andhiskinsmenordescendantscontinue，ineachgeneration，toleadthearmiesandcouncilsofthestate。Thepurplewasnotdishonoredbytheiralliance，andhadthelawofsuccession，andfemalesuccession，beenstrictlyobserved，thewifeofTheodoreLascarismusthaveyieldedtohereldersister，themotherofMichaelPalaeologus，whoafterwardsraisedhisfamilytothethrone。Inhisperson，thesplendorofbirthwasdignifiedbythemeritofthesoldierandstatesman:inhisearlyyouthhewaspromotedtotheofficeofconstableorcommanderoftheFrenchmercenaries；theprivateexpenseofadayneverexceededthreepiecesofgold；buthisambitionwasrapaciousandprofuse；andhisgiftsweredoubledbythegracesofhisconversationandmanners。Theloveofthesoldiersandpeopleexcitedthejealousyofthecourt，andMichaelthriceescapedfromthedangersinwhichhewasinvolvedbyhisownimprudenceorthatofhisfriends。I。UnderthereignofJusticeandVataces，adisputearose^12betweentwoofficers，oneofwhomaccusedtheotherofmaintainingthehereditaryrightofthePalaeologiThecausewasdecided，accordingtothenewjurisprudenceoftheLatins，bysinglecombat；thedefendantwasoverthrown；buthepersistedindeclaringthathimselfalonewasguilty；andthathehadutteredtheserashortreasonablespeecheswithouttheapprobationorknowledgeofhispatronYetacloudofsuspicionhungovertheinnocenceoftheconstable；hewasstillpursuedbythewhispersofmalevolence；andasubtlecourtier，thearchbishopofPhiladelphia，urgedhimtoacceptthejudgmentofGodinthefieryproofoftheordeal。^13Threedaysbeforethetrial，thepatient\'sarmwasenclosedinabag，andsecuredbytheroyalsignet；anditwasincumbentonhimtobearared—hotballofironthreetimesfromthealtartotherailsofthesanctuary，withoutartificeandwithoutinjury。Palaeologuseludedthedangerousexperimentwithsenseandpleasantry。\"Iamasoldier，\"saidhe，\"andwillboldlyenterthelistswithmyaccusers；butalayman，asinnerlikemyself，isnotendowedwiththegiftofmiracles。Yourpiety，mostholyprelate，maydeservetheinterpositionofHeaven，andfromyourhandsIwillreceivethefieryglobe，thepledgeofmyinnocence。\"Thearchbishopstarted；theemperorsmiled；andtheabsolutionorpardonofMichaelwasapprovedbynewrewardsandnewservices。II。Inthesucceedingreign，asheheldthegovernmentofNice，hewassecretlyinformed，thatthemindoftheabsentprincewaspoisonedwithjealousy；andthatdeath，orblindness，wouldbehisfinalreward。InsteadofawaitingthereturnandsentenceofTheodore，theconstable，withsomefollowers，escapedfromthecityandtheempire；andthoughhewasplunderedbytheTurkmansofthedesert，hefoundahospitablerefugeinthecourtofthesultan。Intheambiguousstateofanexile，Michaelreconciledthedutiesofgratitudeandloyalty:drawinghisswordagainsttheTartars；admonishingthegarrisonsoftheRomanlimit；andpromoting，byhisinfluence，therestorationofpeace，inwhichhispardonandrecallwerehonorablyincluded。III。WhileheguardedtheWestagainstthedespotofEpirus，Michaelwasagainsuspectedandcondemnedinthepalace；andsuchwashisloyaltyorweakness，thathesubmittedtobeledinchainsabovesixhundredmilesfromDurazzotoNice。Thecivilityofthemessengeralleviatedhisdisgrace；theemperor\'ssicknessdispelledhisdanger；andthelastbreathofTheodore，whichrecommendedhisinfantson，atonceacknowledgedtheinnocenceandthepowerofPalaeologus。
[Footnote11:ThepedigreeofPalaeologusisexplainedbyDucange，Famil。Byzant。p。230，&c。:theeventsofhisprivatelifearerelatedbyPachymerl。i。c。7—12andGregorasl。
ii。8，l。iii。2，4，l。iv。1withvisiblefavortothefatherofthereigningdynasty。]
[Footnote12:Acropolitac。50relatesthecircumstancesofthiscuriousadventure，whichseemtohaveescapedthemorerecentwriters。]
[Footnote13:Pachymer，l。i。c。12，whospeakswithpropercontemptofthisbarbaroustrial，affirms，thathehadseeninhisyouthmanypersonwhohadsustained，withoutinjury，thefieryordeal。AsaGreek，heiscredulous；buttheingenuityoftheGreeksmightfurnishsomeremediesofartorfraudagainsttheirownsuperstition，orthatoftheirtyrant。]
Buthisinnocencehadbeentoounworthilytreated，andhispowerwastoostronglyfelt，tocurbanaspiringsubjectinthefairfieldthatwasopenedtohisambition。^14Inthecouncil，afterthedeathofTheodore，hewasthefirsttopronounce，andthefirsttoviolate，theoathofallegiancetoMuzalon；andsodexterouswashisconduct，thathereapedthebenefit，withoutincurringtheguilt，oratleastthereproach，ofthesubsequentmassacre。Inthechoiceofaregent，hebalancedtheinterestsandpassionsofthecandidates；turnedtheirenvyandhatredfromhimselfagainsteachother，andforcedeverycompetitortoown，thatafterhisownclaims，thoseofPalaeologuswerebestentitledtothepreference。Underthetitleofgreatduke，heacceptedorassumed，duringalongminority，theactivepowersofgovernment；thepatriarchwasavenerablename；andthefactiousnobleswereseduced，oroppressed，bytheascendantofhisgenius。ThefruitsoftheeconomyofVatacesweredepositedinastrongcastleonthebanksoftheHermus，inthecustodyofthefaithfulVarangians:theconstableretainedhiscommandorinfluenceovertheforeigntroops；heemployedtheguardstopossessthetreasure，andthetreasuretocorrupttheguards；andwhatsoevermightbetheabuseofthepublicmoney，hischaracterwasabovethesuspicionofprivateavarice。Byhimself，orbyhisemissaries，hestrovetopersuadeeveryrankofsubjects，thattheirownprosperitywouldriseinjustproportiontotheestablishmentofhisauthority。Theweightoftaxeswassuspended，theperpetualthemeofpopularcomplaint；andheprohibitedthetrialsbytheordealandjudicialcombat。TheseBarbaricinstitutionswerealreadyabolishedorunderminedinFrance^15andEngland；^16andtheappealtotheswordoffendedthesenseofacivilized，^17andthetemperofanunwarlike，people。Forthefuturemaintenanceoftheirwivesandchildren，theveteransweregrateful:thepriestsandthephilosophersapplaudedhisardentzealfortheadvancementofreligionandlearning；andhisvaguepromiseofrewardingmeritwasappliedbyeverycandidatetohisownhopes。Consciousoftheinfluenceoftheclergy，Michaelsuccessfullylaboredtosecurethesuffrageofthatpowerfulorder。TheirexpensivejourneyfromNicetoMagnesia，affordedadecentandamplepretence:theleadingprelatesweretemptedbytheliberalityofhisnocturnalvisits；
andtheincorruptiblepatriarchwasflatteredbythehomageofhisnewcolleague，wholedhismulebythebridleintothetown，andremovedtoarespectfuldistancetheimportunityofthecrowd。Withoutrenouncinghistitlebyroyaldescent，Palaeologusencouragedafreediscussionintotheadvantagesofelectivemonarchy；andhisadherentsasked，withtheinsolenceoftriumph，whatpatientwouldtrusthishealth，orwhatmerchantwouldabandonhisvessel，tothehereditaryskillofaphysicianorapilot?Theyouthoftheemperor，andtheimpendingdangersofaminority，requiredthesupportofamatureandexperiencedguardian；ofanassociateraisedabovetheenvyofhisequals，andinvestedwiththenameandprerogativesofroyalty。Fortheinterestoftheprinceandpeople，withoutanyselfishviewsforhimselforhisfamily，thegreatdukeconsentedtoguardandinstructthesonofTheodore；buthesighedforthehappymomentwhenhemightrestoretohisfirmerhandstheadministrationofhispatrimony，andenjoytheblessingsofaprivatestation。Hewasfirstinvestedwiththetitleandprerogativesofdespot，whichbestowedthepurpleornamentsandthesecondplaceintheRomanmonarchy。ItwasafterwardsagreedthatJohnandMichaelshouldbeproclaimedasjointemperors，andraisedonthebuckler，butthatthepreeminenceshouldbereservedforthebirthrightoftheformer。Amutualleagueofamitywaspledgedbetweentheroyalpartners；andincaseofarupture，thesubjectswerebound，bytheiroathofallegiance，todeclarethemselvesagainsttheaggressor；anambiguousname，theseedofdiscordandcivilwar。Palaeologuswascontent；but，onthedayofthecoronation，andinthecathedralofNice，hiszealousadherentsmostvehementlyurgedthejustpriorityofhisageandmerit。TheunseasonabledisputewaseludedbypostponingtoamoreconvenientopportunitythecoronationofJohnLascaris；andhewalkedwithaslightdiademinthetrainofhisguardian，whoalonereceivedtheImperialcrownfromthehandsofthepatriarch。ItwasnotwithoutextremereluctancethatArseniusabandonedthecauseofhispupil；outtheVarangiansbrandishedtheirbattle—axes；asignofassentwasextortedfromthetremblingyouth；andsomevoiceswereheard，thatthelifeofachildshouldnolongerimpedethesettlementofthenation。A
fullharvestofhonorsandemploymentswasdistributedamonghisfriendsbythegratefulPalaeologus。Inhisownfamilyhecreatedadespotandtwosebastocrators；AlexiusStrategopuluswasdecoratedwiththetitleofCaesar；andthatveterancommandersoonrepaidtheobligation，byrestoringConstantinopletotheGreekemperor。
[Footnote14:WithoutcomparingPachymertoThucydidesorTacitus，Iwillpraisehisnarrative，l。i。c。13—32，l。ii。
c。1—9，whichpursuestheascentofPalaeologuswitheloquence，perspicuity，andtolerablefreedom。Acropolitaismorecautious，andGregorasmoreconcise。]
[Footnote15:ThejudicialcombatwasabolishedbySt。Louisinhisownterritories；andhisexampleandauthoritywereatlengthprevalentinFrance，EspritdesLoix，l。xxviii。c。29。]
[Footnote16:IncivilcasesHenryII。gaveanoptiontothedefendant:Glanvillepreferstheproofbyevidence；andthatbyjudicialcombatisreprobatedintheFleta。YetthetrialbybattlehasneverbeenabrogatedintheEnglishlaw，anditwasorderedbythejudgesaslateasthebeginningofthelastcentury。
Note*:Andevendemandedinthepresent—M。]
[Footnote17:Yetaningeniousfriendhasurgedtomeinmitigationofthispractice，1。Thatinnationsemergingfrombarbarism，itmoderatesthelicenseofprivatewarandarbitraryrevenge。2。Thatitislessabsurdthanthetrialsbytheordeal，orboilingwater，orthecross，whichithascontributedtoabolish。3。Thatitservedatleastasatestofpersonalcourage；aqualitysoseldomunitedwithabasedisposition，thatthedangerofatrialmightbesomechecktoamaliciousprosecutor，andausefulbarrieragainstinjusticesupportedbypower。ThegallantandunfortunateearlofSurreymightprobablyhaveescapedhisunmeritedfate，hadnothisdemandofthecombatagainsthisaccuserbeenoverruled]
Itwasinthesecondyearofhisreign，whileheresidedinthepalaceandgardensofNymphaeum，^18nearSmyrna，thatthefirstmessengerarrivedatthedeadofnight；andthestupendousintelligencewasimpartedtoMichael，afterhehadbeengentlywakedbythetenderprecautionofhissisterEulogia。Themanwasunknownorobscure；heproducednolettersfromthevictoriousCaesar；norcoulditeasilybecredited，afterthedefeatofVatacesandtherecentfailureofPalaeologushimself，thatthecapitalhadbeensurprisedbyadetachmentofeighthundredsoldiers。Asahostage，thedoubtfulauthorwasconfined，withtheassuranceofdeathoranamplerecompense；andthecourtwasleftsomehoursintheanxietyofhopeandfear，tillthemessengersofAlexiusarrivedwiththeauthenticintelligence，anddisplayedthetrophiesoftheconquest，theswordandsceptre，^19thebuskinsandbonnet，^20oftheusurperBaldwin，whichhehaddroppedinhisprecipitateflight。Ageneralassemblyofthebishops，senators，andnobles，wasimmediatelyconvened，andneverperhapswasaneventreceivedwithmoreheartfeltanduniversaljoy。Inastudiedoration，thenewsovereignofConstantinoplecongratulatedhisownandthepublicfortune。\"Therewasatime，\"saidhe，\"afardistanttime，whentheRomanempireextendedtotheAdriatic，theTigris，andtheconfinesofAethiopia。Afterthelossoftheprovinces，ourcapitalitself，intheselastandcalamitousdays，hasbeenwrestedfromourhandsbytheBarbariansoftheWest。Fromthelowestebb，thetideofprosperityhasagainreturnedinourfavor；butourprosperitywasthatoffugitivesandexiles:andwhenwewereasked，whichwasthecountryoftheRomans，weindicatedwithablushtheclimateoftheglobe，andthequarteroftheheavens。ThedivineProvidencehasnowrestoredtoourarmsthecityofConstantine，thesacredseatofreligionandempire；anditwilldependonourvalorandconducttorenderthisimportantacquisitionthepledgeandomenoffuturevictories。\"Soeagerwastheimpatienceoftheprinceandpeople，thatMichaelmadehistriumphalentryintoConstantinopleonlytwentydaysaftertheexpulsionoftheLatins。Thegoldengatewasthrownopenathisapproach；thedevoutconquerordismountedfromhishorse；andamiraculousimageofMarytheConductresswasbornebeforehim，thatthedivineVirgininpersonmightappeartoconducthimtothetempleofherSon，thecathedralofSt。Sophia。Butafterthefirsttransportofdevotionandpride，hesighedatthedrearyprospectofsolitudeandruin。Thepalacewasdefiledwithsmokeanddirt，andthegrossintemperanceoftheFranks；wholestreetshadbeenconsumedbyfire，orweredecayedbytheinjuriesoftime；thesacredandprofaneedificeswerestrippedoftheirornaments:and，asiftheywereconsciousoftheirapproachingexile，theindustryoftheLatinshadbeenconfinedtotheworkofpillageanddestruction。Tradehadexpiredunderthepressureofanarchyanddistress，andthenumbersofinhabitantshaddecreasedwiththeopulenceofthecity。ItwasthefirstcareoftheGreekmonarchtoreinstatethenoblesinthepalacesoftheirfathers；andthehousesorthegroundwhichtheyoccupiedwererestoredtothefamiliesthatcouldexhibitalegalrightofinheritance。Butthefargreaterpartwasextinctorlost；thevacantpropertyhaddevolvedtothelord；herepeopledConstantinoplebyaliberalinvitationtotheprovinces；andthebravevolunteerswereseatedinthecapitalwhichhadbeenrecoveredbytheirarms。TheFrenchbaronsandtheprincipalfamilieshadretiredwiththeiremperor；butthepatientandhumblecrowdofLatinswasattachedtothecountry，andindifferenttothechangeofmasters。
InsteadofbanishingthefactoriesofthePisans，Venetians，andGenoese，theprudentconqueroracceptedtheiroathsofallegiance，encouragedtheirindustry，confirmedtheirprivileges，andallowedthemtoliveunderthejurisdictionoftheirpropermagistrates。Ofthesenations，thePisansandVenetianspreservedtheirrespectivequartersinthecity；buttheservicesandpoweroftheGenoesedeservedatthesametimethegratitudeandthejealousyoftheGreeks。TheirindependentcolonywasfirstplantedattheseaporttownofHeracleainThrace。Theywerespeedilyrecalled，andsettledintheexclusivepossessionofthesuburbofGalata，anadvantageouspost，inwhichtheyrevivedthecommerce，andinsultedthemajesty，oftheByzantineempire。^21
[Footnote18:ThesiteofNymphaeumisnotclearlydefinedinancientormoderngeography。ButfromthelasthoursofVataces，Acropolita，c。52，itisevidentthepalaceandgardensofhisfavoriteresidencewereintheneighborhoodofSmyrna。NymphaeummightbelooselyplacedinLydia，Gregoras，l。vi。6。]
[Footnote19:Thissceptre，theemblemofjusticeandpower，wasalongstaff，suchaswasusedbytheheroesinHomer。BythelatterGreeksitwasnamedDicanice，andtheImperialsceptrewasdistinguishedasusualbytheredorpurplecolor]
[Footnote20:Acropolitaaffirmsc。87，thatthisbonnetwasaftertheFrenchfashion；butfromtherubyatthepointorsummit，DucangeHist。deC。P。l。v。c。28，29believesthatitwasthehigh—crownedhatoftheGreeks。CouldAcropolitamistakethedressofhisowncourt?]
[Footnote21:SeePachymer，l。ii。c。28—33，Acropolita，c。
88，NicephorusGregoras，l。iv。7，andforthetreatmentofthesubjectLatins，Ducange，l。v。c。30，31。]
TherecoveryofConstantinoplewascelebratedastheaeraofanewempire:theconqueror，alone，andbytherightofthesword，renewedhiscoronationinthechurchofSt。Sophia；andthenameandhonorsofJohnLascaris，hispupilandlawfulsovereign，wereinsensiblyabolished。Buthisclaimsstilllivedinthemindsofthepeople；andtheroyalyouthmustspeedilyattaintheyearsofmanhoodandambition。Byfearorconscience，Palaeologuswasrestrainedfromdippinghishandsininnocentandroyalblood；buttheanxietyofausurperandaparenturgedhimtosecurehisthronebyoneofthoseimperfectcrimessofamiliartothemodernGreeks。Thelossofsightincapacitatedtheyoungprincefortheactivebusinessoftheworld；insteadofthebrutalviolenceoftearingouthiseyes，thevisualnervewasdestroyedbytheintenseglareofared—hotbasin，^22andJohnLascariswasremovedtoadistantcastle，wherehespentmanyyearsinprivacyandoblivion。Suchcoolanddeliberateguiltmayseemincompatiblewithremorse；butifMichaelcouldtrustthemercyofHeaven，hewasnotinaccessibletothereproachesandvengeanceofmankind，whichhehadprovokedbycrueltyandtreason。Hiscrueltyimposedonaservilecourtthedutiesofapplauseorsilence；buttheclergyhadarighttospeakinthenameoftheirinvisibleMaster；andtheirholylegionswereledbyaprelate，whosecharacterwasabovethetemptationsofhopeorfear。Afterashortabdicationofhisdignity，Arsenius^23
hadconsentedtoascendtheecclesiasticalthroneofConstantinople，andtopresideintherestorationofthechurch。
HispioussimplicitywaslongdeceivedbytheartsofPalaeologus；andhispatienceandsubmissionmightsoothetheusurper，andprotectthesafetyoftheyoungprince。Onthenewsofhisinhumantreatment，thepatriarchunsheathedthespiritualsword；andsuperstition，onthisoccasion，wasenlistedinthecauseofhumanityandjustice。Inasynodofbishops，whowerestimulatedbytheexampleofhiszeal，thepatriarchpronouncedasentenceofexcommunication；thoughhisprudencestillrepeatedthenameofMichaelinthepublicprayers。TheEasternprelateshadnotadoptedthedangerousmaximsofancientRome；nordidtheypresumetoenforcetheircensures，bydeposingprinces，orabsolvingnationsfromtheiroathsofallegiance。ButtheChristian，whohadbeenseparatedfromGodandthechurch，becameanobjectofhorror；and，inaturbulentandfanaticcapital，thathorrormightarmthehandofanassassin，orinflameaseditionofthepeople。Palaeologusfelthisdanger，confessedhisguilt，anddeprecatedhisjudge:theactwasirretrievable；
theprizewasobtained；andthemostrigorouspenance，whichhesolicited，wouldhaveraisedthesinnertothereputationofasaint。Theunrelentingpatriarchrefusedtoannounceanymeansofatonementoranyhopesofmercy；andcondescendedonlytopronounce，thatforsogreatacrime，greatindeedmustbethesatisfaction。\"Doyourequire，\"saidMichael，\"thatIshouldabdicatetheempire?\"andatthesewords，heoffered，orseemedtooffer，theswordofstate。Arseniuseagerlygraspedthispledgeofsovereignty；butwhenheperceivedthattheemperorwasunwillingtopurchaseabsolutionatsodeararate，heindignantlyescapedtohiscell，andlefttheroyalsinnerkneelingandweepingbeforethedoor。^24
[Footnote22:ThismilderinventionforextinguishingthesightwastriedbythephilosopherDemocritusonhimself，whenhesoughttowithdrawhismindfromthevisibleworld:afoolishstory!Thewordabacinare，inLatinandItalian，hasfurnishedDucangeGloss。Lat。withanopportunitytoreviewthevariousmodesofblinding:themoreviolentwerescooping，burningwithaniron，orhotvinegar，andbindingtheheadwithastrongcordtilltheeyesburstfromtheirsockets。Ingenioustyrants!]
[Footnote23:SeethefirstretreatandrestorationofArsenius，inPachymerl。ii。c。15，l。iii。c。1，2andNicephorusGregoras，l。iii。c。1，l。iv。c。1。PosterityjustlyaccusedArseniusthevirtuesofahermit，thevicesofaminister，l。
xii。c。2。]
[Footnote24:ThecrimeandexcommunicationofMichaelarefairlytoldbyPachymerl。iii。c。10，14，19，&c。andGregoras，l。
iv。c。4。Hisconfessionandpenancerestoredtheirfreedom。]
ChapterLXII:GreekEmperorsOfNiceAndConstantinople。