[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.

In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.

A philosopher may deplore the eternal discords of the human race, but he will confess, that the desire of spoil is a more rational provocation than the vanity of conquest.

But the sages of Greece and Rome turned aside from the awful spectacle, and, pursuing the ordinary occupations of life and study, appeared unconscious of any alterations in the moral of physical government of the world.

Religion is a mere question of geography.

Since the primitive times, the wealth of the popes was exposed to envy, their powers to opposition, and their persons to violence.

While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were repeated with transport in every part of the empire, except in the palace of Constantius.