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Among the excellent Orders of that glorious Senate of Rome one was, that any Senator having a Right to speak to every Business in Debate, might instead of giving his Sentence to the present Question (if he had no mind to declare himself) propose any Thing else, that was in his Judgment e Republica, of
- ↑ The Rota was a Club of speculating Politicians in those Times of Confusion, when almost every Man unhappily thought it his Business to make or mend Government; and to this Butler alludes in his Hudibras.The Founder of it was James Harrington, Esq; who in the beginning of the civil War sided with the Presbyterians, and in 1646, went as a Volunteer with the Commissioners appointed by Parliament to go to the King at Newcastle to treat for a Peace and Settlement, and bring him nearer to London, who, taking a liking to Mr. Harrington's Conversation, admitted him a Groom of his Bedchamber, in which Attendance he continued till the King's Death. After that, thinking that Monarchy would never be restored, heBut Sidrophel, as full of Tricks
As Rota-Men of Politics.P. 2. C. 3. V. 1107.
