In his crowded forty-eighth chapter, which is devoted to the subject, he passes over events and characters with such speed that his history in this part becomes little more than a chronicle, vivid indeed, but barren of thoughtful political views.

His account of the Isaurian period may be instanced among others as an example of defective treatment.

If we turn to the judicious Finlay, we see what an immense but generally unacknowledged debt Europe owes to the Greek empire.

The saving of Christendom from Mohammedan conquest is too easily attributed to the genius of Charles Martel and his brave Franks.

The victory at Tours was important no doubt, but almost a century previously the followers of the prophet had been checked by Heraclius; and their memorable repulse before Constantinople under the Isaurian Leo was the real barrier opposed to their conquest of the West.