was their conduct; but for ours--fallen as we
have on a solitude manifest to you all--look if it bears any
resemblance. Have not more than fifteen hundred talents been lavished
ineffectually on the distressed people of Greece? Have not all private
fortunes, the revenues of the state, the contributions from our
allies, been squandered? Have not the allies, whom we gained in the
war, been lost recently in the peace? But forsooth, in these respects
only was it better anciently than now, in other respects worse. Very
far from that! Let us examine what instances you please. The edifices
which they left, the ornaments of the city in temples, harbors, and
the like, were so magnificent and beautiful, that room is not left
for any succeeding generation to surpass them; yonder gateway, the
Parthenon, docks, porticos, and others structures, which they adorned
the city withal and bequeathed to us. The private houses of the men in
power were so modest and in accordance with the name of the
constitution, that if any one knows the style of house which
Themistocles occupied, or Cimon, or Aristides, or Miltiades, and the
illustrious of that day, he perceives it to be no grander than that of
the neighbors. But now, ye men of Athens--as regards public
measures--our government is content to furnish roads, fountains,
whitewashing, and trumpery; not that I blame the authors of these
works; far otherwise; I blame you, if you suppose that such measures
are all you have to execute. As regards individual conduct--your men
in office have (some of them) made their private houses, not only more
ostentatious than the multitude, but more splendid than the public
buildings; others are farming land which they have purchased of such
an extent as once they never hoped for in a dream.

The cause of this difference is, that formerly the people were lords
and masters of all; any individual citizen was glad to receive from
them his share of honor, office, or profit. Now, on the contrary,
these persons are the disposers of emoluments; everything is done by
their agency; the people are treated as underlings and dependents, and
you are happy to take what these men allow you for your portion.

ORATION ON THE CROWN.

(_By Demosthenes._)

Let me begin, men of Athens, by imploring, of all the Heavenly Powers,
that the same kindly sentiments which I have, throughout my public
life, cherished towards this country and each one of you, may now by
you be shown t