First then, all public, and every private business of moment,
was determined by the Senate: to the great men he allowed liberty of
debate: those who in their debates lapsed into flattery, he checked: in
conferring preferments, he was guided by merit, by ancient nobility,
renown in war abroad, by civil accomplishments at home; insomuch that it
was manifest, his choice could not have been better. There remained to the
Consuls, there remained to the Praetors the useful marks of their
dignities; to inferior magistrates the independent exercise of their
charges; and the laws, where the power of the Prince was not concerned,
were in proper force. The tributes, duties, and all public receipts, were
directed by companies of Roman knights: the management of his own revenue
he committed only to those of the most noted qualifications; mostly known
by himself, and to some known by reputation alone: and when once taken,
they were continued, without all restriction of term; since most grew old
in the same employments. The populace were indeed aggrieved by the dearth
of provisions; but without any fault of the Prince: nay, he spared no
possible expense nor pains to remedy the effects of barrenness in the
earth, and of wrecks at sea.
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