THE DECLINE AND FALL

244

CHAP.

VI.

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Educationand virtu*ous temperof Alexan-der.

Journal ofhis ordi-nary life.

lour, and the love of discipline, the only quali-fications for military employments/

But the most important care of Mamsea andher wise counsellors, was to form the characterof the young emperor, on whose personal quali-ties the happiness or misery of the Roman worldmust ultimately depend. The fortunate soil as-sisted, and even prevented, the hand of cultiva-tion. An excellent understanding soon convin-ced Alexander of the advantages of virtue, thepleasure of knowledge, and the necessity of la-bour. A natural mildness and moderation oftemper preserved him from the assaults of pas-sion and the allurements of vice. His unalter-able regard for his mother, and his esteem forthe wise Ulpian , guarded his unexperiencedyouth from the poison of flattery.

The simple journal of his ordinary occupa-tions exhibits a pleasing picture of an accom-plished emperor/ and with some allowance forthe difference of manners, might well deservethe imitation of modern princes. Alexanderrose early; the first moments of the day wereconsecrated to private devotion, and his domes-tic chapel was filled with the images of thoseheroes, who, by improving or reforming human

x Herodian, 1. vi, p. 203. Hist. August, p. 119. The latter insinu-ates, that when any law was to be passed, the council was assisted by anumber of able lawyers and experienced senators, whose opinions wereseparately given, and taken down in writing.

y See his life in the Augustan history. The undistinguishing com-piler has buried these interesting anecdotes under a load of trivial andunmeaning circumstances