Thus fell this extraordinary man, after having been only about five months in the undisputed possession of that power which it had been the object of his life to obtain. Cicero, judging either from the general feeling, or from C;.esar's evident neglect of his own safety, had predicted his fall with a precision which might seem oracular. In writing to his friend :Wiens, he says, Jam intelliges id regnumvis srmestreesse posse. Corruat isle necesse est. ant per adversarios, aut ipse her se ; et id sperovivis nobis fore.
Cxsar was unquestionably the most extraordinary character that has appeared in history, either in ancient or in modern times. Others hate often rken from as small beginnings to a high degree by ing the favourable incidents which pointed the IA ae to distinction and honour. But Cx ,ar appears as the framer of his own fOrtune : In his history st arcely any thing occurs which we can call accidental ; a,l the great ob jects which lie accomplished were the rt sult of accurate calculation, of a just knowledge of his own resonrces, and of prolinincl observations on human nature. NVith regard to other individuals, we generally err in ascribing too much to preconcerted plans, and in diving too deep for the motives of their actions ; but in the case of Caesar, it is probable that we more frequently err in not per ceiving the full extent of his schemes, or in not disco vering those more minute and more complicated princi ples, which suggested the mode of conduct which he adopted. Viewing him merely as determined on sub verting the liberties of his country, we see nothing in him to admire but his uncommon abilities. Catiline and others had desired to accomplish what he so successfully achieved ; but they wanted that prudence, fortitude, and perseverance, which alone could ensure the success of their enterprise. Cxsar set out with the resolution of enslaving his country. lie was not impelled to it by the necessity of his circumstances, nor by any sudden fit of passion. It was the settled, determined, purpose of his soul ; and he adopted the most judicious measures to obtain his object Ilis plan of ambition was cool, deli berate, and systematic : this was early observed by Cato, who used to say, Unum ex omnibus C.csarem ad evcrtcn. dam rem/zublieam sobrium acccssisse. Sueton. Vit. C.
But it would be an unfair representation of his charac ter to stop with these observations : he possessed so many splendid endowments of genius, and so many amiable qualities of the heart, that we are at a loss whether we should most detest his ambition, or admire his learning, his taste, his humanity, his munificence. He had no propensity to cruelty, nor any thirst for blood : he had too little jealousy of mankind for his own safety, and less than might have been expected from his great penetra tion. Cicero, who detested his politics, and who cele
brates the authors of his assassination as heroes and de liverers of their country, is nevertheless candid enough to acknowledge his extraordinary merit in other respects. Ile allows him to be a most admirable writer ; a perfect master of the chastest latinity ; an orator inferior to none, who had made eloquence the whole study of their lives. glad he lived, it is probable that his administration would have been the most splendid and the most liberal of any which have occurred in the annals of despotism. Give him but the title and honour of master, and he seemed willing to allow the utmost freedom of thinking and act ing. Even after he had reached the zenith of his power, Cicero hesitated not to write an culogium on Cato, who had always been Caesar's most inveterate political enemy, and had killed himself rather than submit to his power : So far from shewing any resentment at this, he emir red the lists with Cicero, on a field where it was thought could contend with him, and published an examination of Cato's character, in a work entitled " Anticato ;" in which he pointed out the blemishes of his character, and endeavoured to show that Cicero's praise of him was greatly exaggerated.
In his military character, it is probable that be never has been equalled. Like Alexander the Great. he often undertook enterprizes which would have been rash and ruinous in the hands of ordinary leaders, but the success of which was secured by the vast resources of his mind. Indeed the Grecian conqueror can scarcely stand a com parison with Cxsar. He over-ran nations sunk in luxury and effeminacy : Cxsar conquered the conquerors of the world, and triumphed over the most accomplished and skilful leaders. His Commentaries are not only speci mens of the purest latinity, but they are a treasure of military science, and show the vigilance and skill conti nually exercised by this great commander.
We may perhaps even find some palliation for his am bition in the degenerate state of Roman manners. He saw that the republic was virtually dead ; and that the sovereignty must soon be the prize of the man who had power or address to seize it. This made him less scru pulous about the measures which he employed ; whilst the generosity of his nature taught him to believe, that he could render his usurpation a public benefit. In no hands could unlimited power more safely be lodged ; for the world has never seen a more able nor a more amiable despot than Julius Cxsar. (g) CiESARIAN SECTION, 01' OPERATION. See MID WIFERY.