His account of the conversion of Constantine is remarkably just, and he is more generous to the first Christian Emperor than Niebuhr or Neander.

He plunges into the Arian controversy with manifest delight, and has given in a few pages one of the clearest and most memorable _resumes_ of that great struggle.

But it is when he comes to the hero of that struggle, to an historic character who can be seen with clearness, that he shows his wonted tact and insight.

A great man hardly ever fails to awaken Gibbon into admiration and sympathy.

The "Great Athanasius," as he often calls him, caught his eye at once, and the impulse to draw a fine character, promptly silenced any prejudices which might interfere with faithful portraiture.