Such was his infatuation that he immediately followed her, leaving his fleet, which, after a contest of some hours, yielded to the squadron of Octavius. Antony and Cleopatra perished miserably, while Octavius was now left without a rival, with the government of Rome in his hands. Egypt which had existed a kingdom from immemorial ages, from this time became a province of Rome.
The empire had now become the largest which the world had ever seen; and Octavius, now named Augustus, holding the principal offices of the state, became the absolute master of the lives and fortunes of the Roman people. During a long administration, he almost obliterated the memory of his former cruelties, and seemed to consult only the good of his subjects.
THE CHARACTER OF JULIUS CÆSAR.
Cæsar was endowed with every great and noble quality, that could exalt human nature, and give a man the ascendant in society: formed to excel in peace, as well as war; provident in council; fearless in action; and executing what he had resolved with an amazing celerity; generous beyond measure to his friends; placable to his enemies; and for learning, and eloquence, scarce inferior to any man. His orations were admired for two qualities, which are seldom found together, strength and elegance. Cicero ranks him among the greatest orators that Rome ever bred; and Quinctilian says, that he spoke with the same force with which he fought; and if he had devoted himself to the bar, would have been the only man capable of rivalling Cicero. Nor was he a master only of the politer arts, but conversant also with the most abstruse and critical parts of learning; and among other works which he published, addressed two books to Cicero, on the analogy of language, or the art of speaking and writing correctly He was a most liberal patron of wit and learning, wheresoever they were found; and out of his love of those talents, would readily pardon those who had employed them against himself: rightly judging that by making such men his friends, he
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