His sumptuous tents, and those of his satraps, afforded an immense booty to the conqueror; and an incident is mentioned which proves the rustic but martial ignorance of the legions in the elegant superfluities of life. A bag of shining leather, filled with pearls, fell into the hands of a private soldier; he carefully preserved the bag, but he threw away its contents, judging that whatever was of no use could not possibly be of any value.

The communication of ideas requires a similitude of thought and language . . .

Ignorant of the arts of luxury, the primitive Romans had improved the science of government and war.

The science of the laws is the slow growth of time and experience.

If Julian had flattered himself that his personal connexion with the capital of the East would be productive of mutual satisfaction to the prince and people, he made a very false estimate of his own character, and of the manners of Antioch. The warmth of the climate disposed the natives to the most intemperate enjoyment of tranquillity and opulence; and the lively licentiousness of the Greeks was blended with the hereditary softness of the Syrians.

Man has much more to fear from the passions of his fellow-creatures, than from the convulsions of the elements.

The first and indispensable requisite of happiness is a clear conscience.