that had the courage to accept of this commission, which was a very hazardous one, because they were to sail over a sea entirely unknown to them. The king was very much pleased at his accepting of it; and, after testifying his acknowledgment upon that account in the most obliging terms, he commanded him to take the best ships in the fleet, and to go and observe the sea-coast, extending from the Indus to the bottom of the Persian gulf; and, after having given these orders, he set out by land for Babylon. Nearchus did not leave the Indus at the same time with Alexander. It was not yet the season proper for sailing. It was summer, when the southern seawinds rise; and the season of the north-winds, which blow in winter, was not yet come. He therefore did not set sail till about the end of September, and even that was too soon; and accordingly he was incommoded by adverse winds some days after bis departure, and obliged to shelter himself for twenty-four days. We are obliged for these particulars to Arrian, who has given us an exact journal of this voyage, copied from that of Nearchus the admiral. Alexander, after having left Patala, marched through the country of the Oritæ, the capital whereof was called Ora or Rhambacis. Here he was in such want of provisions, that he lost a great number of soldiers; and brought back from India scarce the fourth part of his army, which had consisted of 120,000 foot, and 15,000 horse. Sickness, bad food, and the excessive heats, had swept them away in multitudes; but famine made a still greater havoc among the troops in this barren country, which was neither ploughed nor sowed; its inhabitants being savages, who fared very hard, and led a most uncomfortable life. After they had eaten all the palm-tree roots that could be met with, they were obliged to feed upon the beasts of burden, and next upon their war-horses; and when they had no beasts left to carry their baggage, they were forced to burn those rich spoils, for the sake of which the Macedonians had run to the extremities of the earth. The plague, the usual attendant upon famine, completed the calamity of the soldiers, and destroyed great numbers of them. country echoed with the sound of instruments, and the howling of the Bacchanals, who, with their hair dishevelled, and like so many frantic creatures, ran up and down, abandoning themselves to every kind of licentiousness. All this he did in imitation of the triumph of Bacchus, who, as we are told, crossed all Asia, in this equipage, after he had conquered India. This riotous, dissolute march lasted seven days, during all which time the army was never sober. It was very happy, says Quintus Curtius, for them, that the conquered nations did not think of attacking them in this condition; for 1000 resolute men, well armed, might with great ease have defeated the conquerors of the world, whilst thus plunged in wine and excess. Nearchus, still keeping along the sea-coast, from the mouth of the Indus, came at last into the Persian gulf, and arrived at the island of Harmusia, now called Ormus. He there was informed, that Alexander was not above five days' journey from him. Having left the fleet in a secure place, he went to meet Alexander, accompanied only by four persons. The king was very anxious about his fleet. When news was brought him that Nearchus was arrived almost alone, he imagined that it had been entirely destroyed, and that Nearchus had been so very happy as to escape from the general misfortune. His arrival confirmed him still more in his opinion, when he beheld a company of pale, lean creatures, whose countenances were so much changed, that it was scarce possible to know them again. Taking Nearchus aside, he told him, that he was overjoyed at his return, but at the same time was inconsolable for the loss of his fleet. "Your fleet, royal Sir," cried he immediately, "thanks to the gods, is not lost:" upon which he related the condition in which he had left it. Alexander could not refrain from tears, and confessed that this happy news gave him greater pleasure than the conquest of all Asia. He heard, with uncommon delight, the account Nearchus gave of his voyage, and the discoveries he had made; and bid him return back, and go quite up the Euphrates as far as Babylon, pursuant to the first orders he had given him. In Carmania, many complaints were made to Alexander, concerning governors and other officers, who After marching threescore days, Alexander arrived had grievously oppressed the people of various proat the confines of Gedrosia, where he found plenty of vinces during his absence: for, fully persuaded he all things: for not only the soil was very fruitful, but would never return, they had exercised every species the kings and great men, who lay nearest that coun- of rapine, tyranny, cruelty, and oppression. Alextry, sent him all kind of provisions. He continued ander, strongly affected with their grievances, and some time here, in order to refresh his army. The pierced to the very soul with their just complaints, put governors of India having sent, by his order, a great to death as many as were found guilty of mal-adminnumber of horses, and all kinds of beasts of burden, istration, and with them 600 soldiers, who had been the from the several kingdoms subject to him, he remount- instruments of their exactions and other crimes. He ed his troops; equipped those who had lost every ever afterwards treated with the same severity all such thing; and soon after presented all of them with arms, of his officers as were convicted of the like guilt, so as beautiful as those they had before, which it was that his government was beloved by all the conquered very easy for him to do, as they were upon the con- nations. He was of opinion, that a prince owes these fines of Persia, at that time in peace, and in a very examples of severity to his equity, which ought to flourishing condition. check every kind of irregularity; to his glory, to prove He arrived in Carmania, now called he does not connive, or share in the injustice commit. A. M. 3679. Kerman, and went through it, not ted in his name; to the consolation of his subjects, Ant. J. C. 325. with the air and equipage of a war- which he supplies with a vengeance which themselves rior and a conqueror, but in a kind of ought never to exercise; in fine, to the safety of his masquerade and Bacchanalian festivity; committing dominions, which, by so equitable an administration, is the most riotous and extravagant actions. He was secured from many dangers, and very often from insur drawn by eight horses, seated on a magnificent cha-rections. It is a great unhappiness to a kingdoin, riot, above which a scaffold was raised, in the form of a square stage, where he passed the days and nights in feasts and carousing. This chariot was preceded and followed by an infinite number of others, some of which, in the shape of tents, were covered with rich carpets and purple coverlets; and others, shaped like cradles, were overshadowed with branches of trees. On the sides of the roads, and at the doors of houses, a great number of casks ready broached were placed, whence the soldiers drew wine in large flagons, cups, and goblets, prepared for that purpose. The whole VOL. I.-72 1 Arrian. p. 335. when every part of it resounds with exactions, vexations, oppressions, and corruption, and not so much as a single man is punished, as a terror to the rest; and that the whole weight of the public authority falls only upon the people, and never on those who ruin them. The great pleasure Alexander took, in the account which Nearchus gave him of his successful voyage, inspired that prince with a great inclination for navi gation and voyages by sea. He proposed no less than to sail from the Persian gulf, round Arabia and Africa, and to return into the Mediterranean by the Straits of Gibraltar, called at that time Hercules's Pillars; a voyage which had been several times attempted, and once performed, by order of a king of Egypt, called Necho, as I have observed elsewhere. It was afterwards his design, when he should have humbled the pride of Carthage, against which he was greatly exasperated, to cross into Spain, called by the Greeks Iberia, from the river Iberus: he next was to go over the Alps, and coast along Italy, where he would have had but a short passage into Epirus, and from thence into Macedonia. For this purpose, he sent orders to the viceroys of Mesopotamia and Syria, to build in several parts of the Euphrates, and particularly at Thapsacus, ships sufficient for that enterprise; and he caused to be felled, on Mount Libanus, a great number of trees, which were to be carried into the above-mentioned city. But this project, as well as a great many more which he meditated, were all defeated by his early death. gloomy traces, as raise suspicions, jealousies, and distrusts. The artful slanderer is bold and indefatigable, because he is sure to escape unpunished; and is sensible, that he runs but very little danger, in greatly prejudicing others. With regard to the great, they seldom make inquiry into the grounds of these secret calumnies, either from indolence, inattention or shame, to appear suspicious, fearful, or diffident; in a word, from their unwillingness to own that they were im posed upon, and had abandoned themselves to a rash credulity. In this manner, the most unsullied virtue, and the most irreproachable fidelity, are frequently brought to inevitable ruin. Of this we have a sad example on the present occasion. Bagoas, after having taken his measures at distance, at last gave birth to his dark design. Alex ander having caused the monument of Cyrus to be opened, in order to perform funeral honours to the ashes of that great prince, found nothing in it, but an old rotten shield, two Scythian bows, and a scimetar; whereas he hoped to find it full of gold and silver, as the Persians had reported. The king laid a golden crown on his urn, and covered it with his cloak; vastly surprised that so powerful and renowned prince had been buried with no greater pomp than a private man. Bagoas thinking this a proper time for him to speak, "Are we to wonder," says he, “that we find the tombs of kings so empty, since the houses of governors of provinces are filled with the gold of which they have deprived them? I, indeed, had never seen this monument; but I have heard Darius say, that immense treasures were buried in it. Hence flowed the unbounded liberality and profusion of Orsines, who, by bestowing what he could not keep, without ruining himself, thought to make a merit of this in your sight." This charge was without the least foundation; and yet the Magi who guarded the sepulchre, were put to the torture, but all to no purpose; and nothing was discovered relating to the pretended theft. Their silence on this occasion ought naturally to have cleared Orsines; but the artful, insinuating discourses of Bagoas, had made a deep impression on Alexander's mind, and by that means given calumny an easy access to it. The accusers, whom Bagoas had suborned, having made choice of a favourable moment, came and impeached Orsines, and charged him with the commission of several odious crimes, and amongst the rest, with stealing the treasure of the monument. At this charge, the matter appeared no longer doubtful, and no farther proof was thought requisite; so that this prince was loaded with chains, before he so much as suspected that any accusation had been brought against him; and was put to death, without being so much as heard, or confronted with his accusers; too unhappy fate of kings, who do not hear and examine things in person; and who still continue infatuated, notwithstanding the numberless examples they read in history, of princes who have been deceived in like manner. Continuing his march, he went to Pasargada, a city of Persia. Orsines was governor of the country, and the greatest nobleman in it. He was a descendant of Cyrus; and, besides the wealth he inherited from his ancestors, he himself had amassed great treasures, having, for many years, ruled a considerable extent of country. He had done the king a signal piece of service. The person who governed the province during Alexander's expedition into India, happened to die; when Orsines observing, that, for want of a governor, all things were running to confusion, took the administration upon himself, composed matters very happily, and preserved them in the utmost tranquillity till Alexander's arrival. He went to meet him, with presents of all kinds for himself, as well as his officers. These consisted of a great number of fine and well-trained horses, chariots enriched with gold and silver, precious furniture, jewels, gold vases of prodigious weight, purple robes, and 4000 talents of silver in specie. However, this generous magnificence proved fatal to him: for when he presented such gifts to the principal grandees of the court, as infinitely exceeded their expectations, he passed by the eunuch Bagoas, the king's favourite; and this not through forgetfulness but out of contempt. Some persons telling him how much the king loved Bagoas, he answered, "I honour the king's friends, but not an infamous eunuch." These words being told Bagoas, he employed all his credit to ruin a prince descended from the noblest blood in the East, and irreproachable in his conduct. He even bribed some of Orsines' attendants, giving them instructions how to impeach him at a proper season; and in the mean time, whenever he was alone with the king, he filled his mind with suspicions and distrust, letting drop ambiguous expressions concerning that nobleman, as if by chance; and dissembling very artfully the motives of discontent. Nevertheless the king suspended his judgment for the present, but discovered less esteem than before for Orsines, who knew nothing of what was plotting against him, so secretly the affair was carried on; and the eunuch, in his private dis-king an Indian, named Calanus, reputed the wisest courses with Alexander, was perpetually charging him either with exactions or treason. The great danger to which princes are exposed, is the suffering themselves to be prejudiced and overreached in this manner by their favourites; a danger so common, that St. Bernard, writing to Pope Eugenius, assures him, that if he were exempt from this weakness, he may boast himself to be the only man in the world that is so. What is here spoken of princes, is applicable to all who are in power. Great men generally listen with pleasure to the slanderer; and for this reason, because he generally puts on the mask of affection and zeal, which soothes their pride. Slander always makes some impression on the most equitable minds; and leaves behind it such dark and 1 About 600,0002. a De Consider. lib. ii. c. 14. I have already said, that there had followed the man of his country, who, though he professed the practice of the most severe philosophy, had however been persuaded, in his extreme old age, to attend upon the court. This man, having lived fourscore and three years, without having been ever afflicted with sickness; and having a very severe fit of the colic, upon his arrival at Pasargada, resolved to put himself to death. Resolutely determined not to let the perfect health he had always enjoyed, be impaired by lingering pains; and being also afraid of falling into the hands of physicians, and of being tortured with loads of medicine, he besought the king to order the erecting of a funeral pile for him; and desired that after he Arrian. lib. vii. p. 276. Diod. lib. xvii. p. 573, 574. Plut. in Alex. P. 703. [See a former note on Passagarde, where this passage is considered, in the attempt to prove the identity of Pas sagarde with Persepolis.] had ascended it, fire might be set to it. Alexander at first imagined that Calanus might easily be dissuaded from so dreadful a design; but finding, in spite of all the arguments he could use, that Calanus was still inflexible, he at last was obliged to acquiesce in his request. Calanus then rode on horseback to the foot of the funeral pile; offered up his prayers to the gods; caused the same libations to be poured upon himself, and the rest of the ceremonies to be observed, which are practised at funerals; cut off a tuft of his hair, as was done to the victims at a sacrifice; embraced such of his friends as were present; entreated them to be merry that day, and carouse with Alexander; assuring them at the same time, that he would soon see that prince in Babylon. After saying these words he ascended, with the utmost cheerfulness, the funeral pile, laid himself down upon it, and covered his face; and when the flame catched him, he did not make the least motion; but with a patience and constancy that surprised the whole army, continued in the position in which he at first had laid himself; and completed his sacrifice, by dying pursuant to the custom practised by the sages of his country. The historian informs us,' that people differed very much in opinion with respect to this action. Some condemned it, as suiting only a frantic, senseless wretch; others imagined he was prompted to it out of vain-glory, merely for the sake of being gazed at, and to pass for a miracle in constancy (and these were not mistaken ;) others again applauded this false heroism, which had enabled him to triumph in this manner over pain and death. Alexander, being returned into his tent, after this dreadful ceremony, invited several of his friends and general officers to supper; and in compliance with Čalanus's request, and to do him honour, he proposed a crown, as a reward for him who should quaff most. He who conquered on this occasion, was Promachus, who swallowed four measures of wine, that is, eighteen or twenty pints. After receiving the prize, which was a crown, worth a talent, he survived his victory but three days. Of these guests, forty-one died of their intemperance: a scene worthy of closing that which Calanus had a little before exhibited ! From Pasargada, Alexander came to Persepolis; and, surveying the remains of the conflagration, was exasperated against himself for his folly in setting it on fire. From hence he advanced towards Susa. Nearchus, in compliance with his orders, had begun to sail up the Euphrates with his fleet; but being informed that Alexander was going to Susa, he came down again to the mouth of the Pasitigris, and sailed up this river to a bridge, where Alexander was to pass it. Then the naval and land armies joined. The king offered to the gods sacrifices, by way of thanks for his happy return; and great rejoicings were made in the camp. Nearchus received the honours due to him, for the care he had taken of the fleet; and for having conducted it so far safe through numberless dangers. Alexander found in Susa all the captives of quality he had left there. He married Statira, Darius's eldest daughter, and gave the youngest to his dear Hephaestion. And in order that by making these marriages more common, his own might not be censured, he persuaded the greatest noblemen in his court, and his principal favourites, to imitate him. Accordingly they chose from among the noblest families of Persia, about fourscore young maidens, whom they married. His design was, by these alliances, to cement so strongly the union of the two nations, that they should thenceforward form but one, under his empire. The nuptials were solemnized after the Persian manner. He like wise gave a feast to all the rest of the Macedonians, who had married before in that country. It is related that there were 9000 guests at this feast, and that he gave each of them a golden cup for the libations. ■ Diodorus. Arrian. de Indic. p. 357, 358. Not satisfied with this bounty, he would also pay his soldiers' debts. But finding that several would not declare the sum they owed, for fear of its being an artifice, merely to discover those among them who were too lavish of their money, he appointed in his camp, offices, where all debts were paid, without asking the name either of the debtor or creditor. His liberality was very great on this occasion, and gave prodigious satisfaction; we are told that it amounted to near 10,000 talents; but his indulgence, in permitting every person to conceal his name, was a still more agreeable circumstance. He reproached the soldiers for their seeming to suspect the truth of his promise, and said to them: "That a king ought never to forfeit his word with his subjects; nor his subjects suspect that he could be guilty of so shameful a prevarication:" a truly royal maxim, as it forms the security of a people, and the most solid glory of a prince; which, at the same time, may be renounced for ever, by the violation of a single promise; which in affairs of government is the most fatal of all errors. And now there arrived at Susa 30,000 Persian young men, most of the same age, and called Epigoni, that is, successors; as coming to relieve the old soldiers in their duty and long fatigues. Such only had been made choice of, as were the strongest and best shaped in all Persia; and had been sent to the governors of such cities as were either lately founded or conquered by Alexander. These had instructed them in military discipline, and in all things relating to the science of war. They were all very neatly dressed, and armed after the Macedonian manner. They came and encamped before the city, where, drawing up in battle array, they were reviewed; and performed their exercises before the king, who was extremely well pleased and very bountiful to them afterwards, at which the Macedonians took great umbrage. And indeed, Alexander observing that the latter were harassed and tired out with the length of the war, and often vented murmurs and complaints in the assemblies, was, for that reason, desirous of training up these new forces, purposely to check the licentiousness of the veterans. It is dangerous to disgust a whole nation, and to show too marked a preference to foreigners. In the mean time Harpalus, whom Alexander, during his expedition into India, had appointed governor of Babylon, quitted his service. Flattering himself with the hopes that this prince would never return from the wars in that country, he had given a loose to all kinds of licentiousness, and consumed in his infamous revels part of the wealth with which he had been intrusted. As soon as he was informed that Alexander, in his return from India, punished very severely such of his lieutenants as had abused their power, he meditated how he might best secure himself; and for this purpose amassed 5000 talents, that is, about 750,000l.; assembled 6000 soldiers, withdrew into Attica, and landed in Athens. Immediately all such orators as made a trade of their eloquence, ran to him in crowds, all ready to be corrupted by bribes, as they were before by hopes of them. Harpalus did not fail to distribute a small part of his wealth among these orators, to win them over to his interest, but he offered Phocion 700 talents, and even put his person and property under his protection, well knowing the prodigious influence he had over the people. The fame of his probity, and particularly of his disinterestedness, had gained him this influence. Philip's deputies had offered him great sums of money in that prince's name, entreating him to accept them, if not for himself, at least for his children, who were so poor that it would be impossible for them to support the About fifteen hundred thousand pounds. 5 Οὐ γὰρ χρῆναι οὔτ ̓ οὖν τὸν βασιλέα αλλό τι ἢ ἀληθεύειν πρὸς τοὺς ὑπηκόους, οὔτε τῶν ἀρχομένων τινὰ ἄλλό τι ἢ ἀλη θεύειν δοκεῖν τὸν βασιλέα. Arrian. 2 A thousand crowns. glory of his name: "If they resemble me," replied Phocion, "the little spot of ground, on the produce of which I have hitherto lived, and which has raised me to the glory you mention, will be sufficient to maintain them: if it will not, I do not intend to leave them wealth, merely to foment and heighten their luxury." Alexander having likewise sent him 100 talents, Phocion asked those who brought them," with what design Alexander had sent so great a sum to him alone of all the Athenians ?"—"It is," replied they, "because Alexander looks upon you as the only just and virtuous man.”—“ Let him, then,” says Phocion," suffer me still to enjoy that character, and be really what I am taken for." The reader will suppose, that he did not give a more favourable reception to the person sent by Harpalus. And indeed he spoke to them in very harsh terms, declaring that he should immediately take such measures as would be very disagreeable to the person on whose errand they came, in case he did not leave off bribing the city; so that Harpalus lost all hopes from that quarter. Demosthenes did not at first show more favour to Harpalus. He advised the Athenians to drive him out from their city, and not to involve it in a war upon a very unjust occasion, and at the same time without the least necessity. Some days after, Harpalus, as an inventory was taking of his goods, having observed that Demosthenes took a particular pleasure in viewing one of the king's cups, and that he admired the fashion and the beauty of the workmanship, desired him to take it in his hand, and tell him the weight of the gold. Demosthenes taking the cup, was surprised at its heaviness, and accordingly asked how much it weighed? Harpalus answered with a smile, Twenty talents,* I believe; and that very evening sent him that sum with the cup; for so great was Harpalus's penetration, that he could discover by the air, and certain glances, the foible of a man struck with the charms of gold. Demosthenes could not resist its power; but, overcome by this present, and being no longer master of himself, he joined on a sudden Harpalus's party; and the very next morning, having wrapped his neck well in wool and bandages, he went to the assembly. The people then ordered him to rise and make a speech, but he refused, making signs that he had lost his voice; upon which some wags cried aloud, that their orator had been seized in the night, not with a squinancy, but an argyrancy; thereby intimating, that Harpalus's money had suppressed his voice. The people being told next day of the gift which had been sent to Demosthenes were highly exasperated, and refused to hear his justification. Harpalus was thereupon expelled the city; and in order to discover the persons who had taken bribes, the magistrates commanded a strict search to be made in all houses, that of Caricles excepted, who having married but a little before, was exempt from this inquiry, out of respect to his bride. The politeness shown on this occasion does honour to Athens, and is not always exercised elsewhere. Demosthenes to prove his innocence, proposed a decree, by which the senate of the Areopagus was 1 Si mei similes erunt, idem hic, inquit, agellus, illos alet, qui me ad hanc dignitatem perduxit: sin dissimiles sunt futuri, nolo meis impensis illorum ali augerique luxuriam. Cor. Nep. in Phoc. c. 1. 2 Plut. in Phoc. p. 749. A hundred thousand crowns. Twenty thousand crowns. The expression in the Greek is full of beauty and spirit. Plutarch compares the gold which had been accepted by Demosthenes, to a garrison (of the enemy) which a governor had received into his city, and thereby dispossessed himself of the command of it. Anytis b τῆς δωροδοκίας ὥσπερ παραδεδεγμένος φρουράν. It is impossible to translate the agreeable play of those Greek words. Οὐκ ὑπὸ συνάγχης, ἔφραζον, ἀλλ' ἀπ' ἀργυ θάγχης ειλήφθαι νύκτωρ τὸν δημαγωγόν. empowered to take cognizance of this matter. He was the first they tried, and fined, upon being convicted, fifty talents," for the payment of which he was thrown into prison; however he found means to escape, and left his country. Demosthenes did not behave with resolution and magnanimity in his banishment, residing generally at gina or Trazene; and every time he cast his eyes on Attica, his face would be covered with tears; and he suffered such words to drop from him as were unworthy a brave man ; words, which by no means correspond with his resolute and generous behaviour during his administration. Cicero was reproached with the same weakness in his exile, which shows that great men are not such at all times, nor in all circumstances. It were to be wished, for the honour of eloquence, that what Pausanias relates in justification of Demosthenes were true; and it is very probable it was so. According to this author, Harpalus, after flying from Athens, was seized by Philoxenus the Macedonian; and being racked to extort from him the names of such Athenians as had been bribed by him, he did not once mention Demosthenes, whose name, had he been guilty, he would not have suppressed before Philoxenus, as that orator was his enemy. Upon the first report of Harpalus's flying to Athens, Alexander, fully determined to go in person to punish Harpalus and the Athenians, had commanded a fleet to be equipped. But after news was brought that the people in their assembly had ordered him to depart their city, he laid aside all thoughts of returning into Europe. Alexander, having still a curiousity to see the ocean, came down from Susa, upon the river Eulaus; and after having coasted the Persian gulf to the mouth of the Tigris, he went up that river towards the army which was encamped on the banks of it, near the city of Opis, under the command of Hephaestion. Upon his arrival there, he published a declaration in the camp, by which all the Macedonians, who, by reason of their age, wounds, or any other infirmity, were unable to support any longer the fatigues of the service, were permitted to return into Greece; declaring that his design was to discharge them, to be bountiful to them, and send them back to their native country in a safe and honourable manner. His intention, in making this declaration, was to oblige, and at the same time to give them the strongest proof of his affection for them. However, the very contrary happened; for being already disgusted upon some other accounts, especially by the visible preference which Alexander gave to foreigners, they imagined, that his resolution was to make Asia the seat of his empire, and to disengage himself from the Macedonians; and that the only motive of his discharging them, was, that they might make room for the new troops he had levied in the conquered countries. This alone was sufficient to exasperate them to fury. Without observing the least order or discipline, or regarding the remonstrances of their officers, they went to the king with an air of insolence which they had never assumed till then, and with seditious cries demanded to be all discharged; saying farther, that since he despised the soldiers who had gained him all his victories, he and his father Ammon might carry on the war against whomsoever and in what manner they pleased; but as for themselves, they were fully determined not to serve him any longer. The king, no way surprised, and without once hesitating, leaps from his tribunal; causes the principal mutineers, whom he himself pointed out to his guards, to be immediately seized, and orders thirteen to be punished. This bold and vigorous action, which thunderstruck the Macedonians, suppressed their insolence in an instant; quite amazed and confounded and scarce daring to look at one another, they stood Fifty thousand crowns. Pausan. Lii. p. 148. with downcast eyes, and were so dispirited, and trem- | lost his life. He was the most intimate friend the bled so prodigiously, that they were unable to speak king had, the confidant of all his secrets, and, to say or even to think. Seeing them in this condition, he all in a word, a second self. Craterus alone seemed reascended his tribunal, where, after repeating to them, to dispute this honour with him. An expression, with a severe countenance, and a menacing tone of which one day escaped that prince, shows the differvoice, the numerous favours which Philip his father hadence he made between these two courtiers. "Cratebestowed upon them, and all the marks of kindness rus," says he, "loves the king, but Hephaestion loves and friendship by which he himself had distinguished Alexander." This expression signifies, if I mistake them, he concluded with these words: "You all desire not, that Hephaestion was attached, in a tender and a discharge; I grant it to you. Go now, and publish affectionate manner, to the person of Alexander; but to the whole world, that you have left your prince to that Craterus loved him as a king, that is, was conthe mercy of the nations he had conquered, who were cerned for his reputation, and sometimes was less more affectionate to him than you." After speaking obsequious to his will, than zealous for his glory and this, he returns suddenly into his tent, cashiers his old interest. An excellent character, but very uncommon. guard; appoints another in its place, all composed of Persian soldiers; and shuts himself up for some days, without seeing any person all the time. Hephaestion was as much beloved by all the courtiers as by Alexander himself. Modest, even-tempered, beneficent; free from pride, avarice, and jealousy; he never abused his credit with the king, nor preferred himself to those officers, whose merit made them necessary to his sovereign. He was universally regretted; but his death threw Alexander into excessive sorrow, to which he abandoned himself in such a manner, as was unworthy so great a king. He seemed to receive no consolation, but in the extraordinary funeral honours to be paid to his friend on his arrival at Babylon, whither he commanded Perdiccas to carry his corpse. In order to remove, by business and employment, the melancholy ideas which the death of his favourite perpetually awakened in his mind, Alexander marched his army against the Cossæi, a warlike nation, inhabiting the mountains of Media, whom not one of the Persian monarchs had ever been able to conquer. However, the king reduced them in forty days, afterwards passed the Tigris, and marched towards Babylon. SECTION XVIII.—ALEXANDER ENTERS BABYLON, Had the Macedonians been sentenced to die, they could not have been more shocked, than when news was brought them, that the king had confided the care of his person to the Persians. They could suppress their grief no longer, so that nothing was heard but cries, groans, and lamentations. Soon after, they all run together to the king's tent, throw down their arms, confessing their guilt; acknowledging their fault with tears and sighs; declare that the loss of life will not be so grievous as the loss of honour; and protest that they will not leave the place till the king has pardoned them. Alexander could no longer resist the tender proofs they gave of their sorrow and repentance; so that when he himself, at his coming out of his tent, saw them in this dejected condition, he could not refrain from tears; and after some gentle reproaches, which were softened by an air of humanity and kindness, he declared so loud as to be heard by them all, that he restored them to his friendship. This was restoring them to life, as was manifest from their shouts. He afterwards discharged such Macedonians as were no longer able to carry arms, and sent them back to their native country with rich presents. He commanded, that at the exhibiting of the public games, they should be allowed the chief places in the theatre, and there sit with crowns on their heads; and gave orders that the children of those who had lost their lives in his service, should receive, during their minority, the same pay which had been given their fathers. Such support and honours granted to veterans, must necessarily ennoble, in a very conspicuous manner, the military profession. It is not possible for a government to enrich every soldier individually; but it may animate and console him by marks of distinction, which inspire a stronger ardour for war, more con- ALEXANDER being arrived within a league and a stancy in the service, and nobler sentiments and motives. half of Babylon, the Chaldeans, who pretended to Alexander appointed Craterus commander of these know futurity by the stars, deputed to him some of soldiers, to whom he gave the government of Mace- their old men, to warn him that he would be in danger donia, Thessaly, and Thrace, which Antipater had of his life, in case he entered that city, and were very enjoyed; and the latter was commanded to bring the urgent with him to pass by it. The Babylonish astrorecruits instead of Craterus. The king had long logers were held in such great reputation, that this adsince been quite tired with the complaints of his mo- vice made a strange impression on his mind, and filled ther and Antipater, who could not agree. She charg-him with confusion and dread. Upon this, after sended Antipater with aspiring at sovereign power, and the latter complained of her violent and untractable disposition; and had often declared in his letters, that she did not behave in a manner suitable to her dignity. It was with some reluctance Antipater resigned his government. From Opis, Alexander arrived at A. M. 3680. Ecbatana in Media, where, after havAnt. J. C. 324. ing despatched the most urgent affairs of the kingdom, he again solemnized games and festivals: there had come to him from Greece, 3000 dancers, makers of machinery, and other persons skilled in diversions of this kind. It happened very unluckily, during the celebration of these festivals, that Hephaestion died of a disease which he brought upon himself. Alexander abandoning himself to immoderate drinking, his whole court followed his example, and sometimes spent whole days and nights in these excesses. In one of them Hephæstion IN SPITE OF THE SINISTER PREDICTIONS OF THE ing several of the grandees of his court to Babylon, he himself went another way; and having marched about ten leagues, he stopped for some time in the place where he had encamped his army. The Greek philosophers, being told the foundation of his fear and scruples, waited upon him; when setting in the clearest light the principles of Anaxagoras, whose tenets they followed, they demonstrated to him, in the strong est manner, the vanity of astrology; and made him have so great contempt for divination in general, and for that of the Chaldeans in particular, that he immediately marched towards Babylon with his whole army. He knew that there were arrived in that city, ambassadors from all parts of the world, who waited for his coming; the whole earth echoing so much with the 1 Arrian. lib. vii. p. 294–309. Quint. Curt. lib. x. c. 4-7. Plut. in Alex. p. 705-707. 2 Diod. lib. xvii. p. 577-583. Justin. lib. xii. c. 13-16, |