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WHen the Conflagration had consum'd all things round about it, the Effigies of Tiberius only remain'd untouch'd: So that the Claudii were look'd upon as pe∣culiarly favour'd by the Gods, and there was a farther addition of Re∣verence and Adoration to the Place, wherein the Gods had shew'n so high an Honour to the Prince.
Says D'Ablancourt, It was a Remarkable Testimony that the Cla••dian Family was Sa∣cred and Favour'd by the Gods, and that the
Place deserv'd a particular Reverence where they had shew'd a Miracle so particular in fa∣vour of the Prince.
Flatterers conster all things to the Princes Honour, and cry up for Testimo∣nials of their Vertue, those Accidents which are the effect of Chance and Ha∣zard only. They never mind, that Flat∣tery becomes Ridiculous, unless it be such as is pleasing to the Prince. And such was this same Adulation of the Se∣nate, upon this occasion; for that Tibe∣rius had a custom to appropriate Honours to himself from all Accidents, that would bear a favourable Construction. On the other side, he could not chuse but be highly satisfi'd, to see the Senate make a Construction so different from that of the People, who laid the Fire to his Charge, and all the other Calamities that had befallen the City, as having left it a little before, in spight of the unlucky Signs and Omens that appear'd upon the Augur's Consultations. The good For∣tune of Princes, many times supplys the place of Merit; for Men have always a high Opinion of their Worth, so long as they are happy. Let the Accidents that happen, be ne're so meerly Casual, they
are taken for assur'd Omens of their Grandeur, and are of great importance to improve that Veneration which Men pretend to be their due.