[67]
Why do you not define them, nor name them, so that
at least the Roman people may be able to consider what its own interests are-what is
desirable for it—how much trust it thinks it desirable to repose in you in the
matter of buying and selling things ? I do define Italy, says he. It is a district sufficiently marked out. Indeed, how little
difference does it make whether you are led down to the roots of the Massic Hill, or into
some other part of Italy, or somewhere else! Come,
you do not define the exact spot. What do you mean? Do you mean the nature of the land? But,
says he, the law does say, “which can be ploughed or cultivated.” Which
can be ploughed or cultivated, he says; not, which has been ploughed or cultivated. Is this
now a law, or is it an advertisement of some sale of Neratius 1; in whose descriptions
people used to find such sentences as these:—“Two hundred acres in which
an olive garden may be made. Three hundred acres where vines can be planted.” Is
this what you are going to buy with all your countless sums of money,—something
which can be ploughed up or cultivated? Why, what soil is there so thin and miserable that it
cannot be broken up by a plough? or what is there which is such a complete bed of stones that
the skill of an agriculturist cannot get something out of it? Oh but, says he, I cannot name
any lands positively, because I touch none against the will of the owner. This also is much
more profitable than if one took land from a man against his will. For a calculation of gain
will be entered into with reference to your money, and then only will land be sold when the
sale is advantageous to both buyer and seller.
1 It is unknown who this man was. Perhaps some puffing auctioneer.
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