OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

The honest indignation expressed by Martin,vice-prsefect of the island, was interpreted asan evidence of his own guilt; and the governorwas urged to the necessity of turning againsthis breast the sword with which he had beenprovoked to wound the imperial minister. Themost innocent subjects of the West were ex-posed to exile and confiscation, to death andtorture; and as the timid are always cruel,the mind of Constantius was inaccessible tomercy. k

167

CHAP.

XVIII.

k Amraian. xiv, $; xxi, IS.