Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 edition. Excerpt: ... hit liberality; and the whole nation indebted to him for extraordinary services. It may therefore easily be supposed, that they did not refuse him a quiet retreat in their country; and if we consider his haughty and unforgiving temper, and his inextinguishable hatred to the Roman tribunes and the popular party, these will sufficiently account for his not seeking, or even desiring to return, to Rome. According to Cicero, (in Lsel.) Coriolanus killed himself. It may be proper, in the close of the history of this famous Roman, to mention, that, though Dionysius (whom Plutarch copies) lias been followed, in the text, in what he says of Coriolanus's consent to be tried by the people, and of his defence at his trial against the accusations of the tribunes I yet from the character of this patrician, so haughty, obstinate, and untractable, Livy's account seems more credible. Not a word in the Latin historian of any such consent, or defence, or even trial. He affirms, that Coriolanus did not appear on the day appointed for bis trial, and was condemned in his absence. Dr. Middleton, in his treatise on the Roman Senate (p. 21), prefers the authority of Dionysius to that of Livy. Where these (says he) happen to differ, it cannot be-difficult to decide, which of them ought to have the preference; nay, it is already decided by the judgment of all the best critics; who, upon the comparison, have universally preferred the diligence and accuracy of Dionysius to the haste and negligence of Livy." To call in question the judgment of all the best critics, must be an extreme presumption. I shall therefore only say, that if so mighty an authority had not decided in favour of Dionysius, I should, in many instances, prefer (with regard to the history of the...
