preserved by the generous interference of the empress Eusebia, and Athens assigned as the place of his honourable exile. This city was highly agreeable to a prince of Julian's taste. From his early youth he had evinced a propensity to the learning, manners, and religion of the Greeks; and in the schools of Athens he established that pre-possession in favour of his talents, which was soon diffused over the Roman world.

Constantius finding himself unequal to the sole government of such a mighty empire, surrounded by barbarous nations, adopting the advice of Eusebia, in opposition to that of the eunuchs, soon recalled Julian, whom he mar◄ ried to his sister Helena, and appointed him as Cæsar, to reign over the countries beyond the Alps.

Though the ministers of Constantius had not been able to ward off this blow against their influence, and retain Julian in a state of inactivity, they determined, by the most insidious manœuvres, to render his political existence disagreeable to him. They removed from about his person all his confidential friends; and, under pretence of shewing him respect, placed guards over him, rather to observe his motions than to defend him from danger. His letters were opened in their presence; and so vigilant was their jealousy, that he found it necessary to forbid his friends corresponding with him or visiting him, lest they should incur suspicion, or himself be exposed to risk.

On his quitting the court of Milan for Gaul, where the empire was menaced by the barbarians, he was surrounded with observers, spies,

and

and opponents, whose study it was to control his actions, and curb his power. Yet amidst these obstacles and intrigues, his first campaign was fortunate, and his success determined the emperor to increase his authority; but in order to lessen the merit of this favour, an officer was placed over Julian, with the most mortifying contempt, as he had been accessary to the destruction of his own brother Gallus.

Had not Julian possessed a great share of prudence and address, as well as the sincere affection of his troops, it would have been impossible for him at once to contend with so many secret machinations of pretended friends, and the continual irruption of open enemies, who sometimes attacked him on all sides. Whilst the Cæsar scarcely passed a day without a con, flict, Constantius led a life of indolence at Milan, during many months. Having, however, resolved to return into the east, he indulged his pride and curiosity by paying a visit to the ancient capital, before he set out from Italy. Accordingly, he entered Rome at the head of a triumphal procession; was lodged in the palace of Augustus, presided in the senate, and harangued the people. On seeing the temple of Jupiter, the public baths, the amphitheatre, the tomb of Adrian, the theatre of Pompey, the forum of Trajan, and other splendid edifices, he exclaimed, "Fame, which exaggerates all other "things, falls short of the truth in her account "of Rome." He would not enter the senatehouse, however, till the altar of victory and other remains of pagan superstition were removed: and by several sanguinary edicts, he endeavoured to root out idolatry and divini

nation,

nation, which would have been more effectually checked by exposing them to merited ridicule and contempt.

After spending thirty days in Rome, his departure was hastened by the intelligence of the distress and danger of the Illyrian provinces; but, to perpetuate the memory of this visit, he ordered the largest of the Egyptian obelisks which Constantine had designed to decorate his new city, to be transported from the banks of the Nile, and erected in the great circus of the old metropolis.

1

Julian continued to reap fresh laurels, all of which he referred to the emperor, who on his part accepted, without scruple, the appropriation and the glory. In fact, he carried this so far, that in the account he published of the important victory gained by his cousin at Strasburg, he attributed the whole honour to himself, without even naming the conqueror. Yet it must not be denied, that Constantius had some title to military reputation of his own: for he had personally fought the Quadi and Sar359. matians, both warlike nations, and had obliged them to sue for peace. though brave when engaged in war, he loved peace, and did every thing in his power to maintain it, particularly with the Persians, against whom he did not commence his march till driven to extremity.

A. D.

But

This unavoidable war brought the intrigues against Julian to a crisis. The magnitude of Sapor's preparations, and perhaps the emperor's jealousy of the Cæsar, induced him to require a reinforcement of his chosen troops. This order, which was peremptory, reaching Julian at a

moment

moment of difficulty and danger, when the Picts and Scots were ravaging Britain, gave him the most sensible uneasiness; to aggravate which, he had every reason to apprehend that, should his forces be diminished, the Germans, whom fear only kept in awe, would soon re-enter Gaul.

In this critical situation he determined to sacrifice his feelings to his duty, and to shew the promptitude of his obedience to the imperial will; sending, therefore, for Decentius, who was charged with the emperor's commission, he professed his acquiescence, but hinted, that the troops required had enlisted on condition of not being compelled to pass the Alps, and that there might be danger in violating the engagement.

Events verified the prediction: no sooner was Decentius ready to depart with the troops he had selected, than the murmurs of discontent spread from tent to tent. The soldiers at last found words, and openly complained that they were sent to the extremity of the world, and obliged to leave their wives, their children, and their friends, a prey to the barbarians. To remove this cause of opposition, Julian permitted them to take their families with them, and offered them conveyances at the public expence. He carried his attention to the discharge of his duty still further; and as he knew the attachment of his soldiers, he advised Decentius not to lead them through Paris, the place of his residence, lest they should be tempted to some act of violence on the prospect of leaving him. The commander, however, did not think it reasonable to refuse the indulgence which they ardently begged, of being permitted to bid their general farewel. Julian received them

with kindness; and from his tribunal, gratefully commemorated their past exploits, and concluded, with recommending a prompt and cheerful obedience to the commands of Constantius.

The soldiers heard the latter part of his speech in gloomy silence; and after a short pause, were dismissed to their quarters. The officers were entertained by the Cæsar; and when they retired from the feast, mutually lamented the severity of their fate, which tore them from a general they loved, and from a country which contained all they held dear. The common soldiers on this occasion had likewise been indulged with wine their spirits were elevated to a sufficient pitch of daring or suffering; and conspiracy, the only expedient which could prevent the dreaded separation, was proposed, as it has been imagined, by some warm partisans of Julian, and approved by the whole army.

The ferment increased; and at the hour of midnight, the impatient multitude encompassed the palace of Cæsar, and pronounced the irrevocable words, "Julian Augustus."

The prince strenuously rejected the proferred honour, and by securing the doors, endeavoured to seclude his person from their tumultuary attachment; but no sooner had the dawn appeared, than the soldiers forcibly entered the palace, and with a respectful violence, seized the person of Julian, placed him in his tribunal, and made the air ring with the salutations of Augustus.

Till the third hour of the day Julian remained inflexible to their prayers, their reproaches, and their menaces. He intreated them not to sully the fame of so many victories by the crime of rebellion; and undertook to procure the emperor's