Murphy's Tacitus; The Eight Volumes Verbatim and Complete in One (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830 Excerpt: ...pleaded for hire, was condemned to pay four times the sum. Claudius fas may be seen s, 7.) softened the rigour of the law, allowing a certain fee, and ordaining, that whoever took more should be obliged to make restitution. among the names of more recent date, remember the Arruntii and the Eserini: men who never set themselves up to auction: never made a bargain and sale of their talents, but rose by their integrity and their unbought eloquence to the highest honours of the state." This speech from the consul elect was heard with general approbation. The fathers were on the point of declaring by a decree, that all who took the wages of oratory should be deemed guilty of extortion. Suillius and Cossutianus, with many others who were conscious of their evil practices, clearly saw, that if the decree passed the senate, it would be nothing less than a vote of pains and penalties against themselves. To ward off the blow, they pressed round the emperor, praying an indemnity for past transactions. Claudius seeming by a nod to assent to their petition, they took courage, and argued their case as follows: VII. "Where is the orator who can flatter himself that his name will reach posterity? The interests of society require advocates by profession, men versed in questions of right and wrong, and ready, as well as able, to protect the weak against the proud and affluent. But eloquence is not a gratuitous gift; it is acquired by toil and industry. To conduct the affairs of others, the orator neglects his own concerns. Life is variegated with different employments: some betake themselves to the profession of arms; others to the arts of husbandry; no man embraces a particular calling, without having beforehand made an estimate of the profit. A si n i us and Mess...