To resume, in a few words, the system of the Imperial government, as it was instituted by Augustus, and maintained by those princes who understood their own interest and that of the people, it may be defined an absolute monarchy disguised by the forms of a commonwealth. The masters of the Roman world surrounded their throne with darkness, concealed their irresistible strength, and humbly professed themselves the accountable ministers of the senate, whose supreme decrees they dictated and obeyed.

But a law, however venerable be the sanction, cannot suddenly transform the temper of the times . . .

The author himself is the best judge of his own performance; none has so deeply meditated on the subject; none is so sincerely interested in the event.

Majorian presents the welcome discovery of a great and heroic character, such as sometimes arise, in a degenerate age, to vindicate the honor of the human species.

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.

In the field of controversy I always pity the moderate party, who stand on the open middle ground exposed to the fire of both sides.

The history of empires is the record of human misery; the history of the sciences is that of the greatness and happiness of mankind.