him to change his resolution; but, receiving a stern reprimand, desisted from his persuasions.  His sword being at length brought to him, he seemed satisfied, and cried out, “Now, again, I am master of myself.”  He took up the book again, which having pursued, he fell into a sound sleep.  Upon awaking, he called to one of his freedmen to know if his friends were embarked, or if any thing yet remained that could be done to serve them.  The freedman, assuring him that all was quiet, was ordered to leave the room.  Cato no sooner found himself alone, than, seizing his sword, he stabbed himself below his chest.  The blow not despatching him, he fell from his bed and overturned a table, on which he had been drawing some geometrical figures.  At the noise of the fall, his servants shrieked, and his son and friends immediately flew to the room.  They found him weltering in his blood, with his bowels appearing through the wound. 11.  The surgeon, perceiving that his intestines were not wounded, was replacing them; but Cato recovering himself, and understanding their intention was to preserve his life, forced the surgeon from him, and, with a fierce resolution, tore out his bowels and expired.

12.  Upon the death of Cato, the war in Africa being completed, Caesar returned in such triumph to Rome, as if he had abridged all his former triumphs only to increase the splendour of this.  The citizens were astonished at the magnificence of the procession, and at the number of the countries he had subdued. 13.  It lasted four days:  the first was for Gaul, the second for Egypt, the third for his victories in Asia, and the fourth for that over Juba in Africa.  His veteran soldiers, scarred with wounds, and now laid up for life, followed their triumphant general, crowned with laurels, and conducted him to the Capitol. 14.  To every one of those he gave a sum equivalent to about a hundred and fifty pounds sterling, double that sum to the centurions, and four times as much to the superior officers.  The citizens also shared his bounty:  to every one he distributed ten bushels of corn, ten pounds of oil, and a sum of money equal to about two pounds sterling.  After this he entertained the people at above twenty thousand tables, treated them with combats of gladiators, and filled Rome with a concourse of spectators from every part of Italy.

15.  The people, intoxicated with pleasure, thought their freedom too small a return for such benefits.  They seemed eager only to find out new modes of homage, and unusual epithets of adulation for their great enslaver.  He was created, by a new title, Magis’ter Mo’rum, or Master of the Morals of the People.  He received the title of Emperor and father of his country.  His person was declared sacred; and, in short, upon him alone were devolved for life all the great dignities of the state. 16.  It must be owned, that so much power could never have been entrusted to better keeping.  He immediately began his empire by repressing vice and encouraging virtue.  He committed the power of judicature to the senators and knights alone; and by many sumptuary laws restrained the scandalous luxuries of the rich.  He proposed rewards to all such as had many children, and took the most prudent method of re-peopling the city, which had been exhausted in the late commotions.