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THE OBSERVATION.
IN the first book I observed the authority which the Roman Leaders had to undertake a war, without further acquainting the Senate with the consequence thereof: in this place let us observe the care and circumspection which the Generals had, who did not undertake a troublesome and dangerous war upon a humour, or any other flender motion; but diligently weighing the cir∣cumstances thereof, and measuring the perill and hazard of the war, with the good and consequence of the effect, informed their judgements of the importance of that action, and so tried whether the benefit would answer their labour. And thus we find the reasons particularly delivered that moved Caesar first to undertake the Helvetian war; and then the causes which drew him on to the quarrell with Ariovistus; then followeth the necessity of that war with the Belgae; and now the motives which induced him to this with the ma••itime Cities of Bretagne; and so conse∣quently of his passage into Germany, or what o∣ther enterprise he attempted: which he layeth down as the grounds and occasions of those wars, and could not be avoyded but with the losse and dishonour of the Roman Empire.
Further, let us observe the means he used to prevent the inclination of the Galles, and to keep them in subjection and peaceable obedience, by sending his men into divers quarters of that Con∣tinent, and so setling the wavering disposition of the further skirts with the weight of his Army, and the presence of his legionary souldiers, which he sent ready to stifle all motions of rebellion in the beginning, that they might not break out to the prejudice and diminution of the Roman Em∣pire, and the good successe of his proceedings: besides the advantage which he gained in the o∣pinion of the Enemy; whom he so little feared concerning the upshot of that quarrell, that he had dispersed t••e greatest part of his Army upon other services, the rest being sufficient to end that war.