187, 213, 243.)] [Footnote 17: See the Greek and Latin narratives in Nicetas (in Alexio Comneno, c.

10) and William of Tyre, (l.xxii.c.10, 11, 12, 13;) the first soft and concise, the second loud, copious, and tragical.] In the series of the Byzantine princes, I have exhibited the hypocrisy and ambition, the tyranny and fall, of Andronicus, the last male of the Comnenian family who reigned at Constantinople.

The revolution, which cast him headlong from the throne, saved and exalted Isaac Angelus, [18] who descended by the females from the same Imperial dynasty.

The successor of a second Nero might have found it an easy task to deserve the esteem and affection of his subjects; they sometimes had reason to regret the administration of Andronicus.

The sound and vigorous mind of the tyrant was capable of discerning the connection between his own and the public interest; and while he was feared by all who could inspire him with fear, the unsuspected people, and the remote provinces, might bless the inexorable justice of their master.