170

THE DECLINE AND FALL

CHAP.

XIX.

But the eunuchs were skilled in the arts of flat-tery and intrigue; and they alternatively govern-ed the mind of Constantius by his fears, his in-dolence, and his vanity . 11 Whilst he viewed ina deceitful mirror the fair appearance of publicprosperity, he supinely permitted them to inter-cept the complaints of the injured provinces, toaccumulate immense treasures by the sale ofjustice and of honours, to disgrace the mostimportant dignities by the promotion of thosewho had purchased at their hands the powersof oppression , 1 and to gratify their resentmentagainst the few independent spirits who arro-gantly refused to solicit the protection of slaves.Of these slaves the most distinguished was thechamberlain Eusebius , who ruled the monarchand the palace with such absolute sway, thatConstantius , according to the sarcasm of an im-partial historian, possessed some credit with thishaughty favourite . 11 By his artful suggestions,

parated from the rest of human kind, would be more firmly attached tothe person of their benefactor. But a long experience has contradict-ed the judgment of Cyrus. Some particular instances may occur ofeunuchs distinguished by their fidelity, their valour, and their abilitiesbut if wc examine the genera! history of Persia, India, and China , weshall find that the power of the eunuchs has uniformly marked the de-cline and fall of every dynasty.

h See Ainmianus MarceUinus, 1. xxi, c. 16; 1. xxii, c. 4. The wholetenor of his impartial history serves to justify the invectives of Mamer-tinus, of Libanius , and of Julian himself, who have insulted the vicesof the court of Constantius .

* Aurelius Victor censures the negligence of his sovereign in choos-ing the governors of the provinces, and the generals of the army; andconcludes his history with a very bold observation, as it is much moredangerous under a feeble reign to attack the ministers than the masterhimself. “ Uti vertim absolvam brevi, ut imperatore ipso clarius ita“ apparitorum plerisqtie tnagis atrox nihil.”

* Apud quern (si vere hid debcat) mnltum Constantius potuit. Am-inian. I. xviii, c. 4.