y, brought the
Russians into France, the boasted strength of the empire disappeared,
its allies passed over to the other side, and the mighty conqueror was
reduced to a painful defensive with fifty thousand men on the plains of
Champagne.

The Roman historians affirm that these great military virtues were
balanced by corresponding vices. Every scholar knows the inimitable
description of his character drawn by Livy. "Has tantas viri virtutes
ingentia vitia aequabant:--inhumana crudelitas; perfidia plusquam Punica;
nihil veri, nihil sancti; nullus deoram metus, nullum jusjurandum, nulla
religio." This, however, was his character as drawn by his enemies; and
by enemies who had suffered so much from his ability, that they were
incapable of forming a correct judgment on the subject. But the truth of
modern history has dispelled the illusion, and gathered facts sufficient
even from their prejudiced sources to demonstrate that the moral virtues
of Hannibal equalled his intellectual capacity. Certain it is, by their
own admission, that his generosity on several important occasions
afforded a example which the Romans would have done well to imitate, but
which they shewed themselves incapable of following. It was the
judicious clemency which he showed to the allies, which at length won
over so many of the Italian states to his side; and if this is to be
ascribed to policy, what are we to say to the chivalrous courtesy which
prompted him to send back the dead body of his inveterate enemy
Marcellus, surprised and slain by his Numidian horsemen, to obtain the
honours of sepulture from his countrymen? The Romans complained of his
cruelty; but men feel cruelty keenly when it is exercised on themselves;
and there are no instances recorded of his exceeding the established and
universal customs, ruthless as they were, of ancient warfare. Certain it
is, that nothing he ever did equalled the savage and cold-blooded
atrocity with which they tortured and massacred the citizens of Capua
and Syracuse, when they were again subdued by their arms. Hannibal's
disposition appears to have been gay and cheerful; there are many
instances recorded of his indulgence, in presence of danger, in a gaiety
of temper more akin to that of Henry IV. than the usual stern
determination of ancient warriors. On one memorable occasion, when his
army was in danger, and the spirit of his troops unusually depressed, he
indulged in mirth and jests to such an extent in h