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read his Discourses might be able to draw from them that utility for which we ought to read history.

The three books of the Discourses are entitled Discourses on the first Decade of Livy, but they refer to many matters which are not in the first ten books, to events both of antient and modern history. When Machiavelli speaks of Romulus and Numa, it is not to discuss the history of these two personages, but to expound the military and religious systems of Rome. He does not enter into learned discussions on Patricians and Plebeians, but he clearly explains the nature of the struggle between these two bodies. When he speaks of the superstitious practices of Rome, it is to show us the power of religious opinions, and how the belief of the people was used by their leaders for political purposes. He shows us the meaning of men's actions and of events by taking off the covering under which they are hid. His Discourses, as far as they go, are a practical commentary on Roman history; and Roman history is the matter of his disquisition, the storehouse of his examples, which he converts into useful lessons by teaching us to understand them.

So much I have thought it just to say about a writer whom I have used for many years, and have often referred to in this work. As I have learned much from him I acknowledge my obligations; and because he has seldom been fairly judged, and often most foolishly and unjustly calumniated, I declare my conviction of the honesty of the man, and my admiration of his political lessons.

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Death of P. Cornelius Scipio 116. C. Licinius Geta.

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Livy, Epit. 52, 53, 54; Polybius, 40. 8, &c.; Frontinus de Aquæ Duc-
tibus; Strabo, iv. 205; viii. 381; Justinus, 38, 8; Diodorus, 630;
Gellius, vii. 12; Orosius, v. 4; Macrobius, Sat. ii. 13.

The tribune C. Licinius Crassus proposes a bill for the election of the
Sacerdotes by the people-L. Mummius and the settlement of the affairs
of Achaea after the destruction of Corinth-Polybius-The pictures and
works of art which Mummius sent to Italy-The temple of Felicitas built
and dedicated by L. Lucullus-The construction of the aqueduct named
Aqua Marcia-The campaign of Appius Claudius against the Salassi and

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