Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/257

Rh their hair grow in the same manner as girls; that they should deck it with flowers, and wear long robes of different colours down to their heels; that when they went to their masters of music and dancing, they should have women with them to carry their umbrello's perfumes, and fans, and to present them with combs and looking glasses whenever they bathed. This education lasted till the age of twenty; an education that could be agreeable to none but a petty tyrant, who exposes his sovereignty to defend his life.

LEXANDER made a surprizing conquest. Let us see how it was conducted; and since enough has been said by other writers of his valour, let us mention something concerning his prudence.

The measures he took were just. He did not set out till he had compleated the reduction of Greece; he availed himself of this reduction for no other end than for the execution of his enterprize; and he left nothing, by which he could be annoyed, behind him. He began his attack against the maritime provinces; he made his land forces keep close to the sea coast that they might not be separated from his fleet; he made an admirable use of discipline against numbers; he never wanted provisions; and if it be true that victory gave him every thing, he, in his turn, did every thing to obtain it.

In this manner he carried on his conquests; let us now see how he preserved them. Rh