“Augustus was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still enjoyed their ancient freedom.”
–Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 3, 1776
“Always scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh! Mr. Gibbon?”
–William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, upon receiving the second volume from the author, 1781