of Praetorian praefect, as less illustrious than the title of Sophist,
(in Vit. Sophist. p. 135.) The critics have observed a similar sentiment
in one of the epistles (xviii. edit. Wolf) of Libanius himself.]

[Footnote 26: Near two thousand of his letters--a mode of composition
in which Libanius was thought to excel--are still extant, and already
published. The critics may praise their subtle and elegant brevity; yet
Dr. Bentley (Dissertation upon Phalaris, p. 48) might justly, though
quaintly observe, that "you feel, by the emptiness and deadness of
them, that you converse with some dreaming pedant, with his elbow on his
desk."]

[Footnote 27: His birth is assigned to the year 314. He mentions the
seventy-sixth year of his age, (A. D. 390,) and seems to allude to some
events of a still later date.]

[Footnote 28: Libanius has composed the vain, prolix, but curious
narrative of his own life, (tom. ii. p. 1-84, edit. Morell,) of which
Eunapius (p. 130-135) has left a concise and unfavorable account. Among
the moderns, Tillemont, (Hist. des Empereurs, tom. iv. p. 571-576,)
Fabricius, (Bibliot. Graec. tom. vii. p. 376-414,) and Lardner, (Heathen
Testimonies, tom. iv. p. 127-163,) have illustrated the character and
writings of this famous sophist.]

Chapter XXIV: The Retreat And Death Of Julian.--Part II.

The martial impatience of Julian urged him to take the field in the
beginning of the spring; and he dismissed, with contempt and reproach,
the senate of Antioch, who accompanied the emperor beyond the limits of
their own territory, to which he was resolved never to return. After a
laborious march of two days, [29] he halted on the third at Beraea,
or Aleppo, where he had the mortification of finding a senate almost
entirely Christian; who received with cold and formal demonstrations of
respect the eloquent sermon of the apostle of paganism. The son of one
of the most illustrious citizens of Beraea, who had embraced,
either from interest or conscience, the religion of the emperor, was
disinherited by his angry parent. The father and the son were invited
to the Imperial table. Julian, placing himself between them, attempted,
without success, to inculcate the lesson and example of toleration;
supported, with affected calmness, the indiscreet zeal of the aged
Christian, who seemed to forget the sentiments of nature, and the duty
of a subject; and at length, turning towards the afflicted youth, "Since
you have lost