upon himself, and the rest of the ceremonies to be observed which are practised at funerals; cut off a tuft of his hair, in imitation of victims: embraced such of his friends as were present; entreated them to be merry that day, to feast and carouse with Alexander; assuring them at the same time, that they would soon see that prince in Babylon. - After saying these words, he ascended, with the utmost cheer, fulness, the funeral pile, laid himself down upon it, and cov ered 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 posture 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); in fine, others applauded this false heroism, which had enabled him to triumph in this manner over sorrow 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 Calanus'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 18 or 20 pints. After receiving the prize, which was a crown worth af talent, he survived his victory but three days. Of these guests, 41 died of their intemperance: a scene worthy of closing that which Calanus had a little before exhibited !

From Passogardæ, 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, upon advice that Alexander was going to Susa, he came down again to the mouth of the Pasi-Tigris, 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 his 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 Arian, de Indic. p. 357. 358.

Diod.

*$1000 crowns,

had taken of the fleet; and for having conducted it so far safe, through numberless dangers..

2

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 Hephæstion; and in or der 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 amongst the noblest families of Persia, about 80 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 solemnised after the Persian manner. He likewise feasted 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.

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, officers, where all debts were paid, without asking the name either of 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 seeining to suspect the truth of his promise, and said to them, "that a "king ought hever to forfeit his word with his subjects; 66 nor his subjects suspect that he could be guilty of so shame, "ful 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.

99

And now there arrived at Susa 30,000 Persian young men, mostly of the same age, and called Epigones, that is, successors; as coming to relieve the old soldiers in their duty and long fatigues. Such only had been made choice of

*About 1,500,000l.

tOu gar chrenai out oun ton basilea allo ti e aletheucin pros tos hupeko ous, oute lon archomenon tina allo lie alelheuein dokein loh basilea.

as were the strongest and best shaped in all Persia, and had been sent to the governors of such cities as were either 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. These 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 these were harassed and tired out with the length of the war, and often vented murmurs and complaints in the assemblies, he for that reason was desirous of training up those new forces, purposely to check the licentiousness of the veterans. It is dangerous to disgust a whole nation, and to favour foreigners too openly.

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 his 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 he amassed 5000 talents, that is, above 750,0001. assembled 6000 soldiers, withdrew into Attica, and landed at Athens. Immediately all such orators as made a trade of eloquence, ran to him in crowds, all ready to be corrupted by bribes, as they were before by hopes of them. Harpalts 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 under his protection, well knowing the prodigious authority he had over the people.

The fame of his probity, and particularly of his disinterestedness, had gained him this credit. Philip's deputies had offered him great sums of money in that prince's name, and 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 glory of his name: "If they resem

Plut.in Demoflh, p. 857,858. $700,000 crowns,

†Plut, in Phoc. p. 751.

"ble me," replied Phocion, " the little spot of ground, "with 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, upon what design Alexander sent him so great a sum, and did not remit any to the rest of the Athenians? "It is,” replied they, "because Alex"ander looks upon you as the only just and virtuous man." Says Phocion, let him suffer me still to enjoy that charac"ter, and be really what I am taken for."

The reader will suppose, that he did not give a more favourable reception to the persons 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 Har palus. He advised the Athenians to drive him out from their city, and not to involve it in a war, upon a very uns just occasion, and at the same time without the least necessity.

f

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 of solid gold, 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 it. Demosthenes taking the cup, was surprised at its heaviness, and accordingly asked how much it weighed? Harpalus answered with a smile, 20 § 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 if no

*Si mei fimiles erunt, idem hic, inquit, agellus illos alet, qui me jad hanc dignitatem preduxit; fin diffimiles funt futuri, nolo meis impenfis illorum ali augerique luxuriam. Cor. Nep. in Phoc c, .

Plut. in Phoc. p. 749. $100,000 crowns. $20,000 crowns. The expreffion in the Greek is full of beauty and spirit. Plutarch compares the gold which had been accepted by Demofthenes, to a garrifon of the enemy which a governor had received into his city, and thereby difpoffeffed himself of the command of it. Flegois, bupo tes dorodokias ofter, paradedegmenos phrouraan.

longer master of himself, he joined on a sudden with Harpalus's party; and the very next morning, wrapping his neck well in woollen cloths, 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 orators 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 exempted from this injury 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 empowered to .take cognisance of this matter. He was the first they tried and fined, upon being convicted, 50 ftalents, 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 Ægina or Trezena, 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, and on all occasions.

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 Philoxenes 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,

*It is impoffible to tranflate the agreeable play of the Greek words. Ouch 'upo sunagches ephrazon all'ap' árguragches cilephthai nuktor ton demagogon. Paufan. 1, ii, p, 148.

+50,000 crowns.