Pliny's Epistles In Ten Books Part 9

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] He extols Virginius's Taste of Comedy. I Am in the Number of those, who admire the Antients; yet I do not, like some, despise the Wits of our own Age: For I do not think that Nature is so much upon the decay, that she can produce nothing at present that is commendable. I have then been to hear Virginius Roma.n.u.s reading a Comedy to a thin Audience, form'd upon the Model of the old Stage; yet so well done, that it may sometime be a Standard it self. I can't tell whether you know the Man, tho' you should know him. For he is very remarkable for the Probity of his Manners, the Elegance of his Wit, and the Variety of his Works. He has written some Iambic Drolls, with a lightness, a humorous Turn, a Beauty, and a Diction, that are all perfect in the kind. For there is no manner of Writing, that, if it be compleatly touch'd, has not a Right to be call'd extremely Eloquent and Masterly. He has written some Comedies in Imitation of Menander, and others of that Time; tho' you might reckon them among the Plays of Terrence and Plautus. He has now shewn himself the first Time in the antient Comedy, but not at all with the Air of a Beginner. He is neither defective in Force, Greatness, Refinement, Satyr, Sweetness, nor Gaiety. He has grac'd the Virtues, and the Vices he has lash'd; Fict.i.tious Names he has employ'd with Decency, the True, with Propriety: As for my Particular, he has express'd too much good Humour, tho', indeed, a Poet may sometimes stretch a Point by Privilege. In short, I will force a Book from him, and send it to you, not only to read, but to learn: For I am pretty certain, you will not easily lay it aside, when you have once taken it into your Hands.

Epistle XXII. To Tyro.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] An Admonition to him, founded upon the Cause of Bruttia.n.u.s. AN Affair has happen'd, that infinitely concerns those who are to be Governors of Provinces, as well as those who too frankly confide in their Friends. l.u.s.tricus Bruttia.n.u.s, having found a charge of several Crimes laid upon Monta.n.u.s Atticinus, his Lieutenant inform'd the Emperor of it. Atticinus added one Article to his Faults, in accusing the Friend, whom he himself had deceiv'd. The Process was regularly set on Foot; I was on the Bench: Both pleaded their own Cause, but concisely, and in a summary manner; as the shortest Method to discover the Truth. Bruttia.n.u.s produc'd his Will, which, he said, was written by Aticinus's own Hand: For nothing could prove more clearly the strict Union that was between them, and the Necessity that forc'd Bruttia.n.u.s to complain of a Man he so greatly valu'd. He explain'd the Heads of the Charge, that appear'd equally evident and shameful. Atticinus, when he could not clear them, reply'd to them in that manner, that while he was defended, he appear'd to be Infamous; and while he laid the Accusation, Wicked; For he had corrupted the Servant of Bruttia.n.u.s's Secretary, seiz'd and mangled the Registers, and made an Advantage of his own Crime against his Friend, with the utmost Dishonesty. Csar acted very n.o.bly in the Affair; for he pa.s.s'd Sentence upon Atticinus immediately, without taking the least Notice of Bruttia.n.u.s. He was condemn'd to an Island. A very just Testimony of Integrity was given to Bruttia.n.u.s, accompany'd with the Credit of being firm and steady: For after a short Defence, he push'd the Accusation with Vigour, and maintain'd the Part, not only of a Man of Spirit, but of Goodness and Sincerity. I have written this to you, as a Warning, since you have obtain'd the Government of a Province, to put the greatest Confidence in your self, and not rely too much upon another; and then to know, that if any Man deceives you, (as I hope the contrary) you have a fair Precedent of Revenge; yet, you should be strictly careful, not to have Occasion for it. For there is not so much Pleasure in vindicating one's self, as there is Vexation in the Thought of being impos'd upon.

Farewell.

Epistle XXIII. To Triarius.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On a Pleader's sharing a Cause with him. YOU are pressing with me to plead a Cause, that falls under your Care; and is in other Respects very great and sounding: I'll obey your Commands, but not without a Consideration. How is it possible, you'll say, that Pliny should do that? It is very possible; for the Reward I shall demand shall be such, as shall do me more Honour than a gratuitous Pleading. I desire of you, and even make it a Condition, that Cremutius Ruso be join'd with me in Council: This is my way, and I have often practis'd it with several young Gentlemen of a bright Character: For I am extremely fond to produce a promising young Fellow to the Court, and a.s.sign him over to Fame: Which is a Debt I owe to my Friend Ruso, as much as any Person; both on the Account of his Family, and his Attachment to me: And I reckon much upon introducing him to be seen and heard in the same Causes, and even on the same Side. Oblige me in this Point; and oblige me before he speaks in Publick; for after he has pleaded, you will thank him. I engage that he will answer your Concern, my Hopes, and the Weight of the Cause. He is Master of very good Talents, and will shortly be capable of setting other Men in View, if we shew him: For no Man, tho' possess'd of the most hopeful Parts, can soon emerge, unless Matter, Opportunity, a Patron, and an introducing Friend, happen to recommend him.

Farewell.

Epistle XXIV. To Macer.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] A Counterpart to the Example of Arria. HOW does the Quality of Persons vary that of Actions! The same Fact is either extreamly rais'd or depress'd by the Figure or Obscurity of the Performer. I was in a Boat upon the Larian Lake by our Town, when an old Friend shew'd me a Country House, and a Chamber, jutting forward to the Lake. A Towns-woman of our's, says he, on a certain Time drown'd her self and her Husband here, both together. I enquired the Cause. The Husband had suffer'd a long Time by Ulcers, in a Part which Modesty obliges to conceal. She engag'd him to give her Leave, to examine the Evil, as the most faithful Judge, whether it was capable of being cur'd. She had no sooner taken the View, but despair'd of a Remedy: Exhorted him rather to undergo the last Fate, than endure it; with an Offer to bear him Company; nay, to lead him on, to be his Example, and even necessitate him to it. For she fasten'd herself to him, and flung both at once into the Water. This is the first Light I have had into this Action, though I live in the same Town; not because the Deed is inferior to the celebrated Case of Arria, but because the Woman was less conspicuous.

Farewell.

Epistle XXV. To Hispa.n.u.s.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On the Loss of a Gentleman on a Journey. YOU send me Word, that Robustus a Roman Knight, of considerable Rank, took a Journey with Attilius Scaurus, my Friend, as far as Ocriculum, and then disappear'd. You desire me to send for Scaurus, and get some Information from him, in order to enquire about it. He shall come hither, but I am much afraid it will be to no Purpose. For I suspect, that something has befallen Robustus, like an Accident, that happen'd once to a Towns-man of mine, Metilius Crispus. I had procur'd him a Command in the Army, and has presented him with 400000 Sesterces for his Equipage and Conveniencies: Nor did I afterwards receive a Letter from him, or any News of his Death. It is doubtful whether he was cut off by his own Servants, or with them: Certain it is, that neither he nor his Servants made their Appearance afterwards. I wish we may not find the same Cafe in Robustus; yet, let us send for Scaurus. Let us pay this Respect to your just Desire, and that of his worthy Son, who shews a great deal of Natural Affection, as well as Filial Duty, in the Search that he makes for him. Heaven grant, he may as readily find him, as he has met with his Fellow-Traveller.

Farewell.

Epistle XXVI. To Servia.n.u.s.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On the design'd Marriage of his Daughter. I Give you Joy (as I am entirely pleas'd my self) that you have resolv'd your Daughter for Fuscus Salinator. His Family is n.o.ble; his Father a Person of great Honour; his Mother of an equal Reputation. He himself is Studious, Learned, and Eloquent: He has the unaffected Innocence of Childhood, the Gaiety of Youth, and the consummate Wisdom of Age: Nor does my Kindness for him impose upon me: Indeed I have an uncommon Respect for him, yet it is with Judgment: (His Services, and Veneration for me ent.i.tle him to it) and really I love him so much the better, as I judge of him the more exactly; and I promise you, as one that has thoroughly try'd him, that you cannot wish to be happier in a Son-in-law. All you have to desire further, is, that you may be a Grandfather by a Son of his, as like the Father, and as speedily as possible. How acceptable will the Hour be! when I shall take his Offspring out of your Arms, as my own, and caress them as if I had an equal Right to them.

Farewell.

Epistle XXVII. To Severus.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] Advice for his Panegyrick on Trajan. YOU ask my Opinion, what Compliments you should pay the Emperor, when you take Possession of the Consulate. In this Affair, the Invention of Matter is easier than the Choice of it: His Virtues give a large Fund of it, yet I will tall you my Sentiments on this Head, after I have declar'd one Doubt to you: For I question much, whether I ought to prescribe the same Advice to you, which I follow'd myself. When I was design'd consul, I kept clear from all show of Flattery, tho' not from that sort which is really proper to the Occasion; not with an air of Freedom and Boldness, but as a Man that knew the Emperor, whose princ.i.p.al Merit is to require no Praise at all. I likewise reflected, that many Honours were paid to the worst of Princes, and that the Perfection of Ours, could only be distinguish'd from them, by treating him in a different manner. This very Circ.u.mstance I did not entirely conceal, for fear the Conduct of it should be thought owing, not to Judgment, but to want of Memory. This was my Method upon the Subject; but every Man has not the same Relish for every Thing, nor is the Propriety the same. Besides, the true Decorum of doing, or omitting a Thing, is to be regulated by the State of Affairs, and of the Prince, give you room to speak upon new, real, and important Topicks; for which Reason, I am in doubt, as I told you before, whether I ought to give you the Directions I my self then pursu'd. This I had no scruple of, that it was my Duty to make my own Management a part of my Counsel to you.

Farewell.

Epistle XXVIII. To Pontius.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] He admits his Excuse for not visiting Him. I Know what has prevented your coming before me into Campania; but tho' absent, you are all here; your People have loaden me with such Plenty of Provisions, both of the Town and Country; which I accepted in general, tho' in a blunt manner. For they importun'd me to do so, and I was tender of giving you a Distaste, either to them or my self, had I done otherwise; but for the future, if you lay no Restraint upon yourself, I shall lay a Restraint upon you. Nay, I told the Bearers, that if they brought so large a Quant.i.ty another time, I would return the whole. You will say, that I ought to use your Things as my own: Right, but I would husband them as I do my own.

Farewell.

Epistle XXIX. To Quadratus.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] Advice to him as an Advocate. AVIDIUS Quietus, who had a particular Kindness for me, and (which is an equal Pleasure) approv'd all that came from Thraseas, our common Friend; often repeated a familiar Expression of that great Man, that a Man ought to undertake three sorts of Causes, Those of his Friends, of such as were dest.i.tute, or those that were Exemplary. But why ought we to undertake the Causes of our Friends? This demands no Explanation. Why those of the Dest.i.tute? Because the Bravery and Humanity of the Speaker is the most visible in them. Why such as relate to Example? Because the letting in of a good or an evil Precedent is of great Consequence. To these I will add, tho' perhaps with some Spirit of Ambition, the great and famous Causes. For it is reasonable to plead sometimes for Glory and Reputation, that is, one's own Cause; since you have desired my Opinion, these are the Bounds I presume to set to a Person of your Rank and Modesty. Nor am I ignorant, that Use both really is, and is reckon'd the best Master of Eloquence: For I observe many Persons of a low Genius, and no Literature, have acquir'd a Faculty of Pleading well, by Pleading often. But at the same time, that Saying of Pollio's, or that is ascrib'd to Pollio, is, to my own Experience, very true. Pleading well has made me Plead often, Pleading often has made me Plead worse: Because, for the purpose, too much a.s.siduity gives rather a Facility, than a Faculty, and not so much a proper a.s.surance, as an indiscreet Rashness. Nor was the Weakness of Voice, or the Natural Fear of Isocrates, when he spoke in Publick, any Bar to his Reputation of being a very great Orator. Therefore read, write, think a great deal, that you may be capable of speaking what you please; and you will speak, when you ought to have the Inclination. This is a Rule that I have commonly follow'd; sometimes I have submitted to Necessity, which has a Place among the best Reasons: For I have, at the Order of the Senate, appear'd in some Causes of the same kind with that of Thraseas, that is, such as were important for the Example of them. I defended the Btici against Bbius Ma.s.sa; The Question was, Whether an Information was to be granted? It was granted. I was again retain'd by the same People, in a Complaint lodg'd against Ccilius Cla.s.sicus; the Query was, Whether the Provincial Officers ought to be punish'd, as the Accomplices and Agents of the Proconsul? They were punish'd. I accused Marius Priscus, who, having been Condemn'd by the Law against Embezzling the Publick Money, made use of the Clemency of the Law to his own Advantage, when he had exceed the Severity of it, by the Enormity of his Crimes. He was sent into Banishment. I was Advocate for Julius Ba.s.sus, as too unguarded and imprudent, and therefore not so Criminal. They made a Civil Cause of it by appointing Judges, and he kept his Place in the Senate. I pleaded very lately for Varenus, he insisted on a reciprocal Right, of calling in his own Evidence; this was allow'd. Hereafter, it is my Wish, to be chiefly retain'd in such Causes, which it would become me to maintain voluntarily.

Farewell.

Epistle x.x.x. To Fabatus.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On the Repair of a Country-Seat. IT is most certain, that we ought to celebrate your Birth-Day, as well as our own; since the Pleasure of our Days depends upon Yours, by whose Diligence and Care, we are merry in the Country, and secure in Town. Camillus's Country-House, which you own, in Campania, is, indeed, extremely Old and Ruinous; yet the princ.i.p.al Parts of the Building are entire, or but slightly damag'd: Therefore we wait for the most Commodious Repair of them. I seem to have a great Number of Friends, but I have scarcely one of the kind you desire, and the Nature of the Thing calls for. For they are all Men of Business, and of the Town. Now the Management of Country Farms will require Somebody that's hardy, and Rustick; that will neither look upon the Labour to be heavy, nor the Work mean, nor the Solitude Melancholly. You very properly think of Rufus, for he was an Acquaintance of your Son. Yet what he can do for us there, I know not; I believe he may be very ready to serve us.

Farewell.

Epistle x.x.xI. To Cornelian.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On a Hearing of several Causes at Centumcell, a Country-House belonging to the Emperor Trajan. THE Emperor having call'd me to Council, at Centumcell, (so the Place is call'd) it afforded me a very agreeable Scene of Pleasure. For what could be more delightful, than to view the Justice, Majesty, and Affability of a Prince, in a private Lodging, where all this is the most openly display'd? There were several Processes, such as were fit to exercise the Virtues of a Judge, by various manners. Claudius Aristo, the Princ.i.p.al Man among the Ephesians, open'd his Cause: He was a Person of a Generous Temper, and of harmless Popularity. This drew the Envy of some upon him. An Informer of a different Character was sent against him, by some Persons of the same Kidney: Therefore he was acquitted, and had Justice done him. On the Day following, Gallita was heard, in an Action of Adultery: She had been married to a Colonel, who design'd to be a Candidate for Preferment at Rome, but stain'd her own Honour, and that of her Husband, by a Criminal Amour with a Centurion. The Husband wrote to the Lieutenant Governour about it, and he to Csar. Csar, on a full Discussion of the Evidence, cas.h.i.+er'd and Banish'd the Centurion: The other part of the Crime, as it is necessarily the Crime of two, remain'd to be punish'd. But here the Love of his Wife was a check upon the Husband, not without a little suspicion of Connivance. For after this Action, he kept her at home, as if he had been fully satisfy'd with the Removal of his Rival. On an Admonition to finish the Action, he proceeded in it with Reluctance; but it was necessary to pa.s.s a Condemnation upon her, against the Will of the Accuser; and she was left to the Penalty of the Julian Law. Csar added both the Name of the Centurion, and the mention of Military Discipline, to the Sentence, that he might not seem to reduce every Cause of this kind to his own hearing. On the third Day, another Action was brought in, that had been the Subject of much, and different Talk, about the Will of Julius Tyro, which appear'd to be partly true, and was reported to be in a good Measure false. The Defendants were Semp.r.o.nius Senecio, a Roman Knight, and Eurythmus the Freed man, and Agent of Csar. The Heirs, when Csar was in Dacia, pet.i.tion'd him, in a joint Letter, for a Hearing. He granted their Pet.i.tion. On his return to Rome, he appointed a Day for it; and when some of the Heirs would have desisted from the Proceeding, as it were out of respect to Eurythmus, He finely said, he is not a Polycletus, nor am I a Nero. Yet he allow'd their desire of an Adjourment, and when the time of that was expir'd, he sate upon the Cause. Two appear'd on the Part of the Heirs, they insisted, that all should be oblig'd to join in the Action, since all had join'd in the first Charge, or that they should have an equal Liberty to decline it. Csar express'd himself with much Weight and Moderation; and when the Advocate of Senecio and Eurythmus said, that the Defendents were expos'd to ill Suspicions, if they were not heard, he reply'd, It is no Concern to me, whether they be left open to Suspicions, I certainly am in this Case. Then, turning to us, determine, said he, what we ought to do, for these Men are dispos'd to Complain, that they have leave to withdraw their Suit. Then, on the Opinion of the Council, he gave an Order to all the Heirs, either to plead or that each of them should approve the Reasons for desisting, otherwise, that he would p.r.o.nounce upon it, as a Case of Calumny. You see, how honourably and usefully these Days have been employ'd; they were follow'd by some very agreeable Diversions. We were every Day at Supper with the Emperor; it was a frugal Entertainment, for a Prince; sometimes we had a Play; sometimes the Night was carry'd on with pleasant Conversation: On the last Day before we took leave, we had Reason to admire the Care he shew'd to oblige us, in sending us Presents; for my Particular, I was not only much delighted with the Solemnity of the Causes, the Honour of being one of the Council, the Pleasure and Familiarity of the Emperor's Company, but with the Charms of the Place it self. The House is very magnificent, surrounded with Green Fields; it commands the Sea, and the Sh.o.r.e forms a Bay into a s.p.a.cious Harbour, in the Shape of an Amphitheatre; the left side of it is fortify'd with a very strong work; the right Side is now working upon: And Island rises in the Mouth of the Harbour, that breaks, by its Opposition, the Sea, as the wind drives it; and affords a safe Riding to the Vessels on both Sides. It is rais'd with surprizing Art; a Ponton of large Boats bears up Stones of considerable Bulk; more are continually flung upon these, they lie close by the very Weight of them, and by degrees form a kind of Mole. The Top of this Bank of Stone already appears, it divides, and casts very high the Waves that strike upon it; this produces a vast roaring of the Water, and a foamy Sta about it. Great Pieces of Rock are added to these Stones, which, in length of Time, will resemble a natural Island. This Port will bear the Emperor's Name, and will be extreamly Commodious; for the Sh.o.r.e is unprovided with a Port, all along, and will find the Advantage of this Harbour.

Farewell.

Epistle x.x.xII. To Quintilian.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] He makes him a Present for his Daughter. THO', you, for your own particular, are very Modest and Frugal, and have Educated your Daughter in a manner becoming yourself, and the Niece of Tutilius: Yet since she is to marry a Gentleman of Quality, Nonius Celer, who is oblig'd by his Rank to make a Figure in Life; She ought to be furnish'd with Dress, Equipage, and Attendants, agreeable to the Character of her Husband; Our Dignity is not encreas'd by these Advantages, but it is set off by them. Besides, I know you to be, tho' very happy in Mind, yet not over-stock'd with the Goods of Fortune; therefore I claim a part of your Charge, and as another Father to our young Lady, I present her with 50000 Sesterces; more should readily be at her Service; if I was not sensible, that only the moderate Nature of the Offer, could prevail upon your Modesty to accept of it.

Farewell.

Epistle x.x.xIII. To Roma.n.u.s.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On the Success of his Pleading. ALL be remov'd; let ev'ry Labour cease: Says the Poet: Whether you be reading, or Writing, order it to be taken away, and lay your Hands on a Pleading of mine; as the Cyclops did upon the Arms, demanded by Vulcan. Could I begin more loftily? But really it is the best of my Stock; for it is enough for me to contend with myself. It was made for Accia Variola, and is remarkable for the Rank of the Person, the Singularity of the Cause, and the Greatness of the Audience. For a Lady, descended of a n.o.ble Family, Married to one of the Prtorian Quality, disinherited by a Father. Eighty Years Old, within eleven Days after he had brought a Mother-in-Law upon her, in a Fit of Dotage, demanded her Right to her Father's Estate, before the four Courts of the Centumvirate, a.s.sembled. A Hundred and Eighty Judges sate upon it, for this is the Number of the four Courts; there was a Mult.i.tude of Advocates on each side; the Seats were fill'd and a numerous Croud of Auditors encompa.s.s'd the Bench in several Circles all about it: Nay, the high Galleries, and the upper part of the Court, were throng'd, here with Men, and there with Women, that came with a Curiosity to hear, which was difficult, and to see, which was much easier. The Expectation of Fathers, Daughters, and of Mother's-in-Law was strong. The Event was various. Two Courts were for us, and two against us; the Thing was entirely remarkable, and wonderful. So great a difference happen'd, by a Chance, tho' it did not appear to be casual, in the same Cause, before the same Judges, with the same Advocates, at the same time: The Mother was cast, and reduc'd to inherit only a sixth Part. Suburra.n.u.s had no better success, who after having been disinherited by his own Father, had the uncommon Impudence to claim the Right of being Heir to the Father of another. I have been so particular on these Matters, first, to let you know by Letter, what you could not know from the Oration itself; and then, (for I will own my Artifice in it) that you might be capable of reading it with more Pleasure, when you think, in reading it, that you are one of the Audience, and interested in it. Long as it is, I do not despair of its giving you the Delight of one, that is shortest; for it is vary'd and renew'd by the Plenty of matter, the Artful Division, the several Narrations, and the Variety of the Expression. There are many Things in it (I could not take this Liberty with any but you; ) that are elevated; many that are pressing, that are delicate. For I was often forc'd to mingle some nice Calculations, (and even to demand the Register, and Counters,) while I us'd this Force and Sublimity, that a Centumviral Action suddenly took the Face of a private Cause: I gave a loose to the Pa.s.sions of Anger, Indignation, and Sorrow; and was carry'd on by several Winds on so wide an Ocean, as this ample Cause might be compar'd to. In short, some of my Acquaintance look upon this to be my Master-piece (I will repeat it) in Pleading, and like that of Demosthenes for Ctesiphon: Whether truly or no, you will judge with great Ease; for you have so ready a Memory at all of them, that you can make the Comparison, by reading this singly.

Farewell.

Epistle x.x.xIV. To Maximus.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.] On a Show given by him at Verona. YOUR Promise of a Gladiator's Show to our People of Verona, is very just and agreeable; since you are of old Belov'd, Esteem'd and Honour'd by them. You had from thence your Wife, who had the tenderest Place in your Heart and Value; and some publick Testimony is due to her Memory, especially on the occasion of her Funeral. Besides, it was desir'd of you so universally, that it would not have been so resolute, as hard, to have deny'd it. What adds to it, is, that you have acquitted your Promise with so good a Grace, and so much Magnificence; for the Greatness of the Soul appear, even in these small Matters. I wish your African Panthers, a Number of which you had purchas'd, had come thither on the Day appointed; but tho' they have lain idle, kept back by a Storm, yet your Merit ent.i.tles you to equal Thanks, as if the Kindness had been receiv'd, since it was not your Default, that it was not accomplish'd.

Farewell.