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plicity of thofe ages, that they aflumed no ap- 

 pearance of magnificence and fplendour, or of 

 majefty, but when they appeared in publick. At 

 their return from the toils of war, the taking of 

 cities, and the fubduing of hoftile nations, their 

 greateft Generals were impatient till they were 

 again employed in the arts of cultivation.! They 

 thought it no difgrace to follow the plough, al- 

 though they were at the fame time prepared to 

 ferve the wants of the Republick in every depart- 

 ment of the government, to attend her councils, 

 or to put themfelves at the head of her victorious 

 legions. 



It muft indeed be allowed, that when the Ro- 

 mans became enervated by the fatal introduction 

 of Afiatick luxury, they gradually loft the noble 

 iimplicity of their ancefrors, and employed their 

 (laves only in the feverer labours of a country 

 life. But though they did not themfelves hold 

 the plough, yet even men of confular dignity 

 looked upon it as a reward for their publick fer- 

 vices, when they obtained leave to retire into the 

 country ; and were equally refpected when over- 

 looking their farms, as when feated in the chair 

 of magifterial authority. 



•j- For hiftance, Reoulus, Cincinnatus, and divers other*. 



Regulus 



