CHAPTER XI.. The Fall of the Empire.

THE FALL OF THE EMPIRE.

False Security of the Roman People--Their stupendous Delusions--The Invasion of Barbarians--Their Characteristics--Their alternate Victory and Defeat--Desolation of the Provinces--The Degeneracy of the Legions-- General Imbecility and Cowardice--Great public Misfortunes--General Union of the Germanic Nations--Their Leaders--Noble but vain Efforts of a Succession of warlike Emperors--The rising Tide of Barbarians--Their irresistible Advance--The Siege and Sack of Rome--The Fall of Cities-- Miseries of all Classes--Universal Despair and Ruin--The Greatness of the Catastrophe--Reflections on the Fall of Rome