But for myself, it is neither commendable to be silent; nor
does it belong to my station to speak out; since I neither bear the
character of an Aedile, nor of a Praetor, nor of a Consul: something still
greater and higher is required of a Prince. Every one is ready to assume
to himself the credit of whatever is well done, while upon the Prince
alone are thrown the miscarriages of all. But what is it, that I am first
to prohibit, what excess retrench to the ancient standard? Am I to begin
with that of our country seats, spacious without bounds; and with the
number of domestics, a number distributed into nations in private
families? or with the quantity of plate, silver, and gold? or with the
pictures, and works, and statues of brass, the wonders of art? or with the
gorgeous vestments, promiscuously worn by men and women? or with what is
peculiar to the women, those precious stones, for the purchase of which
our corn is carried into foreign and hostile nations.
"I am not ignorant that at entertainments and in conversation, these
excesses are censured, and a regulation is required: and yet if an equal
law were made, if equal penalties were prescribed, these very censurers
would loudly complain, _that the State was utterly overturned, that snares
and destruction were prepared for every illustrious house, that no men
could be guiltless, and all men would be the prey of informers_.
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