Epistle XIV. To Junius Mauricus.
by
Mr. M.
[_]
On chusing a Husband for his Relation.
The particular Opinion you have of my Choice of a Husband, for your Brother's Daughter,
is very obliging; you well know how much I lov'd and esteem'd that great Man;
with what Advice he cherish'd my Youth, and by his own Commendation, gave me the Credit of being thought Praise-worthy:
You cou'd have injoyn'd me, nothing of greater Consequence, or more agreeable,
nor any thing I wou'd undertake with more honour, than to chuse a Man fit to continue the Family of
Arulenus Rusticus, which indeed might prove a Work of Time, did not
Minucius Acilianus, luckily present, who, as young Men do each other (for he is some Years younger) loves me intimately,
yet treats me with a Respect due to Age: He is pleas'd to be form'd and instructed by me,
as I us'd to be by you. His Country is Bresica, of that Part of our
Italy that does yet retain, and keeps up much of the ancient Modesty,
Frugality, and even Rusticity. His Father Minucius Macrinus, eminent
in the Equestrian Order, for he aimed no higher,
being chose by
Vespasian into the Prætorian, with great Constancy preferr'd and honest Ease,
to this our Ambition (shall I call it) or Honour. His Grandmother of the Mother's side is
Serana Procula of
Padua; you are acquainted with the Manners of the Place,
yet
Serana is to the
Patavins an Example of strict Vertue.
His Uncle
P. Acilius is a Man of singular Discretion, Prudence and Honesty;
in truth, you will meet with nothing in the whole Family less agreeable than in your own.
Acilianus himself has a great deal of Vigour and Industry, accompany'd with the utmost Modesty.
And having already discharged the Offices of Quæstor, Tribune and Prætor with abundance of Credit,
yet he has referr'd it to you to make his Court for him. He has a comely Face,
a sanguine Complection, his whole Person Gentleman-like, with a becoming Gravity in his Mien,
Things, I think, not to be disregarded, but due to the Merit of a virtuous Woman.
I am in a doubt, whether I need
take notice of the large Estate of his Father; for when I consider you,
for whom we propose a Son-in-Law, I think I need not, when I reflect on the common Custom,
and even the Laws of the City, which principally have regard to the Fortunes of Men,
that seems by no means to be omitted, and to one that thinks of Posterity;
this, in the making of a Match, is not the least material Consideration.
Perhaps you will think I have indulg'd too much the Love of
my Friend in this Account, but I will stake all my Credit you shall find every thing exceed my Description;
I love the young Man indeed most ardently, as he deserves; but it is the Duty of Friendship,
to be moderate in the Commendation of a Friend.
