BOOK VII.] History of Nature. 21 1 



said in an Assembly, when he discoursed of his own Ex- 

 ploits) : that whereas Asia, when he received it, was the 

 remotest Province of his Country, he left it in the centre. 

 If a man would set Ccesar on the other side against him, 

 and review his actions, who of the two seemed greater, 

 he might indeed reckon up the whole World, which would 

 amount to an infinite matter. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

 The praise of the First Cato. 



MANY Men have differently excelled in various other 

 kinds of virtues. But Cato, 1 the First of the Porcian House, 

 was thought to have been the most excellent in three 

 things which are in the highest degree commendable in 

 Man. He was the best Orator; the best General ; and the 

 best Senator. And yet, in my opinion, all these excellencies 

 shone out more brightly, although he was not first, in Scipio 

 JEmilianus : To say nothing besides of the absence of the 

 Hatred of so many Men, which Cato laboured under. But 

 if you seek for one especial thing in Cato, this is, that he 

 was judicially called to his answer Forty-four times, and 

 never was there a Man accused oftener than he ; yet he was 

 always acquitted. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



Of Valour. 

 IT is a very extensive inquiry, to discover in whom the 



1 This Cato appears to have been more successful in obtaining the 

 esteem than the love of the people ; and, indeed, from the evidence of his 

 "Treatise on Agriculture," he appears to have been a niggardly and 

 shrewd master, whom no one could defraud, and who was ready to 

 secure every advantage in a bargain. He recommends, with the same 

 indifference, the sale of an ox that was past labour, his rusty iron, and 

 sickly or worn-out slave. 



Narratur et prisci Catonis, 



Saepe mero caluisse Virtus. Wern. Club. 



