Essays of Michael, seigneur de Montaigne in three books : with marginal notes and quotations and an account of the author's life : with a short character of the author and translator, by a person of honour / made English by Charles Cotton ...

CHAP. LII. (Book 52)

Of the Parfimony of the Ancients. (Book 52)

ATtilius Regulus, General of the Roman Army in Africk, in the height of all his Glory and Victories over the Carthaginians, writ to the Republick to acquaint them, that a certain Hind he had left in trust with his whole Estate, which was in all, but Seven A∣cres of Land, was run away withall his In∣struments of Husbandry, entreating therefore, that they would please to call him home, that he might take order in his own Affairs, left his Wife and Children should suffer by thi•• disaster: Whereupon the Senate appointed another to manage his Business, caus'd his Losses to be made good, and order'd his Fa∣mily to be maintain'd at the Publick Expence. The Elder Cato returning Consul from Spain, sold his Horse of Service, to save the Money it would have cost in bringing him back by Sea into Italy; and being Governour of Sar∣dignia, made all his Visits on foot, without o∣ther Train, than one Officer of the Republick, that carried his Robe and a Censer for Sacri∣fices; and for the most part carried his Mail

himself. He bragg'd, that he had never worn a Gown that cost above Ten Crowns, nor had ever sent above Ten Pence to the Market for one Days Provision, and that as to his Coun∣try Houses, he had not one that was rough cast on the outside. Scipio Aemilianus, after two Triumphs, and two Consul-ships, went an Embassy with no more than Seven Servants in his Train. 'Tis said, that Homer had ne∣ver more than one, Plato three, and Zeno, founder of the Sect of Stoicks, none at all. Tiberius Gracchus was allow'd but Five Pence Half-penny a Day, when employ'd as Publick Minister about the Publick Affairs, and being at that time the greatest Man of Rome.