uct be dutiful and consistent. Retire to your quarters; refresh your
minds and bodies; and expect the accustomed donative on the accession of
a new emperor." [25] The astonished troops, with a mixture of pride, of
satisfaction, and of terror, confessed the voice of their master.

Their angry clamors subsided into silent reverence; and Valentinian,
encompassed with the eagles of the legions, and the various banners of
the cavalry and infantry, was conducted, in warlike pomp, to the palace
of Nice. As he was sensible, however, of the importance of preventing
some rash declaration of the soldiers, he consulted the assembly of
the chiefs; and their real sentiments were concisely expressed by the
generous freedom of Dagalaiphus. "Most excellent prince," said that
officer, "if you consider only your family, you have a brother; if you
love the republic, look round for the most deserving of the Romans."
[26] The emperor, who suppressed his displeasure, without altering his
intention, slowly proceeded from Nice to Nicomedia and Constantinople.
In one of the suburbs of that capital, [27] thirty days after his own
elevation, he bestowed the title of Augustus on his brother Valens;
[27a] and as the boldest patriots were convinced, that their opposition,
without being serviceable to their country, would be fatal to
themselves, the declaration of his absolute will was received with
silent submission. Valens was now in the thirty-sixth year of his age;
but his abilities had never been exercised in any employment, military
or civil; and his character had not inspired the world with any sanguine
expectations. He possessed, however, one quality, which recommended him
to Valentinian, and preserved the domestic peace of the empire; devout
and grateful attachment to his benefactor, whose superiority of genius,
as well as of authority, Valens humbly and cheerfully acknowledged in
every action of his life. [28]

[Footnote 24: Ammianus, in a long, because unseasonable, digression,
(xxvi. l, and Valesius, ad locum,) rashly supposes that he understands
an astronomical question, of which his readers are ignorant. It is
treated with more judgment and propriety by Censorinus (de Die Natali,
c. 20) and Macrobius, (Saturnal. i. c. 12-16.) The appellation of
Bissextile, which marks the inauspicious year, (Augustin. ad Januarium,
Epist. 119,) is derived from the repetition of the sixth day of the
calends of March.]

[Footnote 25: Valentinian's first