spotless character, being said to have all Themistocles' powers, without his duplicity. On his father's death, he was put in chains for his fine, which was payed before he was released. His youth scarcely promised much; being disinclined to learning, a thing very uncommon in an Athenian, and of dissipated habits. On occasion of the Persian invasion, he began to show his better character; being the first to set about removing his goods on board the fleet, and much distinguished in the succeeding wars. Having a command at sea, he gained many victories, seizing an immense number of Phoenician and other vessels, as well as plundering the enemy's towns and fortresses on the coast: by which he accumulated immense booty, and became as remarkable for wealth as for valour. In the magnificent and patriotic expenditure of this wealth he much distinguished himself, and of course added not a little to the popularity his virtues acquired him. Besides many publick works, such as adorning the forum with palm trees, and beautifying the academy with walks and gardens for the accommodation of the citizens, he affected the utmost extravagance in his own expenditure. The inclosure of his grounds and gardens was removed, that all might enter freely and take of their productions. His table was always open, and spread with the most expensive delicacies, of which the poorest man in Athens might come and eat freely. When he went abroad, he was attended by a train of young gentlemen, whose pockets were well filled with money. If by chance he met an ancient citizen in tattered garments, he made one of his attendants change cloaks with him: or if the person was of too high rank to be openly relieved, he took a sum of money from his attendants, and conveyed it privily into the pocket of the distressed person. The desire of popularity does not appear to have been the motive of this liberality, as it so usually is-for Cimon always took, part with the nobility, and

openly opposed those who endeavoured to give power into the hands of the people.

The riches which Cimon's victories brought into Athens tended greatly to her general corruption: but himself, with all his splendour, is considered to have been as little influenced and corrupted by wealth, as Aristides in his voluntary poverty. Aristides had always loved him, and endeavoured early to bring him forward, in hope by his openness and integrity to defeat the craft of Themistocles.

A train of petty but successful warfare against the surrounding states and islands, brought Athens at this period to her highest reach of prosperity, and Cimon to the summit of renown. It was now that Lacedæmon, endangered by the rebellion of her slaves, condescended to ask aid of Athens. Some would have refused it, as impolitic to preserve a rival and an enemy: but Cimon, a friend always to the Spartans by whom he had been supported against Themistocles, prevailed, led an army to their assistance, and returned with added glory. On occasion, however, of a second expedition for the same purpose, the Athenians, as we mentioned in Spartan history, were rudely dismissed, and thus the previous animosity of the states was confirmed.

It was now that, as mentioned elsewhere, Athens interfered between Persia and Egypt, and carried her arms into the latter kingdom, though not eventually with any advantage to themselves.

Aristides lived only four years after the banishment of Themistocles. Though he had held repeatedly the highest offices in the commonwealth, and largely participated in the wars by which immense riches were amassed, he was so poor as barely to maintain himself, and had nothing to bequeath to his children, but the honour of being descended from him, which procured for them a publick maintenance. There is no stain upon his character, of which strict integrity seems to have been the prominent feature. In all probability his

talents were less brilliant than those of his rival Themistocles; and though more trusted and beloved, he does not appear, at any time, to have had equal influence in the affairs of Athens, or in the management of her foreign politicks. The versatile and crafty character of Themistocles, was perhaps better suited to this capricious people, than the rigid virtue and simplicity of Aristides.

The same factious spirit continued in Athens between the nobility and the people, who, after the loss of Themistocles, found a leader in the orator Pericles; Cimon, revered and beloved by all, having placed himself at the head of the Aristocratic party, to suppress the encroachments of the commons, struggling perpetually to deprive the nobles of the small degree of power and superiority remaining to them. Pericles had extraordinary talents, and an eloquence that surpassed all his contemporaries; but he was long obliged to conceal his powers, the Athenians regarding him with jealousy, because he resembled Pisistratus in person, and in his powers of oratory. To lall these suspicions, he long declined holding any office, or speaking in publick. Now that Aristides. was dead, Themistocles in banishment, and Cimon generally engaged in foreign warfare, Pericles prepared to act his part. From seeing it the only path to distinction not pre-occupied, rather than from principle or natural disposition, he paid court only to the lowest of the people. The behaviour he assumed was altogether singular: he left off all company; neither received visits nor paid them; and but once in all his administration was present at a feast, whence he then retired early. He never went abroad but to the assembly: in his looks, speech, and gesture, he maintained an immoveable gravity, and always prayed before he delivered an oration. The liberality of Cimon, which Pericles had not the means to imitate, was the greatest obstacle to his schemes of popularity: but this he surmounted by scattering of the publick money what he had not of his own, increasing the salaries and allowances of the lower

classes. By these machinations and the influence of his resistless eloquence he laid the foundation of his greatness, and caused the subversion of the constitution.

It was now thought time for Cimon to share the fate of his predecessors-an accusation was laid against him, of having accepted presents from Macedonia, when, after his victories in Thrace, he might have invaded it. Cimon pleaded that having done his utmost in successful war against the enemies of Athens, he had not invaded Macedon, because he did not consider himself the universal enemy of mankind, to attack a people who had always acted honourably towards the Athenians. At his trial, Pericles, who had been appointed to speak as his accuser, thought proper to speak but lightly of the offence. In consequence, Cimon escaped capital punishment, but was banished by the Ostracism to satisfy the apprehensions of the people, for whom he had grown too great, Meantime, Pericles and his colleague Ephialtes were aiding the commons to encroach on the constitution, by transferring from the court of Areopagus to other tribunals most of the causes that had used to be decided there.

The states of Peloponnesus had watched with jealous eyes the increasing prosperity of Athens, and under pretext of attacking or defending the rights and liberties of the smaller estates, a sort of warfare was already going on between her and Sparta. In one of these engagements, the Athenian army being drawn up for battle, the banished Cimon suddenly appeared in full armour, and took his post among the troops of his own tribe. The popular faction, forgetting in their resentment the interest of the state, insisted on his retiring, his term of banishment not having expired. Cimon yielded to the clamour, but not till he had engaged his friends to prove there were in the field no better men than the followers of Cimon. They desired him to leave his armour with them, which he did; and with it in the midst of them, the battle being unsuccessful, they were all slain. This cir

cumstance excited a wish in Athens for Cimon's return; which Pericles perceiving, took advantage of the publick feeling to gain for himself the merit of his recall; in return for which Cimon never after opposed his projects, but employed himself in gaining new honours, and new conquests abroad. B.C. 449.

The monarchs of Persia, having no rest from the attacks and inroads of the Athenians under this victorious leader, made now a final treaty, most glorious to the Greeks, but not a little acceptable to the Asiatics, Athens engaging no more to invade and ravage their provinces. During this treaty Cimon died, either of sickness, or of his wounds. When he found himself at the point of death, he sent for his principal officers, and advised them to embark the men, conceal his death, and sail home, lest the disclosure of it, at that time, should injure the interests of Athens. We must consider Cimon as the last, as well as the greatest of the heroes of Athens-for all who followed him sought their own advantage rather than their country's, and worked her more ill than good. His countrymen could charge him with no fault, but constant attachment to the Lacedæmonians, whose character and government probably suited the honesty and simplicity of his disposition, better than the levity of his own people.

From the death of Cimon, the prosperity of Athens began to decline, notwithstanding the military success of Pericles, who obliged the Lacedæmonians to a peace for thirty years. It is upon record that at this period of her most brilliant achievements, subduing foreigners, humbling her rival neighbours, sending out colonies, excelling in learning and every higher art, the whole number of citizens was found to be no more than 14,040 persons.

We must refer to larger histories for the particulars of the warfare with the neighbouring states, that makes up the history of Greece at this period-full of success to Athens and honour to Pericles, but the foundation of his