size, and of beauty more than human, so far as its lineaments could be
traced in the early dawn. What is singular, however, in the story, on any
hypothesis which would explain it out of Caesar's individual condition, is,
that others saw it as well as he; both pastoral laborers, (who were
present, probably, in the character of guides,) and some of the sentinels
stationed at the passage of the river. These men fancied even that a
strain of music issued from this aerial flute. And some, both of the
shepherds and the Roman soldiers, who were bolder than the rest, advanced
towards the figure. Amongst this party, it happened that there were a few
Roman trumpeters. From one of these, the phantom, rising as they advanced
nearer, suddenly caught a trumpet, and blowing through it a blast of
superhuman strength, plunged into the Rubicon, passed to the other bank,
and disappeared in the dusky twilight of the dawn. Upon which Caesar
exclaimed:--"It is finished--the die is cast--let us follow whither the
guiding portents from Heaven, and the malice of our enemy, alike summon us
to go." So saying, he crossed the river with impetuosity; and, in a sudden
rapture of passionate and vindictive ambition, placed himself and his
retinue upon the Italian soil; and, as if by inspiration from Heaven, in
one moment involved himself and his followers in treason, raised the
standard of revolt, put his foot upon the neck of the invincible republic
which had humbled all the kings of the earth, and founded an empire which
was to last for a thousand and half a thousand years. In what manner this
spectral appearance was managed--whether Caesar were its author, or its
dupe--will remain unknown for ever. But undoubtedly this was the first
time that the advanced guard of a victorious army was headed by an
apparition; and we may conjecture that it will be the last. [Footnote:
According to Suetonius, the circumstances of this memorable night were as
follows:--As soon as the decisive intelligence was received, that the
intrigues of his enemies had prevailed at Rome, and that the interposition
of the popular magistrates (the tribunes) was set aside, Caesar sent