I (i t
CHAP.
IV.
and popu-larity.
THE DECLINE AND FALL
lands in Italy and the provinces, to those whowould improve them; with an exemption fromtribute, during the term of ten years/
Such an uniform conduct had already securedto Pertinax the noblest reward of a sovereign,the love and esteem of his people. Those whoremembered the virtues of Marcus, were happyto contemplate, in their new emperor, the fea-tures of that bright original, and flattered them-selves, that they should long enjoy the benigninfluence of his administration. A hasty zeal toreform the corrupted state, accompanied withless prudence than might have been expectedfrom the years and experience of Pertinax , prov-ed fatal to himself and to his country. His honestindiscretion united against him the servile crowd,who found their private benefit in the publicdisorders, and who preferred the favour of a ty-rant to the inexorable equality of the laws. 5Amidst the general joy, the sullen and angrythe pr®. countenance of the praetorian guards betrayedtheir inward dissatisfaction. They had reluc-tantly submitted to Pertinax , they dreaded thestri-ctness of the ancient discipline, which he waspreparing to restore, and they regretted the li-cence of the former reign. Their discontentswere secretly fomented by Laetus their prefect,who found, when it was too late, that his newemperor would reward a servant, but would not
Discontent