“Qualis erat populi facies, clamorque faventum
  Olim cum juvenis—­”

and something unspeakably solemn in the sudden turn which follows

 “Crastina dira quies—­”

There are two passages in Lucan which surpass in eloquence anything that I know in the Latin language.  One is the enumeration of Pompey’s exploits

 “Quod si tam sacro dignaris nomine saxum—­”

The other is the character which Cato gives of Pompey,

 “Civis obit, inquit—­”

a pure gem of rhetoric, without one flaw, and, in my opinion, not very far from historical truth.  When I consider that Lucan died at twenty-six, I cannot help ranking him among the most extraordinary men that ever lived.

[The following remarks occur at the end of Macaulay’s copy of the Pharsalia

August 30, 1835.

“When Lucan’s age is considered, it is impossible not to allow that the poem is a very extraordinary one; more extraordinary, perhaps, than if it had been of a higher kind; for it is more common for the imagination to be in full vigour at an early time of life than for a young man to obtain a complete mastery of political and philosophical rhetoric.  I know no declamation in the world, not even Cicero’s best, which equals some passages in the Pharsalia.  As to what were meant for bold poetical flights,—­ the sea-fight at Marseilles, the Centurion who is covered with wounds, the snakes in the Libyan desert, it is all as detestable as Cibber’s Birthday Odes.  The furious partiality of Lucan takes away much of the pleasure which his talents would otherwise afford.  A poet who is, as has often been said, less a poet than a historian, should to a certain degree conform to the laws of history.  The manner in which he represents the two parties is not to be reconciled with the laws even of fiction.  The senators are demigods; Pompey, a pure lover of his country; Cato, the abstract idea of virtue; while Caesar, the finest gentleman, the most humane conqueror, and the most popular politician that Rome ever produced, is a bloodthirsty ogre.  If Lucan had lived, he would probably have improved greatly.”  “Again, December 9, 1836,”]

I am glad that you have so much business, and sorry that you have so little leisure.  In a few years you will be a Baron of the Exchequer; and then we shall have ample time to talk over our favourite classics.  Then I will show you a most superb emendation of Bentley’s in Ampelius, and I will give you unanswerable reasons for pronouncing that Gibbon was mistaken in supposing that Quintus Curtius wrote under Gordian.

Remember me most kindly to Mrs. Ellis.  I hope that I shall find Frank writing as good Alcaics as his father.

Ever yours affectionately

T. B. MACAULAY.

Calcutta:  March 8, 1837.