Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/393

CATO THE YOUNGER. 385 Though it was now the time that he should become quaa- stor, he would not stand for the place till he had studied the laws relating to it, and by inquiry from persons of experience, had attained a distinct understanding of the duty and authority belonging to it. With this knowledge, as soon as he came into the office, he made a great refor- mation amonsc the clerks and under-offieers of the treas- ury, people who had long practice and familiarity in all the public records and the laws, and, when new magis- trates came in year by year, so ignorant and unskilful as to be in absolute need of others to teach them what to do, did not submit and give way, but kept the power in their own hands, and were in effect the treasurers them- selves. Till Cato, applying himself roundly to the work, showed that he possessed not only the title and honor of a quaestor, but the knowledge and understanding and full authority of his office. So that he used the clerks and under-officers like servants, as they were, exposing their corrupt practices, and instructing their ignorance. Being bold impudent fellows, they flattered the other quasstors, his colleagues, and by their means endeavored to main- tain an opposition against him. But he convicted the chiefest of them of a breach of trust in the charge of an inheritance, and turned him out of his place. A second he brought to trial for dishonesty, who was defended by Lutatius Catulus, at that time censor, a man very consid- erable for his office, but yet more for his character, as he was eminent above all the Komans of that age for his reputed wisdom and integrity. He was also intimate with Cato, and much commended his way of living. So perceiving he could not bring off his client, if he stood a fair trial, he openly began to beg him off. Cato objected to his doing this. And when he continued still to be importunate, " It would be shameful, Catulus," he said, " that the censor, the judge of all our lives, should incur vol. iv. • 25