THE FOURTH CHARACTER.

The strict Union of all Parts of the State.

The Roman people were at first no other but a confused multitude, made up of the tumultuous and accidental union of several persons, of different characters and interests, inclinations and professions, and full of jealousies and animosities. To put an end to this diversity, so prejudicial to the solid establishment of the state, Romulus began with dividing his citizens into tribes and legions. [u] And Numa afterwards, striking more deeply at the root of the evil, assembled all of the same trade and business, and formed them into companies, by assigning them peculiar festivals and ceremonies, that by these new engagements of religion and pleasure, they might be induced to forget the difference of their ancient original.

[a] But nothing contributed so much to the settling a perfect concord in this infant state, as the right of patronage established by Romulus: because by thus joining the patricians with the plebeians, the rich with the poor, in very strict and sacred tics, he seemed to make but one family of the whole people. The first were called patrons or protectors, and the others clients. The patrons were engaged by their very name to protect their clients upon all occasions, as a father does his children; to assist them with their advice, their interest, and their care; to manage and carry on their suits, if they had any; in a word, to do all kind of good offices for them. The clients, on the other hand, paid the utmost honours to their patrons, respected them as second fathers, contributed out of their substance to the portions of their daughters in case they were poor, to redeem their children if taken captive by the enemy, and to subsist themselves if fallen under any disgrace We have already observed, that in the later ages, not only particular persons, but [u] Plut. in Vit. Num. [x] Dionys. Halicarn. Antiq. Rom. whole

whole cities and provinces, were put under the protection of the great inen of Rome.

This union of the citizens, as Dionysius Halicarnasseus observes, thus formed from the beginning, and carefully cemented by Romulus, was afterwards so firmly established, that for above six hundred years, though the republic was continually torn by the intestine divisions which subsisted so long between the senate and the people, they never came to an open rupture, or engaged in a civil war; [y] but their disputes, how warm and violent soever, were always amicably compromised, upon the remonstrances made on both sides; each party mutually complying with the other, and making some abatements of their rights or pretensions.

THE FIFTH CHARACTER.

Love of Simplicity, Frugality, Poverty, Labour, and Agriculture.

One of Numa's first cares, after he came to the crown, was to inspire his new subjects with the love of that labour, simplicity, and poverty, which were so long practised and esteemed among the Romans. The manner of his advancement to the throne gave him a right to recommend all these virtues strongly to his citizens.

[] Numa generally resided at Cures, his native city, and the capital of the Sabines, from whence the Romans, after their union with that nation, were called Quirites. He was naturally inclined to virtue, and had besides improved his mind by the study of all the sciences that were known in his age, and especially philosophy, which had a great share in his whole conduct. His delight was the country and solitude,, and there he employed himself in tilling the ground,' and studying the wonders of Divine Power in the works of nature.

Πείθοντες καὶ διδάσκοντες ἀλλήλες, καὶ τὰ μὲν εἴκονίες, τὰ δὲ παρ ̓ ἑκόντων λαμβάνοντες, πολιτικὰς ἐποιῶντα τὰς τῶν

ἐγκλημάτων διαλύσεις. Dion. Hal. lib. 2.

[2] Plut. in Vit. Num.

Whilst he was enjoying this pleasing retirement, the Roman embassadors came to tell him, that the two parties which divided Rome were at last united in the choice of him for their king. This news troubled, but did not discompose him. He represented to them how dangerous it was for a man, who was happy and content with the life he led, to pass on a sudden, to one directly opposite to it. "I have been brought

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up, says he to them, in the severe discipline of the "Sabines; and, except the time I spend to study "and know the Deity, I am wholly taken up in

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agriculture and feeding my flocks. If they think "they see any thing valuable in me, it must be "qualities which should keep me at a distance from "a throne; the love of ease, a life of retirement and application to study, an extreme aversion for war, "and a great foudness for peace. Would it be right "for me to enter into a city, which resounds in all quarters with the noise of arms, and breathes nothing but war; and attempt to teach a people ve"neration for the gods, the love of justice, the hatred "of war and violence, who seem to be far more de"sirous of a general than a king."

Numa's refusal served only to make the Romans redouble their solicitations. They pressed and conjured him not to involve them again in a fresh sedition, which must inevitably end in a civil war, as he was the only person upon whom the two parties could agree.

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When the embassadors were withdrawn, his father and Martius his kinsman used their utmost endeavours to prevail upon him to accept of the crown." Though you think it, said they, no pleasure to lay up great riches, because you are satisfied with a "little; nor have any ambition to command, because you enjoy a greater and more real glory, which is "that of virtue; yet consider, that to reign well is "paying God the homage and worship which is most

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agreeable to him. It is God who calls you to the "throne, as not caring to let the talent of justice he "has blessed you with, lie idle and useless. Do not "therefore

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"therefore decline the acceptance of the royal dignity, as it opens to a wise man the vastest field for great and glorious actions. By this means the gods may be nobly served, and the minds of men insensibly civilized, and inclined to the duties of reli"gion for subjects naturally conform to the manners "of their princes. The Romans loved Tatius, though "he was a foreigner, and have consecrated the memory of Romulus by the divine honours they now pay him. Who can tell whether this victorious people is not tired of war? and whether, enriched as they are, with spoils and triumphs, they do not de"sire a prince of moderation and justice, who may govern them peaceably under good laws and a mild "administration! But though they should continue as "fond of war as ever, is it not better to divert the "fury of their passion, by taking the reins into your “hand, and uniting your country and the whole na"tion of the Sabines with so powerful and flourishing a city, by the ties of amity and friendship."

Numa could not resist such strong and wise remonstrances, and immediately set forward on his journey. The senate and people of Rome went out to meet him, with a wonderful desire of seeing him. The opinion they had long conceived of his probity, was very much increased by the account the ambassadors had given them of his moderation. [a] They conceived a man must be exceeding wise, that was capable of refusing a sceptre, and could look with indifference and contempt upon what the rest of mankind considered as the height of all human grandeur and happiness.

Numa preserved the same virtues upon the throne, which he had brought to it. So far as decency would admit in his station, he lived with the same simplicity and modesty as in private life. He was a perfect model of royal virtue, and tempered the majesty of the prince with the moderation of the philosopher, or rather heightened it by an additional splendor, in making it more amiable, and of greater force. Contented [a] Dyonys. Halic. lib. 2.

VOL. III.

E

to

not want.

to attract respect by his truly royal qualities, he banished all the vain appearances of greatness, which only impose upon the senses, and which his virtue did He lived without pomp, without luxury, and without guards. On the very day that he came to the crown, he discharged the cohort which Romulus had always about his person, [b] declaring that he would neither distrust those who placed a confidence in him, nor command men who distrusted him.

He then divided the conquered lands among the poor citizens, to divert thein from injustice by the lawful fruits of their labour, and inspire them with the love of peace by the cares of agriculture, to which it is necessary. He restrained and lulled their overearnest passion for war, by the pleasures of a quiet life and useful employments. That he might attach them to the cultivation of their lands by a concern for their own interest, he distributed them into boroughs, gave them inspectors and overseers, visited often himself their labour in the field, judged of the masters by the work, raised such to employments as he found to be laborious, diligent, and industrious, and reprimanded the slothful and negligent. And by these different means, supported by his own example, and confirmed by his persuasion, he raised husbandry to so great honour, [c] that in after-ages the generals of the army and principal magistrates were so far from considering country business as below them, that they gloried in cultivating their fields with the same victorious and triumphant hands which had subdued their enemies;