CHAPTER V.
The Roman empire, and the Roman emperors, it might naturally be supposed
by one who had not as yet traversed that tremendous chapter in the history
of man, would be likely to present a separate and almost equal interest.
The empire, in the first place, as the most magnificent monument of human
power which our planet has beheld, must for that single reason, even
though its records were otherwise of little interest, fix upon itself the
very keenest gaze from all succeeding ages to the end of time. To trace
the fortunes and revolutions of that unrivalled monarchy over which the
Roman eagle brooded, to follow the dilapidations of that aerial arch,
which silently and steadily through seven centuries ascended under the
colossal architecture of the children of Romulus, to watch the unweaving
of the golden arras, and step by step to see paralysis stealing over the
once perfect cohesion of the republican creations,--cannot but insure a
severe, though melancholy delight. On its own separate account, the
decline of this throne-shattering power must and will engage the foremost
place amongst all historical reviews.
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