216

THE DECLINE AND FALL

CHAP.

XIX.

of the Latin tongue." Since Julian was not ori-ginally designed for the character of a legislatoror a judge, it is probable that the civil jurispru-dence of the Romans had not engaged any con-siderable share of his attention: but he derivedfrom his philosophic studies an inflexible regardfor justice, tempered by a disposition to clemen-cy; the knowledge of the general principles ofequity and evidence, and the faculty of patient-ly investigating the most intricate and tediousquestions which could be proposed for his dis-cussion. The measures of policy, and the ope-rations of war, must submit to the various acci-dents of circumstance and character, and theunpractised student will often be perplexed inthe application of the most perfect theory. Butin the acquisition of this important science, Ju-lian was assisted by the active vigour of his owngenius, as well as by the wisdom and experienceof Sallust , an officer of rank, who soon conceiv-ed a sincere attachment for a prince so worthyof his friendship; and whose incorruptible in-tegrity was adorned by the talent of insinuatingthe harshest truths, without wounding the deli-cacy of a royal ear. 1

u Aderat Latine qtioqne disserenti sufficiens sermo. Ammianus , xvi,5. But Julian, educated iu the schools of Greece , always consideredthe language of the Homans as a foreign and popular dialect, whichhe might use on necessary occasions.

x Wc are ignorant of the actual office of this excellent minister,whom Julian afterwards created praefect of Gaul, Sallust was speedi-ly recalled by the jealousy of the emperor; and we may still read asensible but pedantic discourse (p. 210-252), in which Julian depkireathe loss of so valuable a friend, to whom he acknowledges himself in-debted for his reputation. See La Bleterie, Preface a la Vie de Jo*vien, p. 20.