better worth hearing than what you have already said."
This rudeness shocked and spread a gloom over the whole party,
particularly as Mr. Israel Wilkes was a gentleman of a very amiable
character and of refined taste, and, what Dr. Johnson little
suspected, a very loyal subject. Johnson afterwards owned to me that
he was very sorry that he had "_snubbed_ Wilkes, as his wife was
present." I replied, that he should be sorry for many reasons. "No,"
said Johnson, who was very reluctant to apologize for offences of
this nature; "no, I only regret it because his wife was by." I
believe that he had no kind of motive for this incivility to Mr.
Israel Wilkes but disgust at his brother's political principles.

MISS REYNOLDS'S RECOLLECTIONS.

XXIV. THE POLICY OF THE EMPIRE IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

EDWARD GIBBON.--1737-1794.

_From_ THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

In the second century of the Christian era, the empire of Rome
comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized
portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were
guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valor. The gentle but powerful
influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the
provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages
of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved
with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the
sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive
powers of government. During a happy period of more than fourscore
years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and
abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines.

The principal conquests of the Romans were achieved under the republic;
and the emperors, for the most part, were satisfied with preserving
those dominions which had been acquired by the policy of the senate, the
active emulation of the consuls, and the martial enthusiasm of the
people. The seven first centuries were filled with a rapid succession of
triumphs; but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious
design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of
moderation into the public councils. Inclined to peace by his temper and
situation, it was easy for him to discover that Rome, in her present
exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of
arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars, the undert