Epistle XIX. To Romanus Firmus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
You are my Towns-Man, my School-Fellow, and Partner in the same House,
from my earliest Age. Your Father was well known to our Family and my self,
as far as the Diversity of our Age has allow'd. All these are powerful Reasons,
why I ought to engage in your Honour, and to augment it.
Your Post of Decurion among us is a Proof that your Income is a Hundred Sesterces;
now to enjoy you not only in that Dignity, but also as a Roman
Knight, I make you an offer of Three Hundred more, to make up the legal income of that Order.
I promise my self from the Constancy of our Friendship, that you will not be forgetful of
this Present. I do not admonish you, (which I ought to do, if I was not assur'd you would do it by voluntary Choice) to make as moderate a Use of the Advantage I have given you,
as possible: For, that Honour, is to be guarded with the utmost Nicety,
in which the kindness of a Friend is at once to be supported.