BOOK l.J Pliny s Epistle to T. Vespasian. 17 



cometh to our House unlocked for. Cato, that professed 

 Enemy of Ambition, who took as great Contentment in 

 those Estates and Dignities which he refused as in them 

 which he enjoyed, attained to such a good Name of upright- 

 ness, that when in the hottest Contention about the Election 

 of Magistrates, they that contested for these Offices put into 

 his Hands their Money upon Trust, as an Assurance of their 

 Integrity and Fidelity in this respect; they professed that they 

 did it in Testimony of their Opinion of his Equity and Inno- 

 cence : whereupon ensued that noble and memorable Exclam- 

 ation of M. Cicero in these Words : " Oh ! happy M. Portius, 

 whom no Man would ever venture to solicit to any thing 

 contrary to right!" When L. Scipio, surnamed Asiaticus, 

 appealed to the Tribunes, and besought their lawful Favour 

 (among whom, C. Gracchus was one, a Man whom he took 

 for his mortal Enemy), he exclaimed, "That his very Ene- 

 mies, if they were his Judges, could not choose but give Sen- 

 tence on his Side." Thus every Man maketh him the supreme 

 Judge of his Cause, whom himself hath chosen : which Man- 

 ner of Choice the Latins call an Appeal (Provocatio). As 

 for yourself, who are set in the most eminent Place, and 

 endued with the highest Eloquence and deepest Learning, it 

 is no Wonder if those who do their Duty unto you approach 

 with the utmost Respect and Reverence: in which regard, 

 exceeding Care above all Things would be had, that what- 

 soever is said or dedicated unto you, may become your Per- 

 son, and be worthy your Acceptance. And yet the Gods 

 reject not the humble Prayers of country Peasants, yea, and 

 of many Nations, who offer nothing but Milk unto them : 

 and such as have no Incense, find grace with the Oblation 

 of a Cake made only of Meal and Salt ; and never was any 

 Man blamed for his Devotion to the Gods, if he offered ac- 

 cording to his best Ability. 



I may be more challenged for my inconsiderate Boldness, 

 in that I would seem to present these Books unto you, com- 

 piled of such slender Matter : for in them can be comprised 

 no great Ability (which otherwise in me was ever meagre), 

 neither admit they any Digressions, Orations, and Discourses, 



