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THE DECLINE AND FALL
CHAD.
X.
comparison with the Helvetic body; in whichevery canton, retaining its independent sove-reignty, consults with its brethren in the com-mon cause, without acknowledging the autho-rity of any supreme head, or representative as-sembly.® But the principle of the two confede-racies was extremely different. A peace of twohundred years has rewarded the wise and honestpolicy of the Swiss. An inconstant spirit, thethirst of rapine, and a disregard to the mostsolemn treaties, disgraced the character of theFranks.
The Romans had long experienced the daringvalour of the people of Lower Germany. Theunion of their strength threatened Gaul with amore formidable invasion, and required the pre-sence of Gallienus , the heir and colleague ofimperial power/ Whilst that prince, and hisinfant son Saloninus , displayed, in the court ofTreves, the majesty of the empire, its armieswere ably conducted by their general Posthu-mus, who, though he afterwards betrayed thefamily of Valerian, was ever faithful to the greatinterest of the monarchy. The treacherous lan-guage of panegyrics and medals darkly an-nounces a long series of victories. Trophies andtitles attest (if such evidence can attest) the fameof Posthumus, who is repeatedly styled the con-queror of the Germans, and the saviour of Gaul. *
' Simler de Republica Helvet. cum notis Fuselin.
E M. de Breqnigny (in the Memoires de l’Aeademie, tom. xxx) liasgiven us a very curious life of Posthumus. A series of the Augustanhistory, from medals and inscriptions, lias been more than once planned,and is still much wanted.