Epistle XII. To Arrian.
by
Mr. Henley
[_]
On the Affair, mention'd in the former Epistle.
I Cannot assure my self, Whether the Point I hinted in my last, remaining to be adjusted in the Cause of
Marius, be done concisely enough; and yet it has been pretty much eras'd.
Firminus was brought into the Senate, to answer a known Arraignment;
and several Opinions of the design'd Consuls follow'd upon
it.
Cornutus Tertullus was for degrading him;
Acutius Nerva
for dropping him, in the Allotment of the Province. This, tho' the milder Sentence,
prevail'd; but otherwise, this one would have imagin'd more harsh and uneasy.
For what can be more unhappy, than for a Man, devested of Senatorian Honours,
to be still confin'd to Fatigue and Trouble? What can be more heavy than to suffer a Disgrace so publick,
and yet not to lie conceal'd, but set forth to View, on an Eminence, to be pointed at for an Example?
Besides, what can be more shocking or disagreeable in the Eye of the World,
than for one that is mark'd by the Senate, to sit amongst them, and seem equal to those,
by whom he is branded? And tho' he is remov'd from the Proconsulate, for Misconduct in his Deputation,
yet to give Judgment upon the Proconsuls? And for one that is condemn'd for indirect Practices,
to condemn or acquit others? But the Majority esteem'd this to be a lighter Matter:
For Votes are reckoned by Number, not Weight; and this is all that is feasible in a Publick Council, where nothing is more
Unequal than the
Equality it self, which all enjoy. For the
Wisdom of them is disproportioned, but the
Right the same. Now I have discharg'd my Promise,
and sav'd the Credit of my former Letter; which I conclude, by the Interval of Time,
you have now receiv'd. I put it into the Hands of an expeditious and careful Messenger,
unless he met with any Interruption by the Way. It is your Business to return both these
Epistles, in the most copious Manner, that the Subject will allow.
