Vast, therefore, unexampled, immeasurable, was the basis of natural power
upon which the Roman throne reposed. The military force which put Rome in
possession of this inordinate power, was certainly in some respects
artificial; but the power itself was natural, and not subject to the ebbs
and flows which attend the commercial empires of our days, (for all are in
part commercial.) The depression, the reverses, of Rome, were confined to
one shape--famine; a terrific shape, doubtless, but one which levies its
penalty of suffering, not by elaborate processes that do not exhaust their
total cycle in less than long periods of years. Fortunately for those who
survive, no arrears of misery are allowed by this scourge of ancient days;
[Footnote: "_Of ancient days_."--For it is remarkable, and it serves
to mark an indubitable progress of mankind, that, before the Christian
era, famines were of frequent occurrence in countries the most civilized;
afterwards they became rare, and latterly have entirely altered their
character into occasional dearths.] the total penalty is paid down at
once. As respected the hand of man, Rome slept for ages in absolute
security.
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