Epistle XIX. To Cornelius Nepos.
by
Mr. Toland.
DO you know that the Price of Lands is risen, especially near this City?
The Cause of this surprising Rise, which is the
Subject of much Discourse, did, at the last Meeting of the Senate, occasion several most excellent Speeches,
importing,
That the Candidates at Elections should neither Treat, nor make Presents,
nor lay out any Money. The two first of these Abuses were not less excessively than openly practis'd;
and the third, nowithstanding the Care us'd to conceal it, was a Thing taken for granted.
Now our Friend
Homulus, having diligently improv'd this unanimous Agreement of the Senate,
mov'd for a Resolution that the Consuls should be order'd to acquaint the
Prince with the Desires of them all, and to pray him, that according to his usual Vigilance,
he would correct this, as he had other Disorders. The Emperor assented;
for he put a stop to those base and infamous Expences of the Candidates,
by a Law
against Canvassing, and oblig'd them to qualify themselves
by laying out on Land, a third Part of their Estates; esteeming it a very shameful Thing,
(as indeed it was) that such as are desirous of this Honour, should live in
Rome and
Italy, not as in their Country,
but as in a Lodging, or like Travellers in an Inn. The Candidates hereupon,
out-bid one another every where, and buy up whatever they are inform'd is to be sold;
insomuch, that many now part with their Lands who did not think of doing it before.
If you are weary therefore of your Farms in
Italy, this is certainly your Time of putting them off to Advantage,
as well as of buying in the Provinces; while the Candidates are selling there to purchase here.
Farewell.
