He desired the senate to salute him no longer at the palace, nor take it amiss, if, for the future, he could not converse with them, as formerly.
[Sidenote: U.C.

762.] 11.

From that time Tibe'rius was joined in the government of the provinces with him, and invested with nearly the same authority.
However, Augustus could not entirely forsake the administration, which habit had rendered a source of pleasure; and he still continued a watchful guardian, and showed himself, to the last, a lover of his people.12.Finding it now, therefore, very inconvenient to come to the senate, by reason of his age, he desired to have twenty privy-counsellors assigned him for a year; and it was decreed, that whatever measures were resolved upon by them and the consuls, should have entirely the force of a law.13.He seemed apprehensive of his approaching end, for he made his will, and delivered it to the vestal virgins.

He then solemnized the census, or numbering the people, whom he found to amount to four millions one hundred and thirty-seven thousand; which shows Rome to be equal to four of the greatest cities of modern times.14.While these ceremonies were performing, in the midst of a mighty concourse of people in the Cam'pus Mar'tius, it is said that an eagle flew round the emperor several times, and, directing its flight to a neighbouring temple, perched over the name of Agrippa: this omen was, by the augurs, conceived to portend the death of the emperor.15.Shortly after, having accompanied Tibe'rius in his march into Illyr'ia, he was taken ill.

Returning thence, he sent for Tibe'rius and his most intimate friends.