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。\"