The compleat courtier: or, The morals of the famous historian Cornelius Tacitus concerning flattery, &c. In above one hundred essays. Paraphras'd and illustrated with useful observations by the Sieur Amelo de la Houssaie and M. D'Ablancourt. Done out of French.

ESSAY LV.

AND a Decree of the Senate was Engrav'd in Marble, and publickly Erected, wherein an En∣franchis'd Slave, in possession of a∣bove seven Millions in Gold, was ex∣toll'd

for his Frugality, equal to the Parcimony of Ancient Times.

Says D'Ablancourt, They made a Decree by which an Enfranchis'd Slave, that was worth above seven Millions in Gold, had the praises of Ancient Frugality.

The Consul, Barea Soranus, having de∣creed to Pallas, the Pretors Ornaments, and a Present of a Million of Money, in recompence of his Services, Claudius de∣clar'd, That Pallas was satisfi'd with the Honour, and was unwilling to renounce his primitive Poverty. An Expression befitting the poorness of Claudius's Spi∣rit, who 'tis very probable could not be Ignorant, that his Bondman was at that time Richer, then all the Kings of Ar∣cady, his pretended Ancestors.

The younger Pliny makes mention of this Decree in two of his Letters, in such Terms as will serve in this place, for a most excellent Commentary. There is, saith he, upon the High-way to Tivoly, a Monument of Pallas, with this Inscription: The Senate has decreed to Pallas the Or∣naments of the Pretorship, and the Gift of a Million, for his Fidelity and Zeal

toward his Masters, but he is contented with the Honour.

But certainly I was never an Admirer of those things that proceed rather from For∣tune then Judgment. More especially this Inscription taught me a new Lesson, what a strange Impertinency those Men were guilty of, who decreed Honour to d Scoundrel; and what an unusual Impudence possess'd that Rascally Fellow to accept the one, and refuse the other; and to transfer these refusals to Posterity, for an Example of Modesty. But to what purpose doe I seem to be offended at it? Were it not more proper for me to make it the subject of my Derision, to the end they may not think to have gain'd any great Mat∣ter, who by their good Fortune, do but serve to be the Sport and Contempt of other Men?

In another Letter, after he has told ye, that as Lofty as this Inscription seems to be, yet it appear'd both Modest and Humble, in respect of the Decree which he found among the Registers of the Se∣nate, he adds the following words. I omit to tell ye, that the Pretorian Ornaments were offer'd to a Slave, because they were Slaves themselves that offer'd 'em: And that it was Decreed, not only to beseech him, but also to force him to wear the Rings of

Gold. For it was a Dishonour to the Ma∣jesty of the Senate, for a Pretorian to wear Rings of Steel. But this is nothing; that which is most worthy Observation, is this, That the Senate return'd Thanks to the Em∣perour, in the name of Pallas, for having spoken so advantageously in his behalf, and given leave to the Senate, to give him those Testimonials of their Respects and good Will toward him. For what could be more Ho∣nourable to the Senate, then to shew their Gratitude to Pallas? The Senate knowing how averse Pallas was from such Am∣bitious desires, ordain that an Address should be made to the Emperour, to beseech him that he would oblige Pallas to accept the Se∣nates Kindness. There could not be a more Servile Condescention then this, that the Public Authority was made use of, and the Intercession of the Emperour implor'd, to mollifie the haughty Moderation of Pallas so far, as to bring him to vouchsafe the ac∣ceptance of the Senates Present.—Now do but imagine you saw Pallas opposing the Decree of the Senate, and moving in Miti∣gation of the Honours which they offer'd him; refusing a Million, which was given him as a Present, tho' an excessive Gift, after he had accepted the Ornaments of the Pretor∣ship, as a thing of mean Value; suppose

you saw the Emperour, who submits to th•• Intreaties, or rather Commands of a Bond▪ man Enfranchis'd, in the presence of the Senate. Then take a view of the Senate, who recite in their Decree, that among other Honours decreed to Pallas, they thought it material to add this Donative, in recom∣pence of the Services he had done the Em∣pire, and that they did not desist from their Importunities to Pallas, that he would be pleas'd to accept their Donative, but only in Obedience to the Emperour, whose Will and Pleasure it was not lawful for them to gain∣say in any respect. The conclusion will be, that it requir'd no less then all the Modesty of Pallas, and all the Complaisance of the Senate, to excuse Pallas from accepting a whole Million of the Public Treasure. To which the Senate would never have consented, but that they thought it contrary to their Duty to disobey the Emperour. Now do you believe that this is all? No, there is some∣thing worse behind. It was Ordain'd that this Decree should be Engrav'd in Brass, and set up next the Armed Statue of Julius Cae∣sar. 'Twas not enough for the Senate to be the Testimony of so great a piece of Infamy, they made choice of a most remarkable Place, where it was to be read by the Living▪ and transmitted to Posterity. It was their care,

that all the Honours offer'd to an Insolent Slave, should be Engrav'd in Brass; what he had refus'd, and what he had accepted. His Pretorian Ornaments were Inscrib'd upon Public and Eternal Monuments, like the An∣cient Leagues, and Alliances, nay like the Sacred Laws of the Empire. Such of the Prince, such of the Senate, such of Pallas himself, was that I know not what to call it. While all Three expos'd to the view of all the World; Pallas his Insolence, the Empe∣rour his Patience, and the Senate their Obse∣quious Servility.

Certainly the Roman Flattery far out-did the Adulation of the Greeks.