CHAPTER XI.
NERO AND HIS TUTOR.
The imperial youth, whose destinies are now inextricably mingled with those of Seneca, was accompanied to the throne by the acclamations of the people.

Wearied by the astuteness of an Augustus, the sullen wrath of a Tiberius, the mad ferocity of a Caius, the senile insensibility of a Claudius, they could not but welcome the succession of a bright and beautiful youth, whose fair hair floated over his shoulders, and whose features displayed the finest type of Roman beauty.

There was nothing in his antecedents to give a sinister augury to his future development, and all classes alike dreamt of the advent of a golden age.

We can understand their feelings if we compare them with those of our own countrymen when the sullen tyranny of Henry VIII.

was followed by the youthful virtue and gentleness of Edward VI.