phic warrior; and his modest despatches
were stigmatized as the vain and elaborate fictions of a loquacious
Greek, a speculative soldier, who had studied the art of war amid the
groves of the academy.

The voice of malicious folly was at length silenced by the shouts of
victory; the conqueror of the Franks and Alemanni could no longer be
painted as an object of contempt; and the monarch himself was meanly
ambitious of stealing from his lieutenant the honorable reward of his
labors. In the letters crowned with laurel, which, according to ancient
custom, were addressed to the provinces, the name of Julian was omitted.
"Constantius had made his dispositions in person; _he_ had signalized
his valor in the foremost ranks; _his_ military conduct had secured the
victory; and the captive king of the barbarians was presented to _him_
on the field of battle," from which he was at that time distant about
forty days' journey. So extravagant a fable was incapable, however, of
deceiving the public credulity, or even of satisfying the pride of the
Emperor himself. Secretly conscious that the applause and favor of the
Romans accompanied the rising fortunes of Julian, his discontented mind
was prepared to receive the subtle poison of those artful sycophants,
who colored their mischievous designs with the fairest appearances of
truth and candor. Instead of depreciating the merits of Julian, they
acknowledged, and even exaggerated, his popular fame, superior talents,
and important services. But they darkly insinuated that the virtues of
the caesar might instantly be converted into the most dangerous crimes if
the inconstant multitude should prefer their inclinations to their duty;
or if the general of a victorious army should be tempted from his
allegiance by the hopes of revenge and independent greatness. The
personal fears of Constantius were interpreted by his council as a
laudable anxiety for the public safety; while in private, and perhaps in
his own breast, he disguised, under the less odious appellation of fear,
the sentiments of hatred and envy, which he had secretly conceived for
the inimitable virtues of Julian.

The apparent tranquillity of Gaul, and the imminent danger of the
eastern provinces, offered a specious pretence for the design which was
artfully concerted by the imperial ministers. They resolved to disarm
the caesar; to recall those faithful troops who guarded his person and
dignity; and to employ, in a distant war