Without the lofty spirit and beautiful mind of Pericles, without the prodigal but effeminate graces of Alcibiades--without, indeed, any of their Athenian poetry in his intellectual composition, he yet possessed much of their powers of persuasion, their ready talent for business, and their genius of intrigue.

But his mind, if coarser than that of either of his successors, was yet perhaps more masculine and determined; nothing diverted him from his purpose--nothing arrested his ambition.

His ends were great, and he associated the rise of his country with his more selfish objects, but he was unscrupulous as to his means.

Avid of glory, he was not keenly susceptible to honour.
He seems rather not to have comprehended, than comprehending, to have disdained the limits which principle sets to action.

Remarkably far-sighted, he possessed, more than any of his contemporaries, the prophetic science of affairs: patient, vigilant, and profound, he was always energetic, because always prepared.
Such was the rival of Aristides, and such the rising leader of the popular party at Athens.
III.