POPLICOLA AND SOLON. 229

verted and dissolved a potent monarchy, strongly settled by long continuance ; uniting thus to virtues equal to those, and purposes identical with those of Solon, the good fortune and the power that alone could make them effec- tive. In military exploits, Daimachus of Plataea will not even allow Solon the conduct of the war against the Megari- ans, as was before intimated ; but Poplicola was victorious in the most important conflicts, both as a private soldier and commander. In domestic politics, also, Solon, in play, as it were, and by counterfeiting madness, induced the enterprise against Salamis ; whereas Poplicola, in the very beginning, exposed himself to the greatest risk, took arms against Tarquin, detected the conspiracy, and, being principally concerned both in preventing the escape of and afterwards punishing the traitors, not only expelled the tyrants from the city, but extirpated their very hopes. And as, in cases calling for contest and resistance and manful opposition, he behaved with courage and resolu- tion, so, in instances where peaceable language, persua- sion, and concession were requisite, he was yet more to be commended ; and succeeded in gaining happily to re- conciliation and friendship, Porsenna, a terrible and invincible enemy. Some may, perhaps, object, that Solon recovered Salamis, which they had lost, for the Athenians ; whereas Poplicola receded from part of what the Romans were at that time possessed of; but judgment is to be made of actions according to the times in which they were performed. The conduct of a Avise politician is ever suited to the present posture of affairs ; often by forego- ing a part he saves the whole, and by yielding in a small matter secures a greater ; and so Poplicola, by restoring what the Romans had lately usurped, saved their un- doubted patrimony, and procured, moreover, the stores

of the enemy for those who were only too thankful to