Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/417

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 399 trusted to my care ? Was I not called upon to defend CHAP, them from the repeated hijuries of these unfeeling rob- bers? A tribune who deserts his post is punished with death, and deprived of the honours of burial. With what justice could I pronounce his sentence, if, in the hour of danger, 1 myself neglected a duty far more sa- cred and far more important? God has i)laced me in this elevated post ; his providence will guard and support me. Should I be condemned to suffer, I shall derive comfort from the testimony of a pure and upright con- science. Would to heaven, that I still possessed a counsellor like Sallust ! If they think proper to send me a successor, I shall submit without reluctance ; and had much rather improve the short opportunity of doing good, than enjoy a long and lasting impunity of evil''." The precarious and dependent situation of Julian displayed his virtues, and concealed his defects. The young hero who supported in Gaul the throne of Constantius, was not permitted to reform the vices of the government ; but he had courage to alleviate or to pity the distress of the people. Unless he had been able to revive the martial spirit of the Romans, or to introduce the arts of industry and refinement among their savage enemies, he could not entertain any ra- tional hopes of securing the public tranquillity, either by the peace or conquest of Germany. Yet the vic- tories of Julian suspended, for a short time, the inroads of the barbarians, and delayed the ruin of the western empire. His salutary influence restored the cities of Gaul, Description of Pfin^ which had been so long exposed to the evils of civil discord, barbarian war, and domestic tyranny; and the spirit of industry was revived with the hopes of enjoy- ment. Agriculture, manufactures, and commerce again flourished under the protection of the laws ; and the " Aramian. xvii. 3 ; Julian. Epistol. xv. edit. Spanheim. Such a con- duct almost justifies the encomium of Mamertinus : Ita illi auni spatia divisa sunt, ut aut barbaros domitet, aut civibus jura reslituat ; perpetuum professus, aut contra hostera, aut contra vitia, certamen.