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THE DECLINE AND FALL

xvm descend from that elevated station from whence

.. the various characters of human nature appear

to wear a smootli and uniform aspect. The in-dulgence of Constantine admitted them, at avery tender age, to share the administration ofthe empire; and they studied the art of reign-ing at the expence of the people entrusted totheir care. The younger Constantine was ap-pointed to hold his court in Gaul; and his bro-ther Constantins exchanged that department,the ancient patrimony of their father, for themore opulent, but less martial, countries of theEast. Italy , the Western Illyricum, and Africa,were accustomed to revere Constans , the thirdof his sons, as the representative of the greatConstantine . He fixed Daluiatius on the Gothicfrontier, to which he annexed the government ofThrace, Macedonia, and Greece . The city ofCaesarea was chosen for the residence of Hanni-balianus ; and the provinces of Pontus, Cappa-docia , and the Lesser Armenia, were destined toform the extent of his new kingdom. For eachof these princes a suitable establishment wasprovided. A just proportion of guards, of le-gions, and of auxiliaries, was allotted for theirrespective dignity and defence. The ministersand generals, who were placed about their per-sons, were such as Constantine could trust toassist, and even to control, these youthful so-vereigns in the exercise of their delegated power.As they advanced in years and experience, thelimits of their authority were insensibly en-larged: but the emperor always reserved forhimself the title of Augustus ; and while he