ous an author, than on the long harangues which Appian ascribes to
the deputies and the consul. I can never believe, that so rational,
judicious, and just a man as Polybius, could have approved the proceedings
of the Romans on the present occasion. We do not here discover, in my
opinion, any of the characteristics which distinguished them anciently;
that greatness of soul, that rectitude, that utter abhorrence of all mean
artifices, frauds, and impostures, which, as is somewhere said, formed no
part of the Roman disposition; _Minime Romanis artibus_. Why did not the
Romans attack the Carthaginians by open force? Why should they declare
expressly in a treaty (a most solemn and sacred thing) that they allowed
them the full enjoyment of their liberties and laws; and understand, at
the same time, certain private conditions, which proved the entire ruin of
both? Why should they conceal, under the scandalous omission of the word
_city_ in this treaty, the perfidious design of destroying Carthage? as
if, beneath the cover of such an equivocation, they might destroy it with
justice. In short, why did the Romans not make their last declaration,
till after they had extorted from the Carthaginians, at different times,
their hostages and arms, that is, till they had absolutely rendered them
incapable of disobeying their most arbitrary commands? Is it not manifest,
that Carthage, notwithstanding all its defeats and losses, though it was
weakened and almost exhausted, was still a terror to the Romans, and that
they were persuaded they were not able to conquer it by force of arms? It
is very dangerous to be possessed of so much power, as to be able to
commit injustice with impunity, and with a prospect of being a gainer by
it. The experience of all ages shows, that states seldom scruple to commit
injustice, when they think it will conduce to their advantage.

The noble character which Polybius gives of the Achaeans, differs widely
from what was practised here.(881) That people, says he, far from using
artifice and deceit towards their allies, in order to enlarge their power,
did not think themselves allowed to employ them even against their
enemies, considering only those victories as solid and glorious, which
were obtained sword in hand, by dint of courage and bravery. He owns, in
the same place, that there then remained among the Romans but very faint
traces of the ancient generosity of their ancestors; and he thinks it
incumbent on h