to ascertain either the day of his birth, or that of his death, I trust that the circumstances of his history, now presented to the reader, may meet the approbation, and engage the attention, of every man who is conversant with classical learning and polite literature.-I shall make no further apology for this unambitious undertaking, but proceed to give the reason for trespassing on the public with a new translation of the life of Atticus, from the Latin of Cornelius Nepos, which has been so often given to the English reader. This life of Atticus I have here introduced, first, from his being a contemporary with Messala, and, secondly, from my humbly conceiving that a new version of the same, with notes historical and criti cal, together with illustrations more applicable to the text than had been given by former translators, might not be thought unacceptable at a time, when a dignified independence of character, and disinterested integrity, are so necessary to give stability to the state, and active energy to a constitution, which has stood the test of ages, and escaped a concussion. of events, which has laid prostrate all the kingdoms of Europe.-To the whole is subjoined a brief historical sketch of the five first Cæsars, written some years ago, to elucidate a genealogy, which, without some such leading clue, is often obscure and perplexing. It is now offered to the public, from its being, in some measure, illustrative of the time wherein these two eminent personages lived; and from its demonstrating to the sovereigns of the earth, that no characters, however exalted by birth, or power, can long support their high authority, without the constant and vivifying influence of religion and virtue. |