^11whichseemstohaveprevailed，inhiscorruptmind，overeveryothersentiment，attractedthewealthoftheEast，bythevariousartsofpartialandgeneralextortion；

　　oppressivetaxes，scandalousbribery，immoderatefines，unjustconfiscations，forcedorfictitioustestaments，bywhichthetyrantdespoiledoftheirlawfulinheritancethechildrenofstrangers，orenemies；andthepublicsaleofjustice，aswellasoffavor，whichheinstitutedinthepalaceofConstantinople。

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