[183]
For why should a clerk make this deduction, and not rather the
muleteer who brought the corn down? or the courier, by whose arrival they heard of
its coming and made the demand? or the crier, who ordered them to appear? or the
lictor and the slave of Venus, who carried the money? What part of the business or
what seasonable assistance can a scrivener pretend to, that, I will not say such
high wages should be given him, but, that a division of such a large sum should take
place with him? Oh they are a very honourable body of men;—who denies it?
or what has that to do with this business? But they are an honourable body, because
to their integrity are entrusted the public accounts and the safety of the
magistrates. Ask, therefore, of those scriveners who are worthy of their body,
masters of households, virtuous and honourable men, what is the meaning of those
fiftieths? In a moment you will all clearly see that the whole affair is
unprecedented and scandalous.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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